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The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Monday, December 4, 2023

Favorite Christmas Carols for Singing at a Party? (r)

 

A reader question:

I have a question for my fellow Salt Water New England readers.  Every year someone from my family hosts the Christmas party, and this year it is our turn.  In the past, we have sung Christmas Carols, but over the last few years the tradition has died down.  I am planning to resurrect it accompanied by a piano.  So, long story, what are some favorite Christmas Carols for singing? 

26 comments:

  1. The first one that popped into my mind was "Good King Wenceslas" at a pretty peppy pace.

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    1. Good King Wenceslas went down
      riding on a pony.
      Stuck a feather in his hat
      and called it cannelloni.
      Mary had a little lamb
      it's fleece was white as snow.
      If he hollers let him go,
      eeney meeney miney moe.

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  2. Hands down it's Merry Christmas from the Fam-o-ly by Robert Earl Keen. Hand out the lyrics.

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    1. While this song is about as far from the SWNE aesthetic as one can get, it’s a modern classic, my family loves it too, and I’m glad it’s on this list.

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    2. Listening to this or watching Tuna Christmas (or any of the Tuna plays or The Foreigner) will provide tremendous insights to one slice of the diverse cultures of the south.

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    1. Silent Night. It's a wonderful idea to resurrect the tradition.

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  4. Silver Bells is a must for me!

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  5. Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in the Manger, In the Bleak Mid-Winter, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuel, The First Noel, Joy to the World, etc...All the old favorites.

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  6. Anything — anything — except for "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Feliz Navidad".

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    1. Anything — anything — you say? How about Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer - be careful what you wish for.

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    2. Amen. I am deeply sorry that a man of Jose Feliciano's talent is widely known only for "Feliz Navidad."

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    3. Cue Barking Jingle Bells!

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  7. “Joy to the World” and “Deck the Halls” to be sure - High praise for bringing back the tradition. It’s an integral party of our annual event. God bless and enjoy the season!

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  8. Silent Night, The Holy and the Ivy. Simple classics!

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  9. I would stick to classics that everyone will know and that are fun and upbeat. My favorite Christmas song though is In the Bleak Midwinter. I really love the version from the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. GLH

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  10. "Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel" by the Clare College choir; on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPV8PEBTAQ0

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  11. Darke’s In the Bleak Midwinter and the Wexford Carol

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  12. Jingle Bells, but only after sufficient quantities of Gluhwein has been served.

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  13. Un Flambeau, Jeannette Isabelle, Oh How a Rose E’er Blooming, and Away in a Manger are some of my favorites that have not yet been mentioned!

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  14. Ding dong merrily on high!

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