Not
long ago I received a message from Facebook reminding me of a “memory”, a
posting I’d written back in 2011.
In
that posting I talked about a holiday special that was coming up – “ A Very
Gaga Thanksgiving”.
Here
was my comment from 2011: I guess I'm showing my age but I fondly recall the
Perry Como specials. It wasn't Thanksgiving without Mr. C singing “Bless this
House”.
For
those of you who loved those programs as well, here's Perry's version of “O Holy Night”. With all due respect to Lady Gaga (and I do like many of her
songs) I can’t imagine her doing justice to “There's No Place Like Home for the
Holidays”.
Five
years later I still love the traditional tunes from “Up on the Housetop” and
“We Need a Little Christmas” to “God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen”. We used to sing these songs in school (again, I’m showing my age.)
But
I also have come to love some of the new takes on old treasures. Who could
resist Kermit the Frog belting out “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”?
Some newer songs and performers have joined my holiday playlist. I was blown away by Jordan Smith’s
rendition of “Mary Did You Know” on The Voice last year. It literally gave me
chills. Small wonder Jordan won the entire competition.
Perhaps
my favorite of all time is a little known tune by Peter, Paul and Mary called
“A ‘Soulin”. There’s just something about it that strikes a chord with me.
Sorry for the poor video quality – simply close your eyes and listen.
You
can find some lovely lyrics in holiday songs. “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my
dreams.” “Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow.” “Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the
silent stars go by.”
And
some dumb ones, like this line from “Little Saint Nick”: “Christmas comes this
time each year.”
No
matter what your musical tastes, we all have a favorite we long to hear every
year. What is your special song? Listen
and enjoy because the season is short.
Have
yourself a merry little Christmas.