As always, she has an interesting mix this year::
Simple Song from Mass Leonard Bernstein-
MASS is a musical theatre work composed by Leonard Bernstein with text by Bernstein and additional text and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy, it premiered on September 8, 1971, conducted by Maurice Peress. The performance was part of the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
We Three Kings -
We Three Kings was composed in 1857 by American clergyman and hymnodist, John Henry Hopkins Jr., stands out for its vivid storytelling, offering a perspective from the Magi, or Wise Men, who traveled to see the newborn Jesus. The carol's lyrics describe their journey, gifts, and adoration, while the music complements the reverence of the scene. The song has been recorded by many artists over the years, and it remains a popular Christmas carol to this day.
O Holy Night - Josh Groban
This carol has the distinction of being the first song ever to be played live on a radio broadcast. On December 24, 1906 a Canadian inventor, Reginald Fessenden, broadcast one of the first ever AM radio programs, and the first ever to feature entertainment and music for a general audience, from his Brant Rock, Massachusetts station. After playing Handel's Largo on an Ediphone phonograph, he proceeded to play O Holy Night on his violin, singing the last verse as he played. He finished the broadcast by reading various passages from the Gospel of Luke, before wishing his listeners a Merry Christmas.
Silent Night in various languages -
The music was originally written in 1818, but a young priest named Father Joseph Mohr had written the lyrics — a six-stanza poem — two years earlier while working at a pilgrimage church in Mariapfarr, Austria. The song was written in German, and the title was Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht.
Carol of the Bells –
Most people automatically associate Carol of the Bells with Christmas, but its origins tell a different story. It's actually based on a traditional Ukrainian folk chant that celebrated the season of rebirth and anticipated a prosperous New Year. In 1916, composer Mykola Leontovich borrowed the four-note melody for a new choir song called Shchedryk, which debuted in the US at Carnegie Hall in 1921. When American choir director Peter Wilhousky heard the song, he wrote new lyrics and introduced his version, called Carol of the Bells to holiday audiences. He copyrighted and published it in 1936.
Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle -
The carol is an Italian Christmas Carol written by St. Alphonsus Ligouri in 1732.
Mary would like to wish all the readers, both old and new, a very Happy Holiday!
A complete change of pace.
Ike was absolutely correct, we truly need to beware ‘the military-industrial complex.’ I had been highly suspicious of the follow statistic – the US has been involved in some form of ‘armed military‘ conflicts 228 out of the 245 years of it’s existence. But I’ve tracked it across a number of different sources, for example 1, 2 & 3, and a consensus seems to be that we are a very war-like nation. So it is very easy to see how the true reason for the holidays is lost in the fog of war –
I'm Sending A Letter To Santa Claus Vera Lynn -
World War II Christmas Radio with Ginger Rogers
Christmas message 1952 -
There's Peace In Korea Sister Rosetta Tharpe -
Christmas in Viet Nam Soul Searchers -
I Want To Come Home For Christmas Marvin Gaye –
What set the Christmas songs of the Vietnam War apart was their naked honesty concerning the plight of the soldier. These guys weren’t very happy to be there – at least, they didn’t stay that way very long after going “in country.”
Bob Hope USO Christmas Special from the Persian Gulf –
Christmas in Fallujah Billy Joel –
Christmas Day from Afghanistan 2017 –
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) –
Demand Euphoria!
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