In keeping with the festive spirit of the
holiday season I would be honored to share with you my twelve most favorite
Christmas songs. So, without further adieu, here is My Christmas playlist:
Song # 12-WE THREE KINGS as
performed by the piano guys
This is my favorite hymn I enjoy
singing in church because it has a somewhat regal feel to it. This rather
solemn tune was written by a reverend in 1857 that I can sing without
embarrassing myself
Favorite line: “guide us to thy perfect light.”
Song #11-HARK THE HERALD ANGELS
SING as performed by Carrie Underwood
It’s just not Christmas until this
classic is sung. Written originally by Charles Wesley in 1739, however it took
three other men and over a hundred more years till it become the piece we
traditionally sing today. It is a song so synonymous with Christmas that it is
featured in three of the most classic Christmas specials of all time:
Charlie Brown Christmas, the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol and It’s
a Wonderful Life.
Favorite line: “Mild he (Jesus) lays his glory by, born that man no more
may die.”
Song #10-MARY DID YOU KNOW as
performed by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd
Thought I would include this one
because it is one of my wife’s favorites. It was written in 1984 by Christian
comedian, Mark Lowry who wrote it for his church play that year. This song
epitomizes what Mary could have thought while she was holding the baby Jesus on
that first Christmas. Like a modern day Silent Night it makes you reflect about
the true meaning of Christmas.
Favorite line: “This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you.”
Song #9-HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS
as performed by Burl Ives
How can you go wrong with something
so upbeat that begs you to dance and sing along? Written in 1964 by composer
Johnny Marks it became famous when it was featured in the animated Christmas
special, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which he wrote as well. Who
else but Burl can get away with using the word holly jolly, all the while
making it timeless.
Favorite
line: “say hello to friends you know and
everyone you meet”
Song # 8- THE CHRISTMAS SONG as performed by Johnny Mathis
This song fondly reminds me of my youth when
during the Christmas season my mom and I would set the table together as this
tune would play in the background. The most unique thing about this song was it
was written by Mel Torme’ in 1944 during a blistering hot summer in an effort
to think cool. For my liking, Johnny Mathis’ distinctive vocals soothe my soul
and put me in the mood for Christmas as he croons effortlessly about chestnuts roasting on an
open fire.
Favorite Line : "Although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you."Song # 7: SANTA LOOKED A LOT LIKE DADDY as performed by Buck Owens.
This particular odd favorite came
from a cassette tape my dad made about fifteen years ago. My most cherished
memories of this song are of my eldest daughter and my dad singing it non-stop
whenever they were together during December. Long before country legend Buck
Owens was the quirky host of Hee Haw, he wrote this song in 1965 with his
trusted guitarist, Don Rich. Great thing about this relatively unknown song,
you can’t sing it out of key to it.
Favorite line:“Santa looked like daddy or daddy
looked like him, it's not the way I had him pictured, Santa was a much too
thin.”
Song # 6: LINUS AND LUCY as performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio
This is my favorite Christmas tune I
can’t help but hum along to during this time of the year, no matter where I
might be. Jazz musician, Vince Guaraldi came up with this catchy piece for the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Funny
thing was that the network executives did not like this song or the other
renderings at all, but fortunately the public did. My favorite scene is the one
when the Peanuts’ gang is supposed to be acting in the play and instead is
dancing to this tune. Sadly, the kids ‘style of dancing is far superior to my
own lack of rhythm, so I must stick to humming.
Favorite dance move: The sleepwalking one performed by the kid in the green
shirt known as Shermy.
Song # 5: LITTLE DRUMMER BOY as
performed by Johnny Cash.
This song comes from my childhood
when my brothers and I would listen to one of my dad’s old Johnny Cash vinyl
records and just couldn’t get enough of those pa-rum-pa-pum-pums. This
particular favorite was written in 1941 by American composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott
Davis. For my money, it best sums up how we all should see Christmas, that
being through the eyes of a child.
Favorite line: “ I played my best for
Him(Jesus). Then, He smiled at me, me and my drum.”
That concludes my list for now. I’ll
be back soon with my top four favorite Christmas songs. So, have a merry and
meaningful day as you and your family celebrate Christ’s birth at this sacred
time of the year.
Swavel
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