Follow the Leader: Episode 52: Christmas Carols and Christmas Trees!
Martinex1: Less than a week until Christmas, so give us something special this Tuesday! We will follow the leader ... so bring us a topic of Bronze Age cheer!
24 comments:
Anonymous
said...
OK, 2 questions 'cause it's Christmas:
1) What are your favorite Christmas carols ? No pop songs, just carols!
Good King Wenceslas The Holly And The Ivy In Dulci Jubilo We Three Kings Of Orient Are Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen Still, Still, Still Gaudete O Little Town Of Bethlehem (I think the British version has a different tune to the American carol)
2) I don't have a tree at all, just candles, but you can't beat the look and smell of a real tree. On the other hand, an artificial tree can be used year after year so is "greener" than a real tree. But the idea of a fir tree representing Christmas only goes back to the 19th century (but earlier in Germany) - Christmas existed for many centuries without the need for a fir tree in a pot!
O Holy Night. The USA's first Christmas song that was written in the USA I think around 125 years ago. It was written by a French man (which is a "two-fer" in my household, lol, given my wife is from France).
As we approach Christmas, I prefer the artificial tree. I'm not watching the tree die and the needles fall, wondering if it will catch fire somehow...
I think I learned a few weeks ago that Xmas generally was really not celebrated until the late 1800s? (Easter was the liturgical event of the year.) And then in the UK and the northeast USA, they really tried to mute the event. It had apparently become a drunken and aggressive event b/c poorer folks went around caroling for food, liquor, and money (?) hand-in-hand with drunkenness and severe vandalism if not satiated. The carol "We wish You a Merry Christmas," where the verse goes "we won't go until we get some," meant exactly that, lol.
I like every song on Nat King Cole's Christmas Album. Every track is a gem, and that man's voice is from heaven above.
Real trees for 51 years running. As I age we may switch to something artificial, but as long as I still have kids in the house (my oldest off to college next year, sniff sniff) it will be real.
Of course, I am forever finding and removing pine needles well into the following summer...
I am partial to the more traditional carols like “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night”. But also the songs from “Rudolph” like “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas”. I also like “Little Drummer Boy”.
We mainly have had artificial trees over the years. As a kid we had silver and gold metallic trees that spun and played carols. A spotlight shown on the tree changed colors of yellow, blue, red and green. It had mirrors beneath it instead of a tree skirt. It was quite the Disco Christmas for us. Fond memories.
1. Of traditional carols, "O Holy Night" tops my list. I've always been touched by the story of WW1 troops on both sides in the trenches pausing to sing that together. Also like Boney M 'S version of "Mary's Boy Child".
We always have an artificial tree, although we have had a few live ones in the past.
Everyone has a moral obligation to show their kids, grandkids, neighbor kids, whomever, The Little Drummer Boy. Rudolph, Frosty... (Thanks for the reminder Marti!)
I was in the car last year with some of my kids' friends and not a one of them knew the story thought they all knew the song. (Charlie's kids knew the story and the song being the traditionalist!)
Please - share the story... it's dying like many things from our generation but there's a chance if we share it! Be a secret Santa and mail them the DVD!
Charlie, share what story ? I'm a bit confused by your comment.
Redartz, didn't the troops in the trenches sing "Silent Night" - or am I thinking of a different event ? At Christmas 1914 the German and British troops had a truce and played football - it's quite a famous event from World War I.
A few days ago I was watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special on YouTube and one of the comments claimed it had made real trees popular again after years of decline (because Charlie chooses a real tree).
Charlie, the modern Christmas is mostly a 19th century invention. Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert (who was German), made the Christmas tree popular beyond Germany. Christmas cards were invented in the 1840s and many of the most famous carols were written in the 19th century. Christmas was made respectable and family-oriented and less of a drunken revelry as in previous times. And, of course, the modern image of Santa was made famous by Coca-Cola in the 1930s.
HI, I meant share the stories of Christmas favs like Drummer Boy, Frosty, Rudolph, Charlie Brown...
What I have found is that the kids know the songs, just b/c we have radio stations that play Xmas 24 x 7 from November - January. Mom / Dad tune in the radio station and the kids, not old enough yet for "their own music" learn the tunes.
But for video... well it ain't just the big-3 networks and the kids watch all kinds of different things and never see the Drummer Boy, Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie, etc. At least, that's how I've come to understand how 99% of my kids' friends know the songs but not the stories.
I mean, what an epiphany and joy to see Vince Guiraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" jazz album put to 20-minute film!
Charlie I agree. How can kids not see “Year Wothout a Santa Claus” and not be exposed to Heat Miser and Snow Miser?
Colin I heard that story about live trees and Charlie Brown as well. In the early 60s aluminum trees were all the rage.
Charlie -On a somewhat related note of not letting the past disappear - but of another era - how about old radio programs? I found some sites where you can listen to hundreds of programs from mystery to suspense to comedy. Tons of fun.
Colin J- yes, it was the Christmas Truce of 1914 I was referring to. From most accounts I've read, numerous carols were shared among the opposing troops. Time Magazine refers to the singing,among others, of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful ". "O Holy Night" was mentioned in the tale when I first heard the story as a youth. So I'm not certain if that specific Carol was involved, but it stayed poignantly in my memories. At any rate, it's a beautiful historical moment, and a beautiful Carol...
Charlie and Redartz, you mentioned "O Holy Night" and this very day there's a documentary on BBC Radio-4 about that carol written by Adolphe Adam (I didn't know who wrote it till today). I'll download the documentary to my tablet and listen to it at a convenient time (it's available to download for the next 30 days).
I know BITBA avoids politics but I'm curious about Donald Trump's claim that he "brought back Christmas". Is this year different from previous years ? Do Americans say "Merry Christmas" now rather than "Happy Holidays" ? Or is there no change ? In the UK the term Happy Holidays never caught on despite us being a multi-cultural society.
Colin J- to answer your question (in the most non-political spirit I can :) )... Some folks say "Merry Christmas ", some say "Happy Holidays". I've said both, and neither I nor anyone I know has ever had any problem with either. So I see no difference now from any other year. Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!
What's your fav OTR sites? I was generally listening to Radio Antioch 1710, which is just up the road a piece from you and me, not that it matters with the internet. But my only problem with the site is that the lineup when I go to bed has always been the same for the last 3 -4 years - they play 1 or 2 horus of "The Whistler." I like The Whistler but as they say, "Variety is the spice of life." It'd be nice if they'd mix up the later hours like they do in the morning.
Regarding our President's statements about anything, well... But, I really have not seen anything change.
Like Red, I alternate my greetings depending on the situation. If it's an obviously "Merry Christmas" crowd, then it's "Merry Christmas." O/wise I go with "Happy Holidays."
I know some who insist on "Merry Christmas."
Anyhow, this Friday we will welcome around 50 persons from our neighborhood into our house. Our area is fairly "ethnic" with a lot of non-USA-born folks. We will have Muslim Pakis, Hindu Indians, Catholic Lithuanians and Poles, an atheist Chinese... (sorry - no one from the UK nor any who read comics, lol). It's actually the non-christians who say "Merry Christmas" the most, it seems. They also put out a lot of Christmas lights on their houses. Go figure... I guess they love the "season" too.
Allow Charlie a "Moment of Silence" I just lost a bid for a Jack Cole Plastic Man #31 from 1951 on ebay for $11 in VG condition. Jack Cole! I was just horsing around and put in a $10.50 bid figuring if it went that cheap I'll find the room fully expecting it to sell for much more. The sound you hear is my head banging on my desk, lol!
@Charlie and Martinex: I haven't sampled any, but I know Archive.org has lots of old radio shows for free downloading, but maybe you're already familiar with that particular site?
Mike and Charlie - I like www.oldradioworld.com. You can listen to drama, mystery, suspense, sci-fi, comedy etc. There are some really good shows and some weird ones out there.
I like “The Whistler” too. But I’m also liking some of the oddball stuff like “Baby Snooks,” “Dr Dan Danger” “Johnny Dollar,” “Planet Man” “Blue Beetle” etc. The site also has full series dramas like “A Canticle for Leibowitz,” The post-apocalyptic sci-fi tale.
I’ve been listening every night. Much to choose from. I always look back at the times as being nostalgically more peaceful and civilized, so it’s interesting to hear the stories with murder, mayhem, adultery, corruption, violence etc. And some of the humor is just great - stellar and timely despite the decades that have passed.
I'll have to check out oldworldradio! I been wanting to hear a Shadow for a while, now! Mike - I have to check out your site too!Thanks for the tips!
This may sound goofy but one of my preferences is where I "take what the radio gives me" vs. "picking what I want to listen to." So I am a little sheepish about just listening to what I want to listen to.
I dig Johnny Dollar. One of the better shows for sure. Humor wise I really enjoy Jack Benny, The Bickersons, and some Bob Hope WW II stuff like when he is broadcasting from the front in England or France. It amazes me how their humor still works 75 years later. Serious guffawing going on with Charlie.
You know... that's why I got tired of the Whistler... always murder, adultery, murder, adultery. Well, much of the Old Testament is like that too, and it's 3,500 years old. Not much has changed in some respects?
Carols- GOOD KING WENCASLAS , JOY TO THE WORLD, LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
Tree- No tree the last couple of years. Had artificial for about 10 years. Before that natural for another decade. When I was a kid for a span of about 4 years we had one of those aluminum silver colored fake trees. We also used that rotating color lamp under it that changed the tree to 3 different colors. What can I say it was the early 70's.
Greetings All..., thanks for the great columns, I just found out my work network firewall is now blocking my ability to post here.. it started about 2 wks ago. So if you've missed my (hopefully) witty and insightful comments here, I have too..!!!
I'll strive to check in every so often after-hours or weekends..., but **very** annoying.
24 comments:
OK, 2 questions 'cause it's Christmas:
1) What are your favorite Christmas carols ? No pop songs, just carols!
2) Which is best - real tree or fake tree ?
1) I like all carols but I especially like:
Good King Wenceslas
The Holly And The Ivy
In Dulci Jubilo
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
Still, Still, Still
Gaudete
O Little Town Of Bethlehem (I think the British version has a different tune to the American carol)
2) I don't have a tree at all, just candles, but you can't beat the look and smell of a real tree. On the other hand, an artificial tree can be used year after year so is "greener" than a real tree. But the idea of a fir tree representing Christmas only goes back to the 19th century (but earlier in Germany) - Christmas existed for many centuries without the need for a fir tree in a pot!
O Holy Night. The USA's first Christmas song that was written in the USA I think around 125 years ago. It was written by a French man (which is a "two-fer" in my household, lol, given my wife is from France).
As we approach Christmas, I prefer the artificial tree. I'm not watching the tree die and the needles fall, wondering if it will catch fire somehow...
I think I learned a few weeks ago that Xmas generally was really not celebrated until the late 1800s? (Easter was the liturgical event of the year.) And then in the UK and the northeast USA, they really tried to mute the event. It had apparently become a drunken and aggressive event b/c poorer folks went around caroling for food, liquor, and money (?) hand-in-hand with drunkenness and severe vandalism if not satiated. The carol "We wish You a Merry Christmas," where the verse goes "we won't go until we get some," meant exactly that, lol.
I like every song on Nat King Cole's Christmas Album. Every track is a gem, and that man's voice is from heaven above.
Real trees for 51 years running. As I age we may switch to something artificial, but as long as I still have kids in the house (my oldest off to college next year, sniff sniff) it will be real.
Of course, I am forever finding and removing pine needles well into the following summer...
Yoyo
I am partial to the more traditional carols like “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night”. But also the songs from “Rudolph” like “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas”. I also like “Little Drummer Boy”.
We mainly have had artificial trees over the years. As a kid we had silver and gold metallic trees that spun and played carols. A spotlight shown on the tree changed colors of yellow, blue, red and green. It had mirrors beneath it instead of a tree skirt. It was quite the Disco Christmas for us. Fond memories.
For carols, Good King Wenceslas, Jingle Bells, and Deck the Halls. For trees, fake definitely. Way easier to "care for" and no needles to clean up.
1. Of traditional carols, "O Holy Night" tops my list. I've always been touched by the story of WW1 troops on both sides in the trenches pausing to sing that together.
Also like Boney M 'S version of "Mary's Boy Child".
We always have an artificial tree, although we have had a few live ones in the past.
Oh, Marti- I LOVE those aluminum trees with the color wheel...
Dudes!
Everyone has a moral obligation to show their kids, grandkids, neighbor kids, whomever, The Little Drummer Boy. Rudolph, Frosty... (Thanks for the reminder Marti!)
I was in the car last year with some of my kids' friends and not a one of them knew the story thought they all knew the song. (Charlie's kids knew the story and the song being the traditionalist!)
Please - share the story... it's dying like many things from our generation but there's a chance if we share it! Be a secret Santa and mail them the DVD!
Charlie, share what story ? I'm a bit confused by your comment.
Redartz, didn't the troops in the trenches sing "Silent Night" - or am I thinking of a different event ? At Christmas 1914 the German and British troops had a truce and played football - it's quite a famous event from World War I.
A few days ago I was watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special on YouTube and one of the comments claimed it had made real trees popular again after years of decline (because Charlie chooses a real tree).
Charlie, the modern Christmas is mostly a 19th century invention. Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert (who was German), made the Christmas tree popular beyond Germany. Christmas cards were invented in the 1840s and many of the most famous carols were written in the 19th century. Christmas was made respectable and family-oriented and less of a drunken revelry as in previous times. And, of course, the modern image of Santa was made famous by Coca-Cola in the 1930s.
HI, I meant share the stories of Christmas favs like Drummer Boy, Frosty, Rudolph, Charlie Brown...
What I have found is that the kids know the songs, just b/c we have radio stations that play Xmas 24 x 7 from November - January. Mom / Dad tune in the radio station and the kids, not old enough yet for "their own music" learn the tunes.
But for video... well it ain't just the big-3 networks and the kids watch all kinds of different things and never see the Drummer Boy, Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie, etc. At least, that's how I've come to understand how 99% of my kids' friends know the songs but not the stories.
I mean, what an epiphany and joy to see Vince Guiraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" jazz album put to 20-minute film!
So... send the kids the videos!
Charlie I agree. How can kids not see “Year Wothout a Santa Claus” and not be exposed to Heat Miser and Snow Miser?
Colin I heard that story about live trees and Charlie Brown as well. In the early 60s aluminum trees were all the rage.
Charlie -On a somewhat related note of not letting the past disappear - but of another era - how about old radio programs? I found some sites where you can listen to hundreds of programs from mystery to suspense to comedy. Tons of fun.
Colin J- yes, it was the Christmas Truce of 1914 I was referring to. From most accounts I've read, numerous carols were shared among the opposing troops. Time Magazine refers to the singing,among others, of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful ". "O Holy Night" was mentioned in the tale when I first heard the story as a youth. So I'm not certain if that specific Carol was involved, but it stayed poignantly in my memories. At any rate, it's a beautiful historical moment, and a beautiful Carol...
Charlie and Redartz, you mentioned "O Holy Night" and this very day there's a documentary on BBC Radio-4 about that carol written by Adolphe Adam (I didn't know who wrote it till today). I'll download the documentary to my tablet and listen to it at a convenient time (it's available to download for the next 30 days).
I know BITBA avoids politics but I'm curious about Donald Trump's claim that he "brought back Christmas". Is this year different from previous years ? Do Americans say "Merry Christmas" now rather than "Happy Holidays" ? Or is there no change ? In the UK the term Happy Holidays never caught on despite us being a multi-cultural society.
Colin J- to answer your question (in the most non-political spirit I can :) )...
Some folks say "Merry Christmas ", some say "Happy Holidays". I've said both, and neither I nor anyone I know has ever had any problem with either. So I see no difference now from any other year.
Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!
Hi Marti,
What's your fav OTR sites? I was generally listening to Radio Antioch 1710, which is just up the road a piece from you and me, not that it matters with the internet. But my only problem with the site is that the lineup when I go to bed has always been the same for the last 3 -4 years - they play 1 or 2 horus of "The Whistler." I like The Whistler but as they say, "Variety is the spice of life." It'd be nice if they'd mix up the later hours like they do in the morning.
Hi Colin,
Regarding our President's statements about anything, well... But, I really have not seen anything change.
Like Red, I alternate my greetings depending on the situation. If it's an obviously "Merry Christmas" crowd, then it's "Merry Christmas." O/wise I go with "Happy Holidays."
I know some who insist on "Merry Christmas."
Anyhow, this Friday we will welcome around 50 persons from our neighborhood into our house. Our area is fairly "ethnic" with a lot of non-USA-born folks. We will have Muslim Pakis, Hindu Indians, Catholic Lithuanians and Poles, an atheist Chinese... (sorry - no one from the UK nor any who read comics, lol). It's actually the non-christians who say "Merry Christmas" the most, it seems. They also put out a lot of Christmas lights on their houses. Go figure... I guess they love the "season" too.
Allow Charlie a "Moment of Silence" I just lost a bid for a Jack Cole Plastic Man #31 from 1951 on ebay for $11 in VG condition. Jack Cole! I was just horsing around and put in a $10.50 bid figuring if it went that cheap I'll find the room fully expecting it to sell for much more. The sound you hear is my head banging on my desk, lol!
@Charlie and Martinex: I haven't sampled any, but I know Archive.org has lots of old radio shows for free downloading, but maybe you're already familiar with that particular site?
Mike and Charlie - I like www.oldradioworld.com. You can listen to drama, mystery, suspense, sci-fi, comedy etc. There are some really good shows and some weird ones out there.
I like “The Whistler” too. But I’m also liking some of the oddball stuff like “Baby Snooks,” “Dr Dan Danger” “Johnny Dollar,” “Planet Man” “Blue Beetle” etc. The site also has full series dramas like “A Canticle for Leibowitz,” The post-apocalyptic sci-fi tale.
I’ve been listening every night. Much to choose from. I always look back at the times as being nostalgically more peaceful and civilized, so it’s interesting to hear the stories with murder, mayhem, adultery, corruption, violence etc. And some of the humor is just great - stellar and timely despite the decades that have passed.
I'll have to check out oldworldradio! I been wanting to hear a Shadow for a while, now! Mike - I have to check out your site too!Thanks for the tips!
This may sound goofy but one of my preferences is where I "take what the radio gives me" vs. "picking what I want to listen to." So I am a little sheepish about just listening to what I want to listen to.
I dig Johnny Dollar. One of the better shows for sure. Humor wise I really enjoy Jack Benny, The Bickersons, and some Bob Hope WW II stuff like when he is broadcasting from the front in England or France. It amazes me how their humor still works 75 years later. Serious guffawing going on with Charlie.
You know... that's why I got tired of the Whistler... always murder, adultery, murder, adultery. Well, much of the Old Testament is like that too, and it's 3,500 years old. Not much has changed in some respects?
Carols- GOOD KING WENCASLAS , JOY TO THE WORLD, LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
Tree- No tree the last couple of years. Had artificial for about 10 years. Before that natural for another decade. When I was a kid for a span of about 4 years we had one of those aluminum silver colored fake trees. We also used that rotating color lamp under it that changed the tree to 3 different colors. What can I say it was the early 70's.
Greetings All..., thanks for the great columns, I just found out my work network firewall is now blocking my ability to post here.. it started about 2 wks ago. So if you've missed my (hopefully) witty and insightful comments here, I have too..!!!
I'll strive to check in every so often after-hours or weekends..., but **very** annoying.
Ciao.
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