Monday, December 12, 2011

Music Monday: Christmas Carols

Jingle Bells............... Can you finish the line?   How about this one? Silent night..........  You can sing these Christmas carols this holiday season, or maybe you prefer to listen to recordings of them. Also, it's always a treat to hear choirs singing the Christmas carols.


 Here is my favourite, The Christmas Song, by Nat King Cole. He did several versions of this song from the forties, fifties and the early 1960's. Unfortunately he was a smoker and died young, but his song continues on each Christmas.


I'm not the only person who loves this song. In 2004, The Christmas Song was the most popular holiday song with women age 30 to 49.*  So, why is it my favourite? My father loved to play this song, and I guess the next generation can't help but enjoy this gifted singer's voice and his wonderful song.



Listen again and follow the words. It's full of Christmas tradition.



How much do you know about holiday traditions?
 True=T   False=F


1.   Many people roast nuts called chestnuts in the fireplace.   T/ F


2.   Jack Frost is ice cold, but he is not a real person.   T/F


3.   Goose is more popular than turkey for Christmas dinner.   T/F


4.   The mistletoe plant is hung at a door for people to kiss under.  T/ F


5.   The young children believe in Santa Claus.      T/F


6.   Santa brings toys and candies to the good boys and girls.      T/F


7.  The excited children look in the sky for Santa and Mrs. Claus.   T/F


8.   Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays are popular greetings.    T/F




* From Edison Media Research: What we learned from testing Christmas music in 2004

Monday, December 5, 2011

Music Monday: The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas is a popular song because it easy for people of all ages to sing. It starts, 
"The first day of Christmas, 
my true love gave to me....." 


Each day for twelve days this lucky woman receives a special gift. The words are easy, but it is difficult to remember all twelve gifts and the order of the gifts. Listen to the song, then see if you can remember the twelve gifts.



1.   On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)   a pair of pear trees
b)   a partridge in a pair tree
c)   a  piper piping


2.    On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)   two turtle drums
b)   two French hens
c)   two turtle doves


3.   On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)   three French hens
b)   three free chickens
c)   three Lords a leaping


4.   On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)   four French birds 
b)    four cawing birds
c)    four calling birds


5.   On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)   five olden rings
b)   five gold rings
c)   five golden rings


6.    On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)    six maids a milking
b)    six geese a laying
c)    six geese swimming


7.    On the seventh day of  Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)    seven swans a laying
b)    seven swans a swimming
c)    seven geese a swimming


8.   On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)   eight ladies singing
b)   eight maidens leaping
c)   eight maids a milking


9.   On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)   nine ladies leaping
b)   nine ladies dancing
c)   nine lads a leaping


10.  On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)   ten lads a leaping
b)   ten ladies  a singing
c)   ten lords a leaping


11.  On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)  eleven pipers playing
b)  eleven pipers piping
c)   eleven piping pipers


12.  On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me


a)  twelve runners running
b)  twelve pipers piping
c)  twelve drummers drumming


****lords and laidies are part of the high society of England