Holiday Songbook 2024 by Lewistown Sentinel

A Festive Guide to Caroling

Christmas caroling is a joyful tradition that has endured for centuries Christmas caroling can be traced to the fourth century in Rome Latin hymns were written to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ Historians believe that even before the emergence of Christianity midwinter songs existed to lift people’s spirits through the bleak weather and extended hours of darkness. Christmas caroling continues to unite communities and spread holiday cheer through song. It is time to inspire a resurgence of caroling by planning to gather friends, family, or neighbors for a caroling session This guide can help anyone plan a memorable caroling event

Gather your group

Begin by assembling a group of singers No one needs to be an expert singer, as enthusiasm goes a long way Reach out to friends, family, coworkers, and/or local community members

Try to get a diverse group of people together whose main goal is to have fun

Find the right time and date

Typically evening hours after work or during weekends are when you can reach the greatest number of people The goal is to enable participants to relax and enjoy the experience

Map out a caroling route

Carefully identify neighborhoods or locations that are known for being festive While the organizer may choose to carol around his or her own neighborhood, it may be possible to engage more of the community in other settings. Look at local nursing homes or even community centers as caroling locations. Contact businesses along Main Street to see if caroling in the center of town to coincide with holiday shopping may be a good idea

Compile a list of classics

Most people will want to hear the carols and other songs they know and love. Make a list of classic Christmas songs that aren’t overly complicated and singers will already know how to sing, such as “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ” If a particularly accomplished singer is in the group, he or she might do a featured solo Be sure to have printed copies of the lyrics and sheet music for all participants

Enlist some musicians

Although caroling is traditionally done a capella, having someone who plays an instrument, like a guitar or violin, can ensure everyone is on the right note and can keep the pace of each song.

Plan to rest

Singing can be joyful, but also tiring Bring along refreshments so the carolers can rest their voices and stop to grab a drink or snack. Tea, coffee and cocoa can warm up participants on chilly days. Perhaps make one of the caroling stops in front of a local coffee shop and pop in after a set.

Coordinate attire

Although everyone does not have to dress alike, a similar element, such as a red scarf or green mittens, can unite the group.

Add a charitable element

Consider incorporating a charitable aspect to the caroling Collect financial or food donations for a local food pantry, or do a toy drive while caroling, encouraging people to offer a wrapped gift in exchange for some beautiful music.

Christmas music often sets the holiday scene, and carolers can bring familiar songs into neighborhoods this time of year

“We

Three Kings of Orient Are”

We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Refrain:

O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again, King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. [Refrain]

Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high. [Refrain]

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. [Refrain]

Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice:

Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain]

Source: Hymnary.org

Songwriter: John H Hopkins (1857)

We Three Kings of Orient Are lyrics © Public Domain

“Joy

to the World”

Joy to the world; the Lord is come; Let Earth receive her King; Let ev ' ry Heart prepare him room, And Heav'n and nature sing.

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns, Let men their Songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow

Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love.

Source: Hymnary org Songwriter: Isaac Watts (1719) Joy to the World lyrics © Public Domain

“Go Tell It on the Mountain”

Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born

While shepherds kept their watching

O'er silent flocks by night

Behold throughout the heavens

There shone a Holy light

Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born

The shepherds feared and trembled

When, lo! Above the Earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Savior's birth

Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born

Down in a lowly manger

Our humble Christ was born

And brought us all salvation

That blessed Christmas morn

Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Traditional / William Garcia Go Tell It on the Mountain lyrics © Lakewood Church Houston

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen

Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen

But do you recall

The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose

And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows

All of the other reindeer

Used to laugh and call him names

They never let poor Rudolph

Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say "Rudolph, with your nose so bright

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then how the reindeer loved him

Reindeer”

As they shouted out with glee

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You'll go down in history"

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose

And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows

All of the other reindeer

Used to laugh and call him names

They never let poor Rudolph

Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say "Rudolph, with your nose so bright

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then how the reindeer loved him

As they shouted out with glee "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You'll go down in history"

Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Johnny Marks Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer lyrics © ST. Nicholas Music Inc.

“What

Child is This”

What Child is this who, laid to rest

On Mary's lap, is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While the good shepherds watch are keeping?

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh

Come peasant, king to own Him

The King of kings salvation brings

Let loving hearts enthrone Him

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud

The Babe, the Son of Mary

Raise, oh raise, the song on high His mother sings her lullaby

Joy, oh joy, for Christ is born

The Babe, the Son of Mary

What Child is this

What Child is this (what Child is this)

This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud

The Babe (oh the Babe), the Son (and the son) of Mary (of Mary, Mary, Mary) Of Mary (of Mary) Of Mary"

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: William Chatterton Dix What Child Is This lyrics © Public Domain.

“It

Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven's all-gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats o ' er all the weary world; above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, and ever o ' er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

Source: Hymnary.org

Songwriter: Edmund H Sears (1849) It Came Upon a Midnight Clear lyrics © Public Domain

The ultimate playlist to give your home the right holiday season vibe

Staying home for the holidays can make the season a little more convenient, saving celebrants from having to contend with the millions of individuals who take to the roads, railways and friendly skies each December But staying home comes with its fair share of obligations, especially for individuals who are planning holiday get-togethers with family and friends.

Mood and merrymaking go hand in hand come the holiday season, and music can be used to establish a celebratory vibe this time of year.

Whether you ’ re hosting a holiday party or simply aspring to create a festive atmosphere throughout the month of December, the following songs can help set the right tone this year

• “Sleigh Ride,” by Ella Fitzgerald

• “The Christmas Song,” by Gregory Porter

• “Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms

• “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” by Frank Sinatra

• “Jingle Bells,” by Kimberley Locke

• “Silver Bells,” by Tony Bennett, featuring Count Basie and His Big Band

• “Here Comes Santa Claus,” by Elvis Presley

• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” by Diana Krall

• “White Christmas,” by Bing Crosby

• “Winter Wonderland,” by Louie Armstrong

• “The First Noel,” by the cast of “Glee”

• “Happy Holiday,” by Peggy Lee

• “O Tannenbaum,” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

• “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” by the Brian Setzer Orchestra

• “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” by Mariah Carey

• “Santa Baby,” by Eartha Kitt

• “Mele Kalikimaka,” by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters

• “Blue Christmas,” by Elvis Presley

• “Frosty the Snowman,” by Gene Autry

• “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

• “Deck the Halls,” by Nat King Cole

• “Fairytale of New York,” by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl

• “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” by Burl Ives

• “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” by Dean Martin and Marilyn Maxwell

• “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” by The Ray Coniff Singers

These are just some of the songs that can make up a merry and festive holiday season playlist

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times did give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain

O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem, unto your own and rescue them! From depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o ' er the grave. Refrain

O come, O Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe for us the heavenward road and bar the way to death's abode. Refrain

O come, O Bright and Morning Star, and bring us comfort from afar!

Dispel the shadows of the night and turn our darkness into light. Refrain

O come, O King of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind.

Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace. Refrain

“Good

Christian Friends, Rejoice”

Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ was born today. Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today!

Christ is born today!

Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!

He has opened heaven's door, and we are blest forevermore.

Christ was born for this!

Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain his everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

“We

Wish You a Merry Christmas”

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy new year

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy new year

Good tidings we bring

To you and your kin

Good tidings for Christmas

And a happy new year

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy new year

Now bring us a figgy pudding

And bring some out here

Now bring us a figgy pudding

Then bring some out here

Good tidings we bring

To you and your kin

Good tidings for Christmas

And a happy new year

Now bring us a figgy pudding

And bring some out here

For we all like figgy pudding

So bring some out here

For we all like figgy pudding

So bring some out here

Good tidings we bring

To you and your kin

Good tidings for Christmas

And a happy new year

For we all like figgy pudding

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Popolari

For we all like figgy pudding

So bring some out here

And we won't go until we got some

So bring some out here

And we won't go until we got some

So bring some out here

Good tidings we bring

To you and your kin

Good tidings for Christmas

And a happy new year

Good tidings for Christmas

And a happy new year

“Silent Night”

“Silent Night” is one of many Christmas carols that has been around for quite some time. The song reached its 200th anniversary in 2018. Composed by Austrian primary school teacher Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics written by fellow Austrian and Roman Catholic priest Joseph Mohr in 1818, “Silent Night” was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in the small Austrian village of Oberndorf. The song has since been performed by countless artists, including the legendary actor and singer Bing Crosby.

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright ’round yon virgin mother and child! Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, heav’nly hosts sing, “Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!”

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from Thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

Silent night! Holy night!

Wondrous star, lend thy light; with the angels let us sing “Alleluia” to our King: “Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born.”