FReeper Canteen ~ Christmas Music Festival For Our Troops ~ Come Join The Fun ~ 24 Dec 2005

Music For Our Troops
-All music is removed next week!
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Please do not hotlink any of our music. This music thread is done for our Troops who are far from home this holiday season. We do it for them.

* Christmas By Song *

Special Note: We do not have the time to go over every single holiday song or version. If you have one you'd like to hear, please request it on the thread.

Song: Adeste Fideles ( *O Come All Ye Faithful*)

Background Info: The Englishman, John Francis Wade, wrote both the words and the music, Adeste Fideles. The Musical score was first published in 1782 in Samuel Webbe's An Essay on the Church Plain Chant in 1782. John Francis Wade first included it in his own 1751 publication of Cantus Diversi. The lyrics were first published in 1760.

Various versions follow below

The Three Tenors	Celine Dion
King Karoleers	Alan Jackson
Amy Grant	Bing Crosby
Faith Hill, Leann Rimes	Ffh
Frank Sinatra	Doc Severinsen
Mormon Tabernacle Choir	The Chieftains
Desert Bells International	Mistletoe Orchestra
Nat King Cole	Clodine
Frankie Gavin	Mantovani
Thomas Hampson	Il Divo
101 Strings	Donna Summer

* Christmas By Song *

Song: All I Want For Christmas Is You
and
All I Want For Christmas ( Is My Two Front Teeth)

Background Info: *All I Want For Christmas Is You * was written by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey. All I Want For Christmas Is (My Two Front Teeth) was written by Donald Yetter Gardner
first recorded by Spike Jones in 1948. Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

Nat King Cole Trio	The Cheetah Girls
Joel - Steven	Olivia Olson
Samantha Mumba	Chipmunks
Spike Jones	Vince Vance & The Valiants
Carla Thomas	Foghat
Dave Rodgers	David Benoit
Dean Crowell	Leann Rimes
Mariah Carey	Shania Twain
The Big Band All Stars	George Strait

* Christmas By Song *

Song: Angels We Have Heard On High

Background Info: Is based on traditional carol "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes"
music is traditional hymn "Gloria"
English translation by James Chadwick in 1862. Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

TSO (Trans Siberian)	Cincinnati Pops
Russ Freeman	Amy Grant
101 Strings	Canadian Brass
Caribbean Steel Drums	Hilary Stagg (Harps)
Kathy Mattea	Kitaro
Mannheim Steamroller	Roches
Tim Janis	David Lanz
December People	Don Grusin
Ella Fitzgerald	Steps Ahead (Jazz)
Lou Rawls	Michael Mcdonald
Vanessa Williams	The Veggie Tales

* Christmas By Song *

Song: *Ave Maria*

Background Info: The Ave Maria was composed in about 1825 by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) when he was twenty-eight years old and filled with devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was written for voice and piano and first Published in 1826 as Op 52 no 6. The words most commonly used with Schubert's music are not the words that the composer originally set to music. Franz Schubert actually wrote the music for an excerpt from the poem "The Lady of the Lake" by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), which was translated into German by Adam Storck. Schubert called his piece Ellens dritter Gesang (Ellen's third song). In this particular excerpt from the poem the heroine, Ellen Douglas, is in hiding and prays to the Virgin Mary. Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

Alfredo Kraus	Alicia Keys
Amalia Rodrigues	Andrea Bocelli
Celine Dion	Connie Francis
Fantasia	Frank Sinatra
Gary Hoey	Gheorghe Zamfir
Sandi Patti	Helmut Lotti
James Last	Jewel
Jim Cullum Jazz Band	Jim Nabors
Jingle Cats	Jo Stafford
Joan Baez	Johnny Mathis
Josh Groban	Luciano Pavarotti & Aaron Neville
Noa	Stevie Wonder

* Christmas By Song *

Song: *Away In A Manger*

Background Info:

Protestant reformer Martin Luther is considered by some to be the composer of this carol, although without question the modern version comes from nineteenth-century American composer William James Kirkpatrick. The first two verses were by an anonymous author as part of the Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families by J. C. File, and the third verse is by John Thomas McFarland (1851-1913). Credit belongs here.

The first two verses of “Away in a Manger” were originally published in 1885 in a Lutheran schoolbook. James Murray published it in 1887 under the title of “Luther’s Cradle Hymn” leaving some people to think that Luther had written it. No one is certain who wrote the music, but it, too, is believed to be American.
Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

Kirkpatrick (Original version)	Aled Jones
American Boychoir	Andre Kostelanetz
Anne Murray	Beatles
Brady Bunch	Cats Company In NY
Christmas Carols	David Young
Dwight Yoakam	Emmylou Harris
Gary Hoey	John Tesh
Kenny Rogers	King's College Choir
Lorie Line	Mannheim Steamroller
Nat King Cole	Percy Faith
Reba McEntire	Roches
Roger Whittaker	Sonny James
Take 6	The Irish Tenors
Vienna Boys Choir	Trisha Yearwood

* Christmas By Song *

Song: *Blue Christmas*

Background Info: written by Bill Hayes and Jay Johnson
first recorded by Doye O'Dell in 1948. Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

Ann & Nancy Wilson	Axemas (Guitar)
Beach Boys	The Beatles
Boxcar Willie	Brian Setzer Orchestra
Brooks & Dunn	Chet Atkins
Dean Martin	Elvis Presley
Hugo Winterhalter	Jingle Cats (Dogs)
Johnny Mathis	Leon Redbone
Miles Davis	Porky Pig
Jon Bon Jovi	Joe Perry

* Christmas By Song *

Song: *Carol Of The Bells*

Background Info: music and Ukranian lyrics written by Mykola Leontovych in 1916 (originally titled "Shchedryk")
English lyrics written by Peter Wilhousky in 1936. Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

Fognode	Durbin Elf
Cincinnati Pops	Leontovich_Wilhovsky
The Boston Pops	Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Andy Williams	Canterbury Organ
Caroling Party	Cole Jenkins
Destiny's Child	King's Singers
Kostia	Lawrence Welk
London Festival Orchestra	Percy Faith
Regency Singers	Rick Flauding
The Barra McNeils	Wynton Marsalis
Zurich Music Box	Harry Connick Jr
Klezomanauts	TSO and Metallica

* Chanukah Music *

Happy Chanukah to all of our soldiers that celebrate the *Festival Of Lights* from all of us in the Canteen!
Prayers and support to our Jewish friends around the world!!

Enjoy!!

Artist	Song
Barenaked Ladies	Hanukkah Blessings
Variations	Variations Of A Hanukkah Tune
Judy C. Ginsburgh	Maoz Tzur/Rock Of Ages
Judy C. Ginsburgh	Mi Y'malel (Who Can Retell)
Dave Koz & Friends	Eight Candles (Song For Hanukkah)
Gefilte Joe The Fish	Hanukkah Rocks
Barenaked Ladies	I Have A Little Dreidel
Various	These Hanukkah Lights Of Mine
Brave Combo	Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah
Sharon, Lois & Bram	Oy Chanukah
The Convenant	Kiddush Le-Shabbat
Magpie	The Chanukah Chase
Magpie	The Ballad Of Chanuka
Barenaked Ladies	Hanukkah O Hanukkah

~ Christmas Music Break ~
*Did You Know* Section About Christmas

~ Unbeknownst to many, the word "xmas" was not invented by carnal merchants trying to commercialize Christmas. The word is actually an old English one. The "x" in Christmas is the Greek letter chi, which is the first letter in the Greek word for "Christ." Thus, "xmas" is simply a shortened version of "Christmas." Credit belongs here.

~ When you share a kiss under the misletoe, you are partaking in a Norse custom. The Norse associated the misletoe with their Goddess Of Love.

~ Many Americans have poinsettas in their homes, but did you know it is the native flower of Mexico. Mexicans call it the *Flower Of The Holy Night*.

~ The first people to decorate Christmas trees were the Germans in the 7th Century.

~ If you enjoy Candy Canes, you can thank the French. (Don't start throwing them away. They're still tasty!)

~ Since 1923, the White House Christmas Tree has been lit except one year - 1979. To honor the hostages taken in Iran, only the top of the Christmas tree was lit.

~ Pope Julius I in the 4th Century designated the 25th of December to celebrate Christmas.

* Christmas By Song *

Song: * Christmas Song *

Background Info: written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells
first recorded by The Nat King Cole Trio in 1946. Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

Al Hirt	Anne Murray
Avalon	Axemas
Carmen McRae	Clay Aiken
Dave Koz & Friends	Dexter Gordon
The Drifters	Frank Sinatra
George Strait	Henry Mancini
Johnny Mathis	Martina McBride
Mel Torme	Nat King Cole

* Christmas By Song *

Song: Deck The Halls

Background Info: The melody is Welsh and belongs to a winter carol, Nos Galan; the "fa-la-la" refrains were probably originally played on the harp. In the eighteenth century Mozart used the tune to Deck the Halls for a violin and piano duet. J.P. McCaskey is sometimes credited with the lyrics of Deck the Halls but he only edited the Franklin Square Song Collection in which the lyrics were first published. The English words generally sung today are American in origin and date from the 19th century. Some versions say "Deck the Hall" instead of "Deck the Halls". Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

Whitney Houston	Alvin & The Chipmunks
American Boychoir	Barclay Orchestra
Bing Crosby	Christmas Carols
Eddie Rabbit	Nat King Cole
Philadelphia Orchestra	The King Singers
The Sussex Carolers	The Three Suns

* Christmas By Song *

Song: *Do You Hear What I Hear*

Background Info: written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne in 1962
first recorded by The Harry Simeone Chorale in 1962. Credit belongs here.

Various versions follow below

La Bouche	Andy Williams
Bing Crosby	The Carpenters
David Arkenstone	Destiny's Child
Elmo	The Gaitlin Brothers
Jim Brickman	Johnny Mathis
Kirk Whalum	Lawrence Welk
Perry Como	Norman Luboff
The Roches	Vera Lynn

* Christmas By Songs *

Songs:

*The Cherry-Tree Carol* - Information here.

*Boar's Head Carol * - Information here.

*Caroling, Caroling* - Information here.

*Ding Dong Merrily on High* - Information here.

*Gaudete* - Information here.

*Gesu Bambino* - Information here.

*Gabriel's Message* - Information here.

*I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day* - Information here.

*I Wonder As I Wander* - Information here.

*Huron Carol* - Information here.

*In The Bleak Midwinter* - Information here.

*In Dulci Jubilo* - Information here.

*Go Tell it on The Mountain* - Information here.

*Feliz Navidad* - Information here.

Background Info: This section highlights Christmas songs that we don't have the time to give them a complete section to themselves. They're still beautiful songs that everyone should at least listen to once. Adding a little variety is all we want to do.

Various versions follow below

Song	Artist
Worcester Cathedral Choir	The Cherry-Tree Carol
The Western Wind	The Cherry-Carol Tree

Craig Duncan	Deck The Halls/The Boar's Head Carol
Maddy Prior	The Boar's Head Carol

First Call & Friends	Caroling, Caroling
Anna Maria Alberghetti	Caroling, Caroling

Dordan	Ding Dong Merrily on High
Roger Whittaker	Ding Dong Merrily on High
The Chieftains	Ding Dong Merrily on High

Daryl Runswick	Gaudete
Steeleye Span	Gaudete

Les Petite Chanteurs	Gesu Bambino
Fred Waring	Gesu Bambino
Kathleen Battle	Gesu Bambino

Holland's Boy Choirs	Gabriel's Message
Sting	Gabriel's Message

The December People	I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
Kate Smith	I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
Rockapella	I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Jewel	I Wonder As I Wander

Tom Jackson	Huron Carol
Chanticleer	Huron Carol

Anthony Way	In The Bleak Midwinter
The Classical Kids	In The Bleak Midwinter
The Moody Blues	In The Bleak Midwinter

Drakensberg's Boys Choir	In Dulci Jubilo (Good Christian Men Rejoice)
Highway Jazzmen	In Dulci Jubilo
Mannheim Steamroller	In Dulci Jubilo

Mahalia Jackson	Go Tell It On The Mountain
The Blind Boys Of Alabama	Go Tell It On The Mountain
The Staple Singers	Go Tell It On The Mountain
Dolly Parton	Go Tell It On The Mountain

Boney M	Feliz Navidad
Jose Feliciano	Feliz Navidad
El Vez	Feliz Navidad

~ Christmas Music Break ~
*How About You* Section

Do you have any favorite artists you listen to during the holidays?

Here's some artists MoJo loves during the holidays. How about you?

1. Nat King Cole
- I don't believe there is a Christmas song he sings that MoJo doesn't love.

2. Hipsters Holiday
- If you love Louis Armstrong, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Pearl Bailey and so on, this is the album for you!

3. Choirs --MoJo loves choirs from around the world. There is nothing better than hearing a choir sing *Carol Of The Bells*.

4. Bing Crosby
-- Love his voice!

5. Funny Christmas tunes
--Anything that breaks the monotony of the same old songs is great!

What say you?

* Christmas By Songs *

Songs:

*The First Noel or The First Nowell* - Information here.

*Good King Wenceslas* - Information here.
*Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourselves find blessing.

*I Saw Three Ships* - Information here.

*O Holy Night* - Information here.

*Hallelujah* - Information here.

*I'll Be Home For Christmas* - Information here.

*(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - Information here.

*A Holly Jolly Christmas* - Information here.

*We Three Kings Of Orient Are* - Information here.

*I Saw Mommy Kiss Santa Claus* - Information here.

*Wassail Song* - Information here.

*Let There Be Peace On Earth* - Information here.

*Silver Bells* - Information here.

Background Info: Did we get all the Christmas carols ever made? We wish! Due to time issues and the length of this already long thread, we're trying to cut down the carols until we get to the bigger ones. Enjoy!

Various versions follow below

TSO	The First Noel
Andy Williams	The First Noel
Mormon Tabernacle Choir	The First Noel

The Ames Brothers	Good King Wenceslas
The Boston Pops	Good King Wenceslas
Mannheim Steamroller	Good King Wenceslas
Mel Torme	Good King Wenceslas

Barenaked Ladies	I Saw Three Ships
Nat King Cole	I Saw Three Ships
Cambridge Singers	I Saw Three Ships

Celine Dion	O Holy Night
Michael Crawford	O Holy Night
Three Tenors	O Holy Night
Martina McBride	O Holy Night

Philadelphia Orchestra	Hallelujah Chorus
Handel	Hallelujah
London Orchestra	Hallelujah

Percy Faith	I'll Be Home For Christmas
Johnny Mathis	I'll Be Home For Christmas
Martina McBride	I'll Be Home For Christmas
Peabo Bryson	I'll Be Home For Christmas

Rockapella	Home For The Hoidays
Dixieland	Home For The Hoidays
Perry Como	Home For The Holidays

Burl Ives	A Holly Jolly Christmas
Alan Jackson	A Holly Jolly Christmas

Mormon Tabernacle Choir	We Three Kings Of Orient
Irish Rovers	We Three Kings Of Orient
King's Choir	We Three Kings Of Orient
Michael Doucet	We Three Kings Of Orient
Dave Brubeck	We Three Kings Of Orient

The Platters	I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Beatles	I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Mannheim Steamroller	Wassail
Ames Brothers	Wassail Song
Bluegrass Artists	Wassail Song

Donnie Sanders	Let There Be Peace On Earth
Dutch Millenium Male Choir	Let There Be Peace On Earth

Vonda Shepard	Silver Bells
Sugar Ray	Silver Bells
The Judds	Silver Bells
Johnny Mathis	Silver Bells
Bing Crosby	Silver Bells

* Christmas By Song *

Song: *Let It Snow*

Background Info: Christmas song, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne in 1945.
Credit belongs here. Originally recorded by Vaughn Monroe.

Various versions follow below

Lena Horne	Aaron Neville
Dean Martin	Doris Day
Harry Connick Jr	Manhattan Transfer
Joe Williams	The Katinas
Vaughn Monroe	Vonda Shepard

* Christmas By Song *

Song: *Jingle Bells*

Background Info: originally "One Horse Open Sleigh", is one of the best known and commonly sung secular Christmas songs in the world. It was written in 1857 by James Pierpont (1822–1893) to be sung at a Thanksgiving program at his church in Boston, and was repeated at Christmas due to its instant popularity. Credit belongs here.

Sidenote: MoJo added some funny versions of *Jingle Bells* to save her sanity!

Various versions follow below

The Simpsons (funny)	Billy Vaughn
Caiola and Ortolani & Jimmy McGriff	Jim Reeves
Maddox Brothers & Rose	Brian Setzer Orchestra
Perry Como	Dixieland Christmas
Gene Krupa Trio	Gene Autry
Bucko & Champs *Listen to this first	Homer & Jethro *Then listen to this!

* Christmas By Songs*

Songs:

*Rockin Around The Christmas Tree* - Information here.

*GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN* - Information here.

*Little Drummer Boy* - Information here.

*What Child Is This or Greensleeves* - Information here.

*Winter Wonderland* - Information here.

*White Christmas* - Information here.

*Frosty The Snowman* - Information here.

*Sleigh Ride* - Information here.

*O Little Town Of Bethlehem* - Information here.

*O Christmas Tree or O Tannenbaum* - Information here.

*Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer* - Information here.

*We Wish You A Merry Christmas* - Information here.

*Silent Night* - Information here.

*Twelve Days Of Christmas* - Information here.

*Twas The Night Before Christmas* - Information here.

*Up On The Housetop* - Information here.

Background Info: Due to time and all that jazz, we're combining it again!! Hopefully you find something you like. If not, take our advice and don't complain to MoJo. She may not wish you glad tidings. She might even come across as grumpy. Save humanity and our sanity and don't say a thing. Hehe!

Various versions follow below

Amy Grant	Rockin Around The Christmas Tree
Brenda Lee (Original)	Rockin Around The Christmas Tree
Mary J. Blige & Sheryl Crow	Rockin Around The Christmas Tree

Barenaked Ladies	GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN
Perry Como	GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN
Lou Rawls	GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN

Harry Simeone Chorale	Little Drummer Boy
The Temptations	Little Drummer Boy
Ray Charles	Little Drummer Boy
Dandy Warhols	Little Drummer Boy

Gene Autry	Up On The House Top

Peggy Lee	Winter Wonderland
Elvis Presley	Winter Wonderland
Mitch Miller	Winter Wonderland
Johnny Mathis	Winter Wonderland
Louis Armstrong	Winter Wonderland
Tony Bennett	Winter Wonderland

Billy Vaughn	O Christmas Tree
Aretha Franklin	O Christmas Tree

Sharon, Lois & Bram	We Need A Little Christmas
The Muppets	We Need A Little Christmas

Ella Fitzgerald	Frosty The Snowman
Burl Ives	Frosty The Snowman
Jimmy Durante	Frosty The Snowman

Mormon Tabernacle Choir	Silent Night
Boyz II Men	Silent Night
Martina McBride	Silent Night

Alabama	O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Aaron Neville	O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Frank Sinatra	O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Ames Brothers	Twas The Night Before Christmas
Eek! A Mouse	Twas The Night Before Christmas
Gene Autry	Twas The Night Before Christmas

The Boston Pops	Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Gene Autry	Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Acapella	Hark The Herald Angel
American Boychoir	Hark The Herald Angel
Nat King Cole	Hark The Herald Angel

Charlotte Church	What Child Is This
Enya	What Child Is This
Martina McBride	What Child Is This

Gary Hoey	Twelve Days Of Christmas
Roger Whittaker	Twelve Days Of Christmas

Burl Ives	Santa Claus Is Comin To Town
The Chipmunks	Santa Claus Is Comin To Town

Bing Crosby	White Christmas
Leann Rimes	White Christmas
Kate Smith	White Christmas

TLC	Sleigh Ride
Squirrel Nut Zippers	Sleigh Ride
Johnny Mathis	Sleigh Ride
El Vez	Sleigh Ride
The Ronettes	Sleigh Ride

Philadelphia Orchestra	We Wish You A Merry Christmas

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