December 9, 201312 yr ^ Almost all the best carols seem to be either British or German; those people really did Christmas right. There's at least one more German... pretty high on the list if I remember right. Well there is nothing quite like hearing "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" on Christmas Eve. They say that a German soldier stood up and sung this on the front lines of trench warfare on Christmas Eve of World War I. And that others joined him and there was a cease fire for a brief time. I don't know if that's true, but I would like to think so.
December 9, 201312 yr Author No. 17 "Sussex Carol" - traditional English carol; performed by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge
December 9, 201312 yr Author They say that a German soldier stood up and sung this on the front lines of trench warfare on Christmas Eve of World War I. And that others joined him and there was a cease fire for a brief time. I don't know if that's true, but I would like to think so. I've heard that story before too. The way I've heard it the song resonated because it was one of the few 100 years ago that English, French, and German soldiers would all have known.
December 9, 201312 yr I've heard that story before too. The way I've heard it the song resonated because it was one of the few 100 years ago that English, French, and German soldiers would all have known. It actually DID happen. It was in 1914, and then again in 1915 on a smaller scale. There are actually photos of the troops meeting together, as a matter of fact.
December 9, 201312 yr I've heard that story before too. The way I've heard it the song resonated because it was one of the few 100 years ago that English, French, and German soldiers would all have known. The Christmas Truce of 1914 was definitely real. The lone soldier singing I am not sure.
December 9, 201312 yr The Christmas Truce of 1914 was definitely real. The lone soldier singing I am not sure. Beat you to it! :lol2:
December 10, 201312 yr It actually DID happen. It was in 1914, and then again in 1915 on a smaller scale. There are actually photos of the troops meeting together, as a matter of fact. It seems odd to take a break from killing people to sing Christmas carols with them and then resume trying to kill them. LOL
December 10, 201312 yr It seems odd to take a break from killing people to sing Christmas carols with them and then resume trying to kill them. LOL Maybe the other guys weren't singing it as written, that works me up.
December 10, 201312 yr Author No. 16(a) "Carol of the Bells" - Ukrainian traditional; arranged by Mykola Leontovych; lyrics by Peter Wilhousky; performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale This song is based on a pre-Christian Ukrainian folk tune; no one can say for sure just how old it is. The words were adapted into a Christmas carol in the early 20th century.
December 10, 201312 yr Author No. 16(b) I said in an earlier post how much I loved Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas so... just for good measure...
December 12, 201312 yr Author No. 15 "Little Drummer Boy" - original music and lyrics by Katherine Kennicott Davis; "Peace on Earth" counterpoint music and lyrics by Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman and Alan Kohan; performed by David Bowie and Bing Crosby How good is this duet? Well, it's good enough to make this list. I say that because I've never found "Little Drummer Boy" a particularly interesting piece and most of the versions you get aren't very entertaining. But Crosby and Bowie are absolutely outstanding here and the counterpoint, written specifically for this TV special, adds SO MUCH to the tune. Crosby never lived to see the special go to air. It was filmed in early September, 1977; Crosby would die just five weeks later on October 14 at age 74. The special aired across the U.S. on November 30, 1977 and this duet became an all-time Christmas classic.
December 12, 201312 yr Author No. 14 "Gesu Bambino" - words and music by Pietro Yon Based partially on musical themes and the words of "Adeste Fideles", the carol takes on the form of an operatic lullaby, which is performed spectacularly by Pavarotti, who is accompanied by a children's quartet. I had the privilege of hearing Pavarotti before he died; something I'll never forget. In the humble hut, In cold and poverty The Holy infant is born, Who the world will adore. Hosanna, hosanna, sing With a joyous heart, Your shepherds and angels, O King of light and love. Come let us adore, Come let us adore, Come let us adore The Lord. O beautiful boy do not cry Do not cry, Redeemer! Your mother cradles you, Kisses you, O Savior. Hosanna, hosanna, sing With a joyous heart, Your shepherds and angels, O King of light and love. Come let us adore, Come let us adore, Come let us adore The Lord.
December 13, 201312 yr Author No. 13 "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" - words by Edmumd Sears; music by Richard Storrs Willis; performed by Frank Sinatra I love this tune and Sinatra's performance is near perfect. Even among Christmas songs, this particular melody has a sweetness to it that borders on heavenly. Can't stop listening to it.
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