More ‘Behind The Christmas Songs’ From Sue Moore

Ha!  Don't you just love Christmas music?  So much rich history, so many songs from long ago, so many memories, of years gone by, and some beautiful songs rich with depth, warmth, and nostalgia...

This is one of my favorites:

'Christmas Canon' as performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is from their 1998 album entitled, 'The Christmas Attic.'  It is set to the song, 'Canon in D Major,'  which I believe I learned years ago in piano lessons.   It has a string accompaniment.  On TSO's Official Website, the story is provided to explain the album, the poetry and the lyrics.

Here is an exerpt, which can be found in it's entirety, by clicking here, 

 "Lord," the Angel humbly asked, "If I may take nothing with me, how can I leave something behind, especially a gift so great that it will benefit all of mankind?" But the Lord only smiled and pointed out that he should leave swiftly for his time was quickly passing. And so the Angel now found himself lost deep in the labyrinth of his problem.   But as he sat there pondering, the Angel suddenly felt his soul being touched by the prayer of a child. Now this was quite unusual, for on this night most children were long asleep in the anticipation of all the magic and possibilities the next morning would bring.

'Where Are You Christmas?'  As performed by Faith Hill, was originally supposed to be a Mariah Carey song.

Mariah Carey co-wrote a song for the movie, 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' back in the year 2000.  A longer and different version of the song, became, 'Where Are You Christmas', and originally recorded by Mariah, but she had some legal issues with her ex, Tommy Mottola, that prevented it's release.

According to [Undercover Music News] Faith Hill had this to say: "I've been trying to put something out for the holidays for a long time, but never seemed to be able to find the time. It's an incredible song, a great story that everyone grew up with and Jim Carrey is amazing. I'm thrilled to be a part of this project."  The song was included in the Jim Carrey flick, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

David Foster's, 'The Carol Of The Bells,' is a song that has been recorded, performed, parodied, and arranged by many musicians.  The song is based on a Ukrainian folk chant, and originally associated with the coming of spring in April, not Christmas. It was written in 1916, and made it's US debut at Carnegie Hall October 15, 1921, according to BJ Almond from Rice University.  You can read his publication by clicking here. New lyrics were added and published in 1936, adding 'bells,' and the new title of, 'Carol Of The Bells,' which allowed for the general public to attribute this song with Christmas.

Do you have a favorite Christmas song?