what is your favorite relgious Christmas carol?

I love that song...my son was born on Dec 26th St. Stephen's Day

It's rapidly disappearing from music lists but it is such a beautiful folk tune, and the spiritual aspect doesn't hammer anybody over the head.

It's just a very nice touch.

"Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen..."

Your son and I share a birthday.

I work for a main line denomination so every Christmas I get seriously slammed. We always kidded our son that we would buy him a toy for Christmas and the batteries for his birthday.

What we really did was have a very small party on the 26th for him and one friend (My wife and I were always trashed on the 26th.) and then a big huge birthday party on his half birthday on June 26th.

Merry Christmas and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!-Mike C

son on his birthday.

What part of the country are you from...I'm from Western Washington and we are having a rare major snow event...it's freaking everybody out. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!-Mike C

of this song. It's often just knocking back and forth in my inner ear.

I didn't know that many knew of this piece...it's not in the mainstream of Christmas carols.

can give me chills - if the right person is singing (like Mahalia Jackson).

Although, Michael Crawford of Phantom of the Opera fame does a really powerful version also. The thing about O Holy Night - if you hear it sung with its additional verses, it's really a beautiful song. Most omit the 2nd verse, but the better versions at least do the third verse, which I think is the loveliest one anyhow.

I saw your Cubs emblem...my very first real paycheck as child came from the Chicago Cubs organization. I live in Tacoma and we were their AAA ball team and I worked for the Tacoma Cubs as a ball shagger and then a press box aid..the checks came from Chicago.

that sounds like a cool first job. :D

"And the glory, the glory of the Lord" is the most inspiring chorus ever written IMO.

And I'm an agnostic.

Silent Night is my favorite carol. It's German. I was amused to hear Nina Totenberg singing it on NPR the other day.

I have the PERFECT version ... (reciting from memory..) Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Philharmonic, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Eileen Farrell, Martha Lipton, Davis Cunningham, and William Warfield. For years, I had it on open reel tape and couldn't find a better version so I kept the open reel tape player JUST to listen to that. I finally found it on CD.

http://www.amazon.com/Handel-Messiah-Mormon-Tabernacle/dp/B0000024OE/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_a

As I've noted before, I'm not at all trained in music and can't even play a comb and tissue paper very well. But this version of the Messiah is just very special. While purists might complain it's not complete, and maybe some would say it's done with too much 'schmaltz' ... I LOVE IT.

I doubt if four more talented singers, in concert, were ever assembled. Each soloist was at the top of their game ... and at the top of their profession.

But I definitely think of it as Christmas music, especially with "For unto us a child is born."

but it culminates with Easter, so that's why I think of it as an Easter piece

... the last half is about "lamb of God" and other crucifixion and resurrection events.

Perhaps the most influential (on my thinking) reason I think of it as Easter music is because of my time in high school and college singing in glee club and choir. We always did this around Easter ... and practice, practice, practice for the weeks leading up to it.

Uh-oh ... I guess I contradict myself now when I said I have no musical training. I guess I did. Sorta. I really don't have a very good voice -- very limited range -- hardly an octave, even. And I had to figure out how to read the music myself ... and even then I was dependent on the pitch pipe and listening to my baritone cohorts. I guess I still think of it as being akin to singing in the shower. I was never able to learn an instrument.

And he wrote the whole thing in just a few weeks.

This is my favorite

Nice rectative (sp) and lovely chorus to end.

Of course, then comes "For unto us" which is great, too.

I have been becoming less and less religious over the years, but a stirring rendition of Handel's Messiah can still bring me to tears.

but also feel it's an Easter piece...

It was a big part of my musical upbringing.

I love it, too. It's just so beautiful!

oh wait, you said carol...

nevermind.
dp

if it used as a serious Christmas song, otherwise it just makes me laugh.

The melody is just beautiful because it is in a minor key and sounds very ancient in a way that I can't quite figure out.

After that Joy To the World, and O Holy Night.

First learned it in Latin while in a boy choir in Germany. I am using it with the spoken Latin and English texts of the seven O Antiphons having the refrain sung and played on hand bells between each Antiphon and then the whole congregation is going to sing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" at the end of the readings and then we go into Christmas music.

my favorite since I was a child. I love the haunting melody and the minor key. For me it taps into the mysticism of the whole Christmas story.

Lyrics, midi:
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/h/lhowrose.htm

I first sung it as a boy soprano in Germany "Es Ist ein Rose Entsrungen"

There's nothing remotely like the song.

After seeing your post, I had to check to see if I could find a You Tube arrangement. Had to hear it again, immediately:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To4vtvMe5wo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkl0ivDthzY&feature=related

It's simply beautiful. I believe you were lucky to be able to sing it very well.

Best version EVER!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bIJrv7O0oE

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful, haunting tunes ever written.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1khUv74ETHs

For Christmas songs I love things that are otherworldly and folky, or things with interesting Renaissance harmonies.

Veni, veni Immanuel
Es ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen
Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning (in its cool modal version, here's the first one I found http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAk_te3mw7U )
Psallite Unigenito
Quem Pastores Laudavere http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRNwHsqE9rk

Sing it so loud with an awful voice. Only in my car of course.:)

I know one of the major xmas song is 'greensleeves'

... it's about yearning... all yearning songs make me weep...o o holy night makes me sing too... although It shouldn't






:)

...but then I like modal stuff.

peculiarly,
Bright

choosing. There are many that I love -most already mentioned here - The Coventry Carol, What Child is This, O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Do you hear what I hear?, The First Noel, The little drummer boy....

but I really, really LOVE "Ave Maria" by Schubert

Trans Siberian Orchestra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9DmSfufSQ&feature=related

Maybe it isn't technically a Christmas carol but it is my favorite Christmas song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aVDtapVnwo

I once heard a country version of Holy Night and it was dreadful.

I also really love Trans-Syberian Orchestra's AN ANGEL RETURNED:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B9LnDmKqrg

Or Leon Redbone.

:D

:hi:

http://suspended-in-gaffa.com/christmas/Christmas_HappyRhodes_TheKeep09_OhHolyNight.mp3

That's an authorized download. I'm not the artist but I have her permission to post it. If anyone wants to hear it before downloading they can go to this page

http://suspended-in-gaffa.com/happy/thekeep/

and scroll down to the 9th song.


If you backspace to the directory (http://suspended-in-gaffa.com/christmas/) there are lots of nice Christmas songs to listen to.

thanks

But I can listen to Jessye Norman sing O Holy Night over and over again. Just beautiful.

I love lot's of 'em.

It was sung at my dads funeral. It's one of those beautifully tragic songs for me. I still listen to it, but I can't help but get choked up.

... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce

Sometihing about that old video always puts me in the Christmas spirit.


B-)

was born two blocks away from where I live!

Loved it since I was a kid. It's kinda peppy.

Love the way Bearnaked Ladies plays it! -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVNzgUxE-g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxCckD_Nm30

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

It's beautiful.

I find lots of old hymnals at garage sales and thrift stores if you want to get a copy and have that hymn in hard print!

I'm trying to get my daughter to learn it on piano...and then teach me (by rote, since I can't read music.)

it's not a hard piece to play-good luck-and Merry Christmas-Mike C

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPHh3nMMu-I

She does a bit in Latin. Minimal accompaniment.

:evilgrin:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With Peace on earth, good will to men."

If you'd like to listen to it as well, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kymb24kclXQ

Julie

Barenaked Ladies - God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/We Three Kings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVNzgUxE-g

They do an incredible rendition!! ~~~~

I also like Good King Wenceslas.

Favorite Christmas cd? Celtic Woman is probably the best I've ever heard.

I prefer it in Latin though (Adeste Fidelis.) Next would be 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'. I seem to be fond of the anthem/processional types of songs.

It's more contemporary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg

Has covered a boatload of English carols over the past 20 years. My favorite is her version of "Joseph Dearest".

I also like "Bring the Torch, Jeanette Isabella".

...was on Christmas Eve and everyone was standing in the church. The service had not started yet and the priest and accolytes were just outside of the meeting room. This was a small, New England church without the numerous side rooms of a cathedral. The room was decked out in greenery and pointsettas. Then the organ would begin and as the procession took the first step into the room, the choir began "O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant...."

I always thought it would make a good wedding march for a December wedding.

It is something I would still do if the church did not take such a negative view of people who are convinced there is no god.

P.S. And my favorite recorded rendition is from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

I don't know if that counts as religious or not.

.
.

~~~>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVNzgUxE-g

"I'm a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring, that's fit to give our King" - is the verse that always chokes me up.

Jack Jones' version this time of year when we were growing up. Beautiful song.

"Pray for peace, people everwhere."

Okay, it's not religious or a carol, but it seriously rocks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjaPXihbORk

Even before Transsiberian (sp?) Orchestra took it and ran with it, always loved it for the musicality.

Just for musical reasons (Holst and Praetorius, respectively)

Had to go look it up, knowing how beautiful your other song choice is, and was amazed by this song I just heard. Tears poured down the face. The music is wonderful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRobryliBLQ

Thank you.

with good harmony...I have used it every year I was a church choir director

"This Christmas" by various performers, "Let It Snow" by Boyz II Men, "The Christmas Song" by Toni Braxton

Went to the community Messiah Sing-Along a week ago and fell in love with all of it all over again.

To all who light a candle in the darkness of this winter and this world:

Merry Christmas to all.
Happiness from Solstice to Solstice.
Happy Hanukkah.

Hekate

"The Holly & the Ivy" and "Go Tell It On the Mountain"


Holly & Ivy lyrics:

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown:
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.

The holly bears a blossom,
As white as lily flow'r,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our dear Saviour: Refrain
The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To do poor sinners good: Refrain

The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
On Christmas Day in the morn: Refrain

The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as the gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
For to redeem us all: Refrain

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown: Refrain

I always liked that one too.

The Angel Gabriel an old French carol
Mary, did you Know? modern song, but quite interesting
Away in a Manger not the usual version (and not an improvement)
Gesu Bambino simply beautiful
O Come All Ye Faithful traditional
Do You Hear What I Hear I've heard this one too much and am tired of it
Breath of Heaven for some perverse reason, this reminds me of Brittany Spears
Silent Night fortunately, no one can mess this up
Peace Child a modern monstrosity
O Holy Night my absolute favorite
Joy to the Worldnot the Three Dog Night version

That looks like a line up of songs from when I directed at either a Catholic or an Episcopal Church sounds great! Sometimes I wish I was still directing..I do liturgical consulting so I don't get to sing or direct a choir anymore,but I do a lot of solo work tho...in fact I am soloing the Prophecy of Isaiah tonight.

And I can only wish our choir director was a little more aggressive in trying to hold the line against the likes of Haugen, Haas, Joncas and the overwhelming influence of OCP.

The day we sing Palestrina, deLassus, Haydn, Bach etc. will be the day I drop dead from shock.

I'm with you..I live in Tacoma, Washington and OCP is all over the place...that stuff is fine for a normal regular (Ordinary Time Sunday) as far as I am concerned...but for a major festival of the church...no! I was in a Boy choir (based in Rome) that traveled all over the world...from that I learned that if you teach a child and constantly expose them to good music then they will appreciate it as an adult.

For the children's service, I lighten up and I am using Mary's Boychild Still, Still Still in German, Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head and Angels We have Heard on High.

by him also "Magnum Mysterium"

I have loved that for forty years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOaPMMnKunY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-cAhz3OfUE&NR=1 (Tomas Luis de Victoria)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pnA2UzKAv0 (Lauridsen)

you must be involved with church music to know of those!

:)