Songs for your Christmas tree
The Statler Brothers
 Time Life Treasury of Christmas  Time Life Treasury of Christmas Volume 2 |
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Before long, she would have accumulated a veritable aviary as well as a teeming crowd of musicians, dancing ladies, athletic noblemen, industrious milkmaids (and their cows), not to mention a small orchard of pear trees and 40 gold rings. This recording is from the 1940s and features The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus/Peter knight, Conductor. Look for Christmas records: DeeJays Records at eBay |
Day 1 · A Song and a Christmas Tree In 1605, an anonymous citizen of Strassburg wrote:
“At Christmas they set up fir trees in the parlours…and they hang thereon roses cut out of many-coloured paper, apples, wafers, gold foil, sweets, etc.”
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries the Weinachtsbaum was a central feature of German celebrations. In The 1840s, the custom was adopted in England and, later, in America.
O Christmas Tree · The John McCarthy Chorale
“O Christmas Tree” is an old tradional German carol.
Brenda Lee was only 13 years old when she recorded this song in 1958. The song’s composer was Johnny Marks, the same fellow who gave us “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree · Brenda Lee
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Day 2 · Two candy canes Christmas candy, sugar plums, ginger bread, cookies, and hot chocolate. Here’s a song for your holiday sweet tooth. This is from the movie “The Polar Express.”
Hot Chocolate · Tom Hanks
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Day 3 · Three boughs of holly Greenery—fir, bay laurel, holly, ivy, mistletoe, rosemary—has been associated with celebrations, religious and secular, throughout the ages. There is little wonder that it is firmly a part of our Christmas traditions.
A Holly Jolly Christmas · Burl Ives
Have A Holly Jolly Christmas · MP3
One of the most familiar of Welsh carols is the evocative “Deck The Halls,” a sprightly secular carol that enumerates many of the Yuletide symbols associated with festivities in the British Isles, including boughs of holly and the traditional Yule log.
Deck The Halls · Mannheim Steamroller (instrumental)
Day 4 · Four colored lights Colored lights are a more modern form of seasonal decoration. Back in the ’60s, when I was a kid, my brother and I had the responsibility of hanging the Christmas lights on the front of the house a few weeks before the holiday. This consisted of climbing ladders and scaling the rooftop to install two long strings of colored lights along the eves. Red, blue, green, yellow, and white bulbs: installed, tested, and replaced as needed. The living room had a bay window that we opened on evenings before Christmas to display our color-changing aluminium Christmas tree. We were proud of our simple, but effective display.
Then one year a new neighbor moved into the house across the street. The man (Mr. Smith) owned a car dealership. We boys were particularly interested when he began to have his house decorated for the season. He employed professionals to do the job. They covered the entire house with red-colored lights. They installed a tree in the front yard that was large enough to rival many small town municipal Christmas trees. It too was coverd with bright lights. A simulated team of reindeer were placed upon the roof. Now we expected them to place a big sleigh full of toys and gifts behind the reindeer. But he surprised us. A big crane drove up to his house and precisely placed a beautiful candy red Renault convertible automobile full of packages atop his home.
For about two weeks, Mr. Smith employed an off duty policeman to convincingly portray Santa Claus and to hand out giant candy peppermint sticks to the carloads of folks that lined the street every night.
This is a fact. Every little kid in our neighborhood believed!
Believe · Josh Groban
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Day 5 · A shining star The fifth day brings us a shining star and music to remind us of the nativity.
One of the most beloved Christmas songs, “Silent Night” was composed in 1818.
Silent Night · The Lennon Sisters
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This track is from The Lettermen’s 1966 album For Christmas This Year.O Holy Night · The Lettermen
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Day 6 · Little silver bells Bells are a big part of Christmas. There is an old Slavic legend that at the stroke of midnight on the night that Christ was born, his birth was heralded by a miraculous ringing of every bell throughout the world.
This version of “Carol of the Bells” is from the million-seller 1958 album “Sing We Now of Christmas” by the Harry Simeone Chorale.
Carol of the Bells · Harry Simeone Chorale
Now, a tune about Christmas in the big city. “Silver Bells” was written in 1950 by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston, and was introduced by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the film The Lemon Drop Kid. Bing Crosby recorded his popular version that same year, and since then the song has been sung at Christmas by pop stars and school children alike. Perry Como recorded this version in 1968.
Silver Bells · Perry Como
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Bing Crosby recorded “Jingle Bells” with the Andrews Sisters in 1943.
Jingle Bells · Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters
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This song has sold millions of copies over the years. It was recorded in 1957 by country singer Bobby Helms, who had racked up two giant hits, “Fraulein” and “My Special Angel,” just a few months before. “Jingle Bell Rock” was the high point of Bobby’s career — and one of the best-selling hits of the 1950s.
Jingle Bell Rock · Bobby Helms
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With Bells On · Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
Once Upon A Christmas
Day 7 · Candles aglowing Think of yourself as a candle.
By yourself, perhaps, you may think you shine but a tiny, paltry light. But with the combined flames of many other people’s candles, we can all light the world. Give some of your time and/or money to help others. Every tiny gift helps. Some of my suggestions
One Little Candle · Chicago
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Day 8 · Gold and silver tinsel Gold was one of the gifts of the wise men. Gold and silver decorations adorn Christmas trees everywhere. (Here too.) “Silver And Gold” is another Johnny Marks song.
Silver And Gold · Vanessa Williams
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Day 9 · A guardian angel There is an angel in us all.
In the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” George Bailey’s guardian angel, Clarence, teaches George a valuable lesson: Everyone’s life is important because it touches so many other lives. No one is a failure who has friends. This is a reminder to us to be a friend and to nurture friendships. Be a guardian angel to someone else. Ring a bell. This song is from a Target Stores advertising campaign from a few years ago.
Another Angel Gets His Wings · Trisha Yearwood; Vince Gill
Day 10 · Some Mistletoe Some Christmas songs are great for a laugh. Here are a few.
This classic children’s tune started out as a promotional pamphlet for the Montgomery Ward department store in 1939. The story was written by Robert L. May. Ten years later composer Johnny Marks turned “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” into a song. It was recorded by Western star Gene Autry, who cut a version that reached number 1 on the pop charts. Bing Crosby recorded his version which reached number 14 the next year. A third version by Spike Jones and his City Slickers was also a hit in 1950. Then in 1960, The Chipmunks brought “Rudolph” back up the charts for a fourth time.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer · Gene Autry
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One of the co-writers of this next song was a fellow named Roy Bennett. The song came about when he was inspired by an accident one of his daughters had (she spilled ink on a carpet). The authors added a bit of embroidery and came up with “Nuttin’ For Christmas”. Five versions of the song all became chart hits in 1955. This was one popular version.
Nuttin’ For Christmas · Stan Freberg
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“Merry Christmas from the Family” is a holiday song written by Country artist Robert Earl Keen. He first recorded it in 1994.
This popular version was recorded by Montgomery Gentry.
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Merry Christmas From The Family · Montgomery Gentry
“Santa Baby” was originally recorded in 1953, by Eartha Kitt, and it was a big hit. Many other artists have covered it, but my favorite version is Madonna’s.
Santa Baby · Madonna
Buy MP3 · Madonna CDsIn the late ’70s and early ’80s, Elmo and Patsy recorded a couple of versions of this popular novelty song.
Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer · Elmo and Patsy
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Day 10 brings mistletoe and this song by Spike Jones, whose popular comedy songs of the 1940s helped get Americans through World War II. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” was a top hit in 1952.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus · Spike Jones and His City Slickers/George Rock, Vocal
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Day 11 · Gifts for one and all Spike Jones and His City Slickers (Day #10, above) had more than one Christmas hit. In 1947, “(All I Want For Christmas Is) My Two Front Teeth” peaked at number one. But in Christmas songs, the gift that most of us seem to want most is love.
Recorded in 1994, Mariah Carey’s mega Christmas hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” makes it clear that she does not care about Christmas presents under her tree; all she wants for Christmas is to be with her lover.
All I Want For Christmas Is You · Mariah Carey
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The exact same sentiment is expressed in this big hit from Vince Vance And The Valiants recorded in 1989. It is a totally different song though.
All I Want For Christmas Is You · Vince Vance and The Valiants (Lisa Layne, vocal)
Vince Vance and The Valiants; Lisa Layne CDs
In 1991, Jim Brickman’s “The Gift” reminds us, also, that love is the greatest gift.
The Gift · Jim Brickman
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Day 12 · All their good wishes “Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad…” However you wish to say it, the twelfth day brings all our good wishes. “Mele Kalikimaka” is Hawaii’s way to say it.
Mele Kalikimaka · Jimmy Buffett
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And now, I wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous new year.
This beautiful version of José Feliciano’s song is from a mid ’90s Christmas cd distributed by the Dallas, Texas radio station KVIL (103.7).
Feliz Navidad · Leticia Hernandez
Remember the lessons from the 12 days of Christmas: believe, light a candle, ring a bell, laugh, and give the gift of love.
