SUNDAY FUNDAY - DECEMBER 11, 2022

 SUNDAY FUNDAY

DECEMBER 11, 2022

WARM-UP

The Bluebonnet Orchestra Christmas Concert is this afternoon at 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Round Rock). FREE!!!

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In the past few weeks, we’ve had some winter, some spring, some (almost) summer, and some fall.  

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Name that Christmas Tune- Answers at the bottom

Here are snippets of lyrics - name the song!!

1. Tis the season to be jolly

2. Sweetly singing over the plain

3. All is calm

4. Over the hills and everywhere

5. And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh

6. The stars are brightly shining

7. Peace on earth will come to all if we just follow the light

8. How lovely are thy branches

9. With every Christmas Card I write

10. Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile

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Silent Night is a favorite of many.  In my research, I found this: Whereas “Silent Night” can be heard on radio stations throughout the entire pre-Christmas period in other countries and cultures, a strict rule is adhered to in the Alpine region: “Silent Night” may only be sung on December 24 — and ideally just during the actual Christmas Eve Mass.

A particularly deterring story is told to children in Bavaria, where it is said that if a person sings the song on any day other than 24 December, a person will die.

(But, we’re not in Bavaria!!!)

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How about A Singing Christmas Cowboy?

Gene Autry

“America's Favorite Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry was already a popular radio star and movie icon when he recorded Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) in 1947, a song which he co-wrote with Oakley Haldeman. The record launched Gene into yet another field of stardom, that of the role of the Christmas Cowboy. Gene Autry's affiliation with Old Saint Nick would lead him to record numerous Christmas songs including the chart-topping holiday hit, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Gene also participated in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 1945, 1946, and 1947, and was the Grand Marshal of the parade in 1980. Gene and his wife Jackie Autry rode in the parade in the early 1980s.

https://www.geneautry.com/clubhouse/christmas/index.html

The first big hit - Here Comes Santa Claus - Right Down Santa Claus Lane

“Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane

Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeers pulling on the reins
Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright
So hang your stockings and say your prayers, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane
He's got a bag that's filled with toys for boys and girls again
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle, oh what a beautiful sight
So jump in bed and cover your head, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus Lane
He'll come around when chimes ring out that it's Christmastime again
Peace on earth will come to all if we just follow the light
So let's give thanks to the Lord above, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeers pulling on the reins
Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright
So jump in bed and cover your head, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight

He is a miracle come to all if we just follow the light

So let's give thanks to the Lord above, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight

So let's give thanks to the Lord above, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight

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Seemingly Gene Autry, already a singing cowboy star, was needing a side B song and whipped out this song - remembering riding down Hollywood Boulevard in the Hollywood Christmas Parade on Champion (‘the wonder horse”).  It was an instant hit in 1947.

The article suggests that he was demoing the song to a friend who was having a drink with ice cubes - the friend was shaking the ice and it sounded like jingle bells - so they added jingle bells to the recording!!!

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And, another Autry classic - even more popular - Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen

Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen

But do you recall

The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose

And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows

All of the other reindeer

Used to laugh and call him names

They never let poor Rudolph

Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say

"Rudolph, with your nose so bright

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then how the reindeer loved him

As they shouted out with glee

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You'll go down in history"

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Do you know the version with the “echo”?  I had a niece that loved to sing this with the extra comments:

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)

had a very shiny nose. (like a light bulb!)

And if you ever saw him, (saw him)

you would even say it glows. (like a light bulb)

All of the other reindeer (reindeer)

used to laugh and call him names. (Like Pinocchio!)

They never let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)

join in any reindeer games. (Like Monopoly!)

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say (ho ho ho)

“Rudolph with your nose so bright,

won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

Then all the reindeer loved him (loved him)

as they shouted out with glee, (Yippie!)

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, (reindeer)

you’ll go down in history! (Like Christopher Columbus)

WRAP-UP

Tis the season to be Jolly!!!  

Do take time to visit with your family, loved ones, and friends this time of year!!!

LOVE WINS
KAREN WHITE, DECEMBER 7TH, 2022

Answers:

1 - Deck the Halls

2 - Angels we have heard on high

3 - Silent Night

4 - Go tell it on the Mountains

5 - Away in a Manager

6 - O Holy Night

7 - Santa Claus is coming tonight

8 - O Tannebaum

9 - White Christmas

10 - Silver Bells