Musical Notes

Confession

2017-11-01T17:50:00.001-05:00

They say confession is good for the soul, right?

I'm not so sure in this case, but here goes. This may shock you.

I like Abba. Always have. I was introduced to their music in the early '80s and I was hooked right away.

I still have several of their records (yes, from back when vinyl was the main format!)

According to Wikipedia, Abba was active from 1972-1982. This was when Disco was king and swingers swang and sex with everyone else was the thing. The "sexual revolution" was at it's height. This is reflected in much of their lyrics.

A lot of people scoff at Abba. But really if you give their music a serious listen you might find you like some of it. They were pegged as disco, which is true, but they were so diverse in style that there really is something for nearly everyone's tastes.

Their songs are...

Mysterious: The Visitors, Eagle
Serious: Soldiers, Chiquitita, Fernando
Whimsical: King Kong Song, Sitting in the Palmtree, What about Livingstone?, Two For the Price of One 😳
Somber: One of Us, The Winner Takes It All
Sexy (almost all of them)

There was even a "smash hit musical" based on their songs called Mamma Mia! And I've heard there is a sequel coming out sometime next year.

Here's one of my favorites, remember the era when you watch this video...

Eagle - Abba

They came flying from far away
Now I'm under their spell
I love hearing the stories that they tell

They've seen places beyond my land
And they found new horizons
They speak strangely but I understand

And I dream I'm an eagle
And I dream I can spread my wings

Flyin' high, high, like a bird in the sky
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please

I saw good friends we talked all night
And we fly wing to wing
I have questions and they know everything

There's no limit to what I feel
We climb higher and higher
Am I dreaming or is this all real?

And I dream I'm an eagle
Is it true, I can spread my wings?

Flyin' high, high, like a bird in the sky
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please

Is it true, I'm an eagle?
Is it true, I can spread my wings?

Flyin' high, high, like a bird in the sky
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas

High, high, like a bird in the sky
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please

Wanna fly like an eagle
Fly, fly
I dream, I'm an eagle
Flyin', fly

RIP Tom Petty :(

2017-10-02T15:51:00.002-05:00

RIP Tom Petty

Alright for now - Tom Petty

Goodnight baby, sleep tight my love
May God watch over you from above

Tomorrow I'm workin' what would I do
I'd be lost and lonely if not for you

So close your eyes
We're alright for now

I've spent my life travelin'
Spent my life free
I could not repay all you've done for me

So sleep tight baby
Unfurrow your brow
And know I love you

We're alright for now
We're alright for now

2017-09-20T15:39:00.002-05:00

September 19 is always a bit melancholy for me. September 19, 1997 is the day Rich Mullins was killed in a horrible auto accident. When I heard the news, it was like a sledgehammer slammed into my heart.

I didn't know Rich personally. Never met him. Never saw him live in concert. Never talked on the phone or sent an email. I doubt he even had email. But I heard his songs. I got to know him through his lyrics. The melodies an rhythms of his music. I saw videos of him in interviews and live performances. I've heard people that did know him personally talk about him.

The things he said, and the way he said them reveal so much about him and his relationship with God. For example:

"The thing I most like about the Bible are all the weirdos in it. I think the Bible is just packed with them. This is one of my weirdo heroes that comes from the scriptures." and then he launches into the song 'Elijah'.

I remember when I was a kid…people would go around saying “Cheer up man, God loves you!” and I would say “Big deal. God loves everybody. That don’t make me special. That just proves that God ain’t go no taste.” And I don’t think he does - thank God. Cause God takes the junk of our lives, and He makes the greatest art in the world out of it. And if He was cultured, if He was as civilized as most Christian people wish He was, He would be useless to Christianity. But God is a wild man. And I hope that in the course of your life, you encounter Him. But let me warn you, you’d need to hang on for dear life. Or let go for dear life maybe is better.

Rich was a man who had trouble in his life, as we all do. A strained relationship with his earthly father and other relationship difficulties. But in his lyrics and words, you see something that stands out. An unwavering trust in the Love of God.

I think Rich fulfilled his desire for leaving a legacy of joy. He said, “I hope that I would leave a legacy of joy. A legacy of real compassion. Because I think there is great joy in real compassion. I don’t think that you can know joy apart from caring deeply about people – caring enough about people that you actually do something.”. I know he's given me joy when I listen to his songs. When I see his smile in pictures or videos. When I hear him talk about God and the amazing love that He has for us ragamuffins.

Creed - Rich Mullins

I believe in God the Father
Almighty maker of heaven and maker of earth

And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son, our Lord

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under pontius pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried

And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man

I believe that He who suffered was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into Hell and on the third day, rose again
He ascended into heaven where he sits at God's mighty right hand
I believe that he's returning
To judge the quick and the dead of the sons of men

And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man

I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe it

I believe in God the Father
Almighty maker of heaven and maker of earth

And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son, our lord

I believe in the Holy Spirit
One holy church
The communion of saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends

And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
I did not make it, no it is making me
I said I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man

I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it

Down in the Lowlands

2017-08-24T14:21:00.001-05:00

We all have those day. Or weeks. Or years. Where just nothing seems right and you get depressed and down. Down in the Lowlands.

I've always had troubled deciding which version I like better. Charlie Peacock wrote the song and this is his version:

Russ Taff covered it, and this is his version:

Down In The Lowlands - Charlie Peacock

The water is up to my neck
I'm sinking in the deep
There is no foothold to be found anywhere
I'm very worn out from calling for help
My throat is hoarse
And dry as a bone

My eyes they fail me from looking for you
Are you looking for me?

I'm down in the lowlands
Where the water is deep
Hear me cry, hear my shout
Save me, save me

Could this be it, could I be drowning?
Have I failed to be heard
By the only one who can save me?
Show me some mercy and touch me again
Please lift me up
Above where I am

My eyes they fail me from looking for you
My eyes they fail me from looking for you
Are you looking for me?

Cause I'm down in the lowlands
Where the water is deep
Hear my cry, hear my shout
Save me, save me

The wound is where the light shines through

2017-08-13T10:16:00.000-05:00

This song speaks.

Switchfoot - Where The Light Shines Through

When you're feeling like an astronaut
Stuck on a planet even time forgot, and
You're a version of yourself, but you're not the same
You try to keep the wound camouflaged, and
The stitches heal, but the years are lost, and
Another bottle on the shelf can't numb the pain

Why're you running from yourself now?

You can't run away.

'Cause your scars shine like dark stars
Yeah, your wounds are where the light shines through
So let's go there, to that place where
We sing these broken prayers where the light shines through--
The wound is where the light shines through

Yeah, the wound is where the light shines through

Ain't we all just Abraham's son?
Saint and sinner with the song and drum, and
We're fallen on our knees, we all bleed the same
And the only tattoos that I have are scars
I got your name written on my heart
And the story that brought us here ain't the thing that changed, no

I wanna see that light shining

Brighter than the pain

'Cause your scars shine like a dark star
Yeah, your wounds are where the light shines through
So let's go there, to that place where
We sing these broken prayers where the light shines through
The wound is where the light shines through

Mama, ain't the blood just proof I'm human?
Mama, ain't the wound just retribution?
Well Mama, ain't the scar like a vision of grace?

The wound is where the light shines through
The wound is where the light finds you
The wound is where the light shines through
The wound is where the light finds you

Your scars shine like dark stars
Yeah, the wound is where the light shines through

It's where the light shines through
Yeah, yeah, it's where the light shines through

Yeah, the only time to our heart, oh oh
It's where the light shines through

Where the light shines, where the light shines through
Where the light shines though

It's where the light shines through

The right song at the right time...

2015-10-30T10:23:00.000-05:00

God knows what speaks to us, and often music speaks to me more than anything. He knows how to send the right song at the right time. This song came on in the car today.

Matter of Time - Church of Rhythm
The rain fell down in my life today
And I almost drowned
Sometimes the happiness just all fades away
And it can't be found, no

But I won't give up, no I won't give in
Cause after the night, a new day will begin

Oh the sun will come up gonna shine again
See the clouds roll away and the rain end
I know after it all I will live again
It's only a matter of time

The waters rise above my head
It's a churning flood
Make me feel like givin' in
Or even wish that I was dead
But then You pull me out
And You lift me up to a higher place
To a refuge of hope, sheltered in Your embrace

And I won't give up, no I won't give in
Cause after the night, a new day will begin

Oh the sun will come up gonna shine again
See the clouds roll away and the rain end
I know after it all I will live again
It's only a matter of time

(It's only a matter of time) Till I'm back on my feet and I'm standing tall
No it won't bring me down, I will not fall
I know You're by my side, You help me through it all
You're with me all the way

When storms arrive and vile tempests blow
There's only one safe harbor that I know
You calm the storm, You calm the raging sea
And You will never turn Your love from me

Oh the sun will come up gonna shine again
It's only a matter of time
(It's only a matter of time) Till I'm back on my feet and I'm standing tall
No it won't bring me down, I will not fall
I know You're by my side, You help me through it all
You're with me all the way

Oh the sun will come up gonna shine again
See the clouds roll away and the rain end
I know after it all I will live again
It's only a matter of time

Till I'm back on my feet and I'm standing tall
No it won't bring me down, I will not fall
I know You're by my side, You help me through it all
You're with me all the way

Fix My Eyes...

2014-10-01T09:58:00.002-05:00

Contemplating this.

Fix My Eyes - for KING & COUNTRY

Hit rewind, click delete
Stand face to face with the younger me
All of the mistakes
All of the heartbreak
Here's what I'd do differently

I'd Love like I'm not scared
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on You
On You

I learned the lines and talked the talk
(Everybody knows it, everybody knows it)
But the road less travelled is hard to walk
(Everybody knows it, everybody knows)
It takes a soldier
Who knows his orders
To walk the walk I'm supposed to walk, and

Love like I'm not scared
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on You
On You

The things of earth are dimming
In the light of Your glory and grace
I'll set my sights upon Heaven
I'm fixing my eyes on You, on You
I'm fixing my eyes on You, on You
I'm fixing my eyes

Love like I'm not scared
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all

Fix my eyes on You
On You, on You
I'll fix my eyes on You, on You
I'll fix my eyes on You, on You

Thank Someone....

2013-07-30T13:26:00.001-05:00

This song makes me smile. Really conveys a sense of peace. It's going to be alright.

Thank you, Jesus.

Don't You Want To Thank Someone - Andrew Peterson

Can't you feel it in your bones
Something isn't right here
Something that you've always known
But you don't know why

'Cause every time the sun goes down
We face another night here
Waiting for the world to spin around
Just to survive

But when you see the morning sun
Burning through a silver mist
Don't you want to thank someone?
Don't you want to thank someone for this?

Have you ever wondered why
In spite of all that's wrong here
There's still so much that goes so right
And beauty abounds?

'Cause sometimes when you walk outside
The air is full of song here
The thunder rolls and the baby sighs
And the rain comes down

And when you see the spring has come
And it warms you like a mother's kiss

Don't you want to thank someone?
Don't you want to thank someone for this?

I used to be a little boy
As golden as a sunrise
Breaking over Illinois
When the corn was tall

Yeah, but every little boy grows up
And he's haunted by the heart that died
Longing for the world that was
Before the Fall

Oh, but then forgiveness comes
A grace that I cannot resist
And I just want to thank someone
I just want to thank someone for this

Now I can see the world is charged
It's glimmering with promises
Written in a script of stars
Dripping from prophets' lips

But still, my thirst is never slaked
I am hounded by a restlessness
I am eaten by this endless ache
But still I will give thanks for this

'Cause I can see it in the seas of wheat
I can feel it when the horses run
It's howling in the snowy peaks
It's blazing in the midnight sun

Just behind a veil of wind
A million angels waiting in the wings
A swirling storm of cherubim
Making ready for the Reckoning

Oh, how long, how long?
Oh, sing on, sing on

And when the world is new again
And the children of the King
Are ancient in their youth again
Maybe it's a better thing

A better thing
To be more than merely innocent
But to be broken then redeemed by love
Maybe this old world is bent

But it's waking up
And I'm waking up

'Cause I can hear the voice of one
He's crying in the wilderness
"Make ready for the Kingdom Come"
Don't you want to thank someone for this?

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallalujah! Hallelujah!

Come back soon
Come back soon

I'm 45 for a moment....

2013-07-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

100 Years - Five for Fighting

I'm fifteen for a moment
Caught in between ten and twenty
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are

I'm twenty two for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars

Fifteen there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
Fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live

I'm thirty three for a moment
Still the man, but you see I'm of age
A kid on the way
A family on my mind

I'm forty five for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life

Fifteen there's still time for you
Time to buy, time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
Fifteen I'm all right with you
Fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live

Half time goes by
Suddenly you're wise
Another blink of an eye
Sixty seven is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on

I'm ninety nine for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are

Fifteen there's still time for you
Twenty two I feel her too
Thirty three you're on your way

Every day's a new day

Fifteen there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live

The Legacy of a Raggamuffin....

2013-05-14T17:50:00.002-05:00

All I can say is.....

I CAN"T WAIT!!!

I would rather live on the verge of falling and let my security be in the all sufficiency of the grace of God, than to live in some kind of pietistic illusion of moral excellence, not that I don’t want to be morally excellent. But my faith isn’t in the idea that I’m more moral than anybody else, my faith is in the idea that God and His love are greater than whatever sins that any of us commit.
–Rich Mullins

That Guy....

2013-04-22T13:52:00.000-05:00

In light of last weeks events, how does this make you feel?
Matthew 5:
⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

That Guy - Andy Gullahorn

He scoped out the market
All the women and kids
With so many distractions
Nobody noticed him
Nobody noticed him

He had a jacket a size too big
A skullcap on his head
And a couple of homemade bombs
He duct taped them to his chest
He taped them to his chest

God loves that guy
God loves that guy

He followed his heart
To a co-worker’s bed
He could have salvaged his marriage with kids
But he chose to leave instead
He chose to leave

He thought it was love
But it was just a mirage
So he sits in his idling car
Parked in a closed garage
Inside a closed garage

God loves that guy
God loves that guy

Me on the other hand I can write somebody off
Like the last check for a student loan

I can love when it’s convenient
But it’s not always convenient
It’s not always the easy road

I want to look past the outside to the well-meaning heart
To the good they forgot that they had

Teach me to love, teach me to love
Teach me to love like that

He messed up again
Wanted to disappear
But he can’t ‘cause he’s easy to find
I see him in the mirror
I see him in the mirror

God loves that guy
God loves that guy
Teach me to love, teach me to love
Teach me to love like that

Easter is for me and my plank-eyed soul.

2013-03-28T12:40:00.000-05:00

Easter - Raspberry Jam (Opening poem by George Herbert, 1633)

Rise, heart, thy Lord is risen. Sing His praise
Without delays,
Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise
With Him may'st rise:
That, as His death calcined thee to dust,
His life may make thee gold, and, much more, just.

Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part
With all thy art,
The Cross taught all wood to resound His name
Who bore the same.
His stretched sinews taught all strings what key
Is best to celebrate this most high day.

Consort, both heart and lute, and twist a song
Pleasant and long;
Or, since all music is but three parts vied
And multiplied
Oh let thy blessed Spirit bear a part,
And make up our defects with His sweet art.
______

A frustrated brow
From the lies you create

To deceive yourself
To deceive your soul

And somehow you rewrote His words
To make yourself whole
To make yourself whole

She whispers "Support" and I scream "Judgment!"
You see Easter is for me and my plank-eyed soul

Frustrated is your mind
Scattered are your nerves
It seems easier for Him to die

Than for me to forgive your lies
Than for me to forgive your lies

She whispers "Support" and I scream "Judgment!"
You see Easter is for me and my plank-eyed soul

God is still in control.

2012-12-14T22:17:00.001-06:00

In light of today's tragedy, I thought this song was fitting.

Grown Up Christmas List - Amy Grant

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee;
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies.

Well, I'm all grown-up now,
And still need help somehow.
I'm not a child,
But my heart still can dream.

So here's my lifelong wish,
My grown-up christmas list.
Not for myself,
But for a world in need.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.

And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up christmas list.

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree.

Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.

And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up christmas list.
This is my only life-long wish.
This is my grown-up christmas list.

A Hallelujah Christmas

2012-12-13T16:45:00.000-06:00

A Hallelujah Christmas - Cloverton

This Christmas

2012-12-12T23:40:00.000-06:00

Here's really fun Christmas song with a great message by Bryan Duncan.

I've been a fan of Bryan's for many years, and he's always put out great music. "This Christmas, one of five bonus Christmas songs on the album Conversations. You can hear the Conversations album FREE for a limited time here: http://igg.me/p/286384/x/945004."
but you only have a few days left to get it!

If you happen to miss it, but want to get ahold of his new Conversations album, here's information about it: http://sogoodforthesoul.com/ You can also preview the entire album there.

This Christmas - Bryan Duncan

After the snowfall melts away
and Christmas bells have ceased to ring
one gift of love on Christmas Day
transcends the season
to be love the whole yearh through
Let this one gift last forever
its the love that I get from you.

It never gets old
It's the love I need
and it's what I want
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
of a new born love
It's the best of all I know this Christmas brings

Long after Christmas ties are gone
and treasures here no longer new
this Christmas love just like a song
brings out the season
to be sung the whole year through
Let this one gift last forever
in the love that I get from you

It never gets old
It's the love I need
and it's what I want
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
of a new born love
It's the best of all I know this Christmas brings

Count the days till Christmas comes
Treat every soul like it was Christmas
364 plus one
and with this Christmas done
we'll start all over again
start all over again

It never gets old
It's the love I need
and it's what I want
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
of a new born love
It's the best of all I know this Christmas brings

It never gets old
This Christmas
and it's what I want
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
this Christmas
of a newborn love
and it's what I want for you
The story is told
this Christmas

Little known facts....

2012-12-11T22:42:00.003-06:00

Most of my family and friends probably don't known this. So, Shhhhh, don't tell them.

I like ballets. I like classical music. There. I said it in public.

The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is part of The Nutcracker ballet. It tells the story of Clara and the Nutcracker. Here's a description of the ballet from Wikipedia:

Act I Scene 1: The Silberhaus HomeIt is Christmas Eve. Family and friends have gathered in the parlor to decorate the beautiful Christmas tree in preparation for the night's festivities. Once the tree is finished, the younger children are sent for. The children stand in awe of the tree sparkling with candles and decorations.

The festivities begin. A march is played. Presents are given out to the children. Suddenly, as the owl-topped clock strikes eight, a mysterious figure enters the room. It is Herr Drosselmeyer, a local councilman, magician, and Clara and Fritz's godfather. He is also a talented toymaker who has brought with him gifts for the children, including four lifelike dolls who dance to the delight of all. Drosselmeyer then has the precious dolls put away for safekeeping.
Clara and Fritz are sad to see the dolls taken away, but Drosselmeyer has yet another toy for them: a wooden nutcracker carved in the shape of a little man, used for cracking hazelnuts. The other children ignore it, but Clara immediately takes a liking to it. Fritz, however, purposely breaks the toy. Clara is heartbroken.
During the night, after everyone else has gone to bed, Clara returns to the parlor to check on her beloved nutcracker. As she reaches the little bed, the clock strikes midnight and she looks up to see Drosselmeyer perched atop the clock in place of the owl. Suddenly, mice begin to fill the room and the Christmas tree begins to grow to dizzying heights. The Nutcracker also grows to life-size. Clara finds herself in the midst of a battle between an army of Gingerbread man soldiers and the mice, led by the Mouse King. The mice begin to eat the gingerbread soldiers.
The Nutcracker appears to lead the gingerbread soldiers, who are joined by tin soldiers and dolls who serve as doctors to carry away the wounded. As the Mouse King advances on the still-wounded Nutcracker, Clara throws her slipper at him, distracting him long enough for the Nutcracker to stab him.
Scene 2: A Pine Forest
The mice retreat and the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome Prince. He leads Clara through the moonlit night to a pine forest in which the snowflakes dance around them.
Act II Scene 1: The Land of SweetsClara and the Prince travel in a nutshell boat pulled by dolphins to the beautiful Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Prince's place until his return. The Prince recounts for the Sugar Plum Fairy how he had been saved by Clara from the Mouse King and had been transformed back into a Prince.
In honor of the young heroine, a celebration of sweets from around the world is produced: chocolate from Spain, coffee from Arabia, and tea from China all dance for their amusement; candy canes from Russia; Danish shepherdesses perform on their flutes; Mother Gigogne has her children emerge from under her enormous skirt to dance; a string of beautiful flowers perform a waltz. To conclude the night, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a dance.
A final waltz is performed by all the sweets, after which Clara and the Prince are crowned rulers of The Land of Sweets. Soon, however, the people of the land of the sweets begin to disappear one by one, until the Nutcracker Prince himself disappears, and Clara is found sleeping in the parlor. The Nutcracker Doll is under the Christmas tree. Clara awakes, thinking it was all a dream, but then finds her crown sitting beside her, leading to question, was it a dream? She walks to the Christmas tree and takes her Nutcracker, going back to sleep, the implication being that if it was all a dream, that she would want to keep dreaming.

Welcome Christmas!

2012-12-10T21:33:00.000-06:00

Who doesn't love How The Grinch Stole Christmas? Get it? 'Who'....

Anyway, this cartoon has been an annual tradition for many families since it was first aired in 1966. The song at the end is a Dr. Seuss classic. Welcome Christmas is joyful and fun!

Welcome Christmas - Dr. Seuss

Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze!

Welcome Christmas! Come this way!

Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze!

Welcome Christmas! Christmas Day!

Welcome, Welcome Fah who rah-moose

Welcome, Welcome Dah who dah-moose

Christmas day is in our grasp

So long as we have hands to clasp

Fah who for-aze! Fah who dor-aze!

Bring your cheer

Fah who for-aze!

Dah who dor-aze!

Welcome all Who's

Far and near

Welcome Christmas, fah who rah-moose

Welcome Christmas, dah who dah-moose

Christmas day will always be

Just so long as we have we

Fah who for-aze

Dah who dor-aze

Welcome Christmas

Bring your light

(Bridge)

Welcome Christmas

Fah who rah-moose!

Welcome Christmas

Dah who dah-moose!

Welcome Christmas

While we stand

Heart to heart

And hand in hand

Fah who for-aze

Dah who dor-aze

Welcome welcome

Christmas

Christmas Day

Wonderful Christmastime

2012-12-09T20:25:00.000-06:00

While this song doesn't really convey the true meaning of Christmas, it sure is a catchy tune.

Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

The moon is right
The spirit's up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

The party's on
The feelin's here
That only comes
This time of year

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

The choir of children sing their song
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding, oh, oh

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

The word is out
About the town
To lift a glass
Ah, don't look down

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

The choir of children sing their song
They practiced all year long

Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong

The party's on
The spirit's up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

The moon is right
The spirit's up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

Oh, Christmas time

Christmas With A Capital C

2012-12-08T19:31:00.000-06:00

Go Fish has a unique Christmas song that my family loves. Christmas with a Capital C talks about how our society is trying to kill all public displays of Christmas. Every year there's more stories of atheists and atheist organizations trying to stifle Christmas. There really is a 'war on Christmas' going on, and Christians need to take a stand and put an end to it.

I saw someone post this the other day, "My faith is personal, but it's not private." This is so true. Any Christian that follows the 'politically correct' garbage that says you have to leave your faith at home has forgotten Christ's command:

Matthew 28:18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Brad Stine, the comedian that you hear talking during the song, has this to say about it: http://bradstine.com/2011/12/christmas-with-a-capital-c/

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas With A Capital C - Go Fish
"IT'S CALLED CHRISTMAS WITH A CAPITAL C "

It's called Christmas!

Well I went to the coffee shop to get myself a mocha,
The lady at the counter said "Happy holidays";
I said, "Thanks lady, I am pretty happy,
But there's only one holiday that makes me feel that way."

It's called Christmas, what more can I say?
It's about the birth of Christ
and you can't take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that's not what it will be.
It's called Christmas with a capital "C."

God's got a law and we pretty much destroyed it.
We're gonna get judged, there's no way to avoid it.
But Jesus came down to take the punishment for me.
He did it for you too, so maybe you can see . . .

Why It's called Christmas, what more can I say?
It's about the birth of Christ
and you can't take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that's not what it will be.
It's called Christmas with a capital "C."

It's called Christmas!
It's called Christmas!
It's called Christmas!
It's called Christmas!

It's called Christmas, what more can I say?
It's about the birth of Christ
and you can't take that away.
You can call it something else,
but that's not what it will be.
It's called Christmas with a capital "C."

Reason For The Season

2012-12-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

We tend to get caught up in the commercialism that surrounds Christmas. Black Friday! Cyber Monday! Trees! Lights! Decorations! Gifts! While there is nothing inherently wrong with any of that, it becomes wrong when we let it overshadow the true meaning of Christmas. There's one person that I know of that sums it up best. Linus:

I think this song says it best. Christ is the reason for the season. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Some of you may not consider this to be a classic Christmas song, but I sure do! Stryper, the pioneering Christian Metal band released this in 1986 in a re-release of their groundbreaking EP The Yellow And Black Attack!. I wish they'd release a full-length Christmas album!

Reason For The Season - Stryper
You, you say that you've got it figured out
That life's about, you do what you want to.

You, you walk the tightrope of unbelief
Can't you see? His way is reality.

We all know it's better to give than receive.
Then why don't we give God the glory?

Don't hide it, don't fight it, just believe.

He is the reason for the season.
He is the reason for today.
He is the reason for the season.
Celebrate, celebrate.

Your life can be a holiday
Everyday when He is with you.

Hey (HEY!), let's get back to what it's all about.
Shout it out. Christ is the reason.

We all know it's better to give than receive
His gift is for those who beleive.

You got it if you want it, just beleive.

He is the reason for the season.
He is the reason for today.
He is the reason for the season.

Celebrate.

We all know it's better to give than receive
Then why don't we give God the glory?

We all know it's better to give than receive
His gift is for those who beleive.

You got it if you want it, just beleive.

He is the reason for the season.
He is the reason for today.
He is the reason for the season.

Celebrate. Celebrate.

Little Drummer Boy/Adoration

2012-12-06T21:30:00.000-06:00

No matter your style, The Little Drummer Boy is one of the most well known and loved songs of the Christmas season. I remember watching the claymation video every year as a child. Most people are very familiar with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version of this song. It gets a ton of radio airplay around Christmas time. I like that version, but I like more modern renditions of it too.

At the bottom of this post you'll also find a song by The Newsboys called Adoration. It's basically the same story as The Little Drummer Boy. Most people don't really think about it, mainly due to the fact it was released on a worship album containing other songs, but this is a powerful and beautiful Christmas song. Check it out below the Little Drummer Boy lyrics.

I found this great video featuring the Whiteheart version of the song. This video is not by Whiteheart, but the message in it is beautiful.

Whiteheart Version

At the request of a friend, I've also included this version by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. :)

Bing Crosby/David Bowie Version

The Little Drummer Boy - Traditional Lyrics

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Adoration

This reminds me of a passage in Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. As summarized by Leigh Nash of the band Sixpense None The Richer when telling David Letterman about the origin of the band's name:

It comes from a book by C. S. Lewis called Mere Christianity. A little boy asks his father if he can get a sixpence—a very small amount of English currency—to go and get a gift for his father. The father gladly accepts the gift and he's really happy with it, but he also realizes that he's not any richer for the transaction. C.S. Lewis was comparing that to his belief that God has given him, and us, the gifts that we possess, and to serve Him the way we should, we should do it humbly—realizing how we got the gifts in the first place.

Adoration. What more can we give the One who owns it all anyway?

Adoration - The Newsboys
I'm here with the others
Who saw the heavens testify
Now I hang back in the shadows
I want to come close
I want to know

She sees me shivering here
She smiles and with a nod
I walk through the mud and straw
To the newborn Son of God

Come, let us adore Him
He has come down to this barren land
Where we live
And all I have to give Him
Is adoration

He raises a wrinkled hand
Through the dust and the flies
Wrapped in rags like we are

And with barely open eyes
He takes my finger
And He won't let go
And He won't let go

It's nothing like I knew before
And it's all I need to know

Come, let us adore Him
He has come down to the world we live in
And all I have to give Him
Is adoration

God is with us here
Our Immanuel

God is with us here
Our Immanuel

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him

Jesus, our Immanuel
Is with us here and He won't let go

Come, let us adore Him
He has come down to the world we live in
And all I have to give Him
Is adoration

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him

Gabriel's Message

2012-12-05T21:30:00.000-06:00

Sting sang what I think is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs of the season. Gabriel's Message was featured on A Very Special Christmas, a benefit album for Special Olympics, as well as Sting's "Russians" and "If On A Winter's night..."

It is based on the Annunciation of The Lord to the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel that she shall miraculously conceive and give birth and name the baby Jesus.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

The video's kinda weird, but here ya go:

Gabriel's Message - Sting

The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow
His eyes as flame
"All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

"For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel,
By seers foretold
Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

The gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name."
Most highly favoured lady Gloria!

Of her Emmanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn
And everyone through out the world will ever say
Most highly favoured lady Gloria!

The Christmas Song

2012-12-04T18:00:00.000-06:00

One of the most famous Christmas songs is, of course, The Christmas Song. This is one of those songs that just about everyone who's recorded Christmas songs has performed, but probably the most known and loved is by Nat King Cole. The song was co-written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. Tormé said that "the song was written during a blistering hot summer. In an effort to 'stay cool by thinking cool', the most-performed Christmas song was born." (Wikipedia)

The Christmas Song - As sung by Nat King Cole

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright,
Tiny tots with their eyes all a-glow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh,
And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it's been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

[musical interlude]

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it's been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

God With Us

2012-12-03T21:56:00.000-06:00

What could possibly say Christmas more than the word Emmanuel?

Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us."

Amy Grant's rendition of the song Emmanuel is another Christmas classic. Most people think Amy wrote the song, but actually it was another well known CCM artist that wrote it.... Michael W. Smith.

Emmanuel - As sung by Amy Grant

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Wonderful, Counselor!

Lord of life, Lord of all;

He's the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Wonderful, Counselor!

Lord of life, Lord of all;

He's the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Wonderful, Counselor!

Lord of life, Lord of all;

He's the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, (Emmanuel, Emmanuel), Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, (Emmanuel, Emmanuel), Emmanuel.

Wonderful, Counselor!

Lord of life, Lord of all;

He's the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel....

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Snoopy's Christmas

2012-12-02T23:18:00.003-06:00

One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs is Snoopy's Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen. The Peanuts are awesome, of course, and Charlie Brown's Christmas is a fond memory of many people. A timeless classic. Check this out from Wikipedia:

A followup to their earlier "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron", the song is about how Snoopy had to go out and fight the Red Baron on Christmas Eve. The Baron has Snoopy at his mercy after a long dogfight but, instead of shooting him down he forces Snoopy to land and offers Snoopy a holiday toast. Afterward, Snoopy and the Red Baron fly their separate ways, "each knowing they'd meet on some other day".^[1]The release begins with a male chorus singing the German yuletide classic "O Tannenbaum" ("O Christmas Tree"), and the middle of the song is bridged by chimes ringing out a phrase from "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". The chimes can also can be heard during the fade out at the end of the song.
Although fictitious, the song recalls a historical event. During World War I, in 1914, "The Christmas Truce" was initiated not by German and British commanders, but by the soldiers themselves.^[2] The length of the cease-fire varied by location, and was reported to have been as brief as Christmas Day or as long as the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Trench-bound combatants exchanged small gifts across the lines, with Germans giving beer to the British, who sent tobacco and tinned meat back in return. No Man's Land was cleared of dead bodies, trenches were repaired and drained, and troops from both sides shared pictures of their families and, in some places, used No Man's Land for friendly games of football.^[3] The song even has the initiator correct as it was generally the German soldiers who called over to the British and initiated the truce and, in the song, it is the Red Baron—a German WWI hero—who extends the hand of Christmas friendship to Snoopy.

Snoopy's Christmas - The Royal Guardsmen

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,

(O Christmas tree, O Christmas Tree)

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

(Of all the trees most lovely)

The news had come out in the First World War
The bloody Red Baron was flying once more

The Allied command ignored all of its men
And called on Snoopy to do it again.

Twas the night before Christmas, 40 below
When Snoopy went up in search of his foe
He spied the Red Baron, fiercely they fought
With ice on his wings Snoopy knew he was caught.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ring out from the land
Asking peace of all the world
And good will to man
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/christmas_songs/snoopys_christmas.html ]
The Baron had Snoopy dead in his sights
He reached for the trigger to pull it up tight
Why he didn't shoot, well, we'll never know
Or was it the bells from the village below.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ringing through the land
Bringing peace to all the world
And good will to man

The Baron made Snoopy fly to the Rhine
And forced him to land behind the enemy lines
Snoopy was certain that this was the end
When the Baron cried out, "Merry Christmas, my friend"

The Baron then offered a holiday toast
And Snoopy, our hero, saluted his host
And then with a roar they were both on their way
Each knowing they'd meet on some other day.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ringing through the land
Bringing peace to all the world
And good will to man