1. |
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This Season Will Never Grow Old
Lyrics and music by Rita MacNeil
Christmas is coming, I can tell by the smiles,
I remember the snowflakes that fell from the sky,
And covered the village that lay sleeping below,
Thank goodness this season will never grow old.
I look through the window well into the night,
Watching and waiting and hoping I might,
See one little reindeer fly through the snow,
Thank goodness this season will never grow old.
Christmas is coming, may joy fill your home,
And the spirit be with you wherever you go.
Trees full of branches were the first ones to go,
I remember the children who came to the door,
And sang out the carols we all used to know,
Thank goodness will never grow old.
Now, all ‘round the fire, the warmth of the flame,
Tip-toeing softly, trying not to awake,
The ones who lay waiting for good things you know,
Thank goodness this season will never grow old.
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2. |
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In the Light of One Bright Star
Lyrics and music by Clary Croft
In the light of one bright star, stood two weary souls,
At the gate of Bethlehem, seeking shelter from the cold,
No one had a room, where they could find rest,
So in a stable, Mary brought a baby to her breast.
High up in the sky, showing them the way,
Shone a star to light the manger where the baby lay,
Shepherds came to watch, leaving flocks behind,
Wise men travelled from the East, the wonderous babe to find.
Noel, Noel.
May the star that shone that night, shine within your heart.
On that Christmas night, so many year ago,
Shone a star to herald a simple message for the world,
Look within your heart, find it shining still,
Peace on earth, good will to all, let kindness be your will.
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3. |
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Duan Nollaig/Christmas Song
Traditional, Helen Creighton collection
Mu’n àm seo dhe na bhliadhna,
Tha “Santa Claus” cho fialaidh,
Is’ daoine s’iad fo fhiabhrus,
Ag iarraidh chun na craoibh.
Bhi dèanamh “time” do phàisdean,
Mar chleacheadh anns an àite,
Bhi chluiche, ‘us ceòl gàire,
Ri fhaichinn air gach taobh.
Is aithne dhuibh a chàirdean,
Dach eil sinn math air bàrdachd,
Cead soraidh dhuibh an dràsda,
Agus bliadhna mhath ùr.
Around this time of year
Santa Claus is so generous,
And everyone is under a fever
Seeking trees.
Making time for your children,
As is the custom in the place,
Playing, music and laughter
Will be seen on both sides
Do you know friends,
Aren’t they good at poetry,
Farewell to you now
And a happy new year
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4. |
The Cherry Tree Carol
02:20
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The Cherry Tree Carol
Traditional: Helen Creighton collection from the singing of William Riley.
Well, Joseph took Mary upon his right knee,
Saying, “Mary, won’t you tell me when the birthday shall be?”
Saying, “Mary, won’t you tell me when the birthday shall be?”
“The birthday shall be on that old Christmas night,
When the angels in the Glory rejoice at the sight,
When the angels in the Glory rejoice at the sight.”
Oh, Mary walked in the garden just like a little child,
Saying, “Give me some cherries for I am beguiled,”
Saying, “Give me some cherries for I am beguiled.”
Then Joseph said to Mary, “I’ll give thee no cherries,
Let the man give you cherries who did you beguile,
Let the man give you cherries who did you beguile.”
Then the tree spoke unto Mary and it began to bow,
Saying, “Mary, gather cherries from the uppermost bough,”
Saying, “Mary, gather cherries from the uppermost bough.”
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5. |
Mes Noëls en Acadie
02:03
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Mes Noël En Acadie
Lyrics and music by Angèle Arsenault.
Quand je pense a mes Noël, a mes Noël en Acadie,
Quand je pense a mes Noël, je suis pleine de nostalgie.
Mon père faisait nos cadeax, avec sa scie et son marteau,
Ma mère faisait des repas, bon a s’en lecher les dougt.
On coupait un grand sapin, dans la foret du voisin,
Pis on acrochait nos bas, en revant a Saint Nicholas.
Après la messe de minuit, enfin l’avent était fini,
Alors on pouvait s’regaler, des bonbon et des pates.
Puis c’était la tradition, mon père jouait du violon,
Et toute la famille chantait, c’est comme ca que l’on s’amait.
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6. |
Song of the Oxen
01:34
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Song of the Oxen
Lyrics and Music by Clary Croft
Soft on this dark and wintery night,
Cattle are lowing and birds rest from flight,
Into the stable there comes great,
Jesus Christ is born.
There are no voices the joy to shout,
Only the creatures who gather about,
So the ox and the ass and the cock sing out,
Proclaiming the joyous news.
Christus Natus Est, Ubi, Ubi,
Bethlehem, Bethlehem.
Christus Natus Est, Ubi, Ubi,
Bethlehem, Bethlehem.
This is the legend this night replayed,
Creatures are given the power to say,
All that they sang on that joyous day,
Announcing the new born king.
Haste to the stable to find them there,
Ever so softly for you must not hear,
Theirs is a message that rings out clear,
But only for God’s own joy.
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7. |
Christmas Eve Waltz
03:31
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Christmas Eve Waltz
Lyrics and music by Clary Croft
The children are nestled all snug in their beds,
With dreams of the morning to come,
Their stocking are hung and their prayers are all said,
And this is our moment, we are as one.
I’ve wrapped the last present, you’ve tied the last bow,
The tree shines and twinkles so bright,
Your eyes look so warm in the soft candle glow,
As I take your hand on our most special night.
And oh, how we waltz ‘round the floor,
To a tune just the two of us share,
And the song of our love is the music we hear,
For you are my Christmas each day of the year.
This year’s not been easy, the work’s not been there,
But you’ve somehow made everything right,
I could give up so much, except for the touch,
Of your soft hand in mine on our most special night.
And oh, how we waltz ‘round the floor,
To a tune just the two of us share,
And the song of our love is the music we hear,
For you are my Christmas each day of the year.
Oh, waltz ‘round the floor,
To a tune just the two of us share,
And we won’t need a present to show how we care,
For you are my Christmas each day of the year.
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8. |
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Tàladh Chriosda, The Christ Child Lullaby
Lyrics by Malcolm Angus McLeod and Norman McAskill.
Helen Creighton collection.
Mo ghaol, mo ghràdh, is m' eudail Thu!
M' ionntas ùr is m' èibhneas Thu!
Mo mhacan àlainn, ceutach Thu!
Chan fhiù mi fhèin a bhith ad dhàil.
Haleluia, ...
Tha mi 'g altrum Rlgh na Mòrachd,
'S mise mathair Dhe na Glòrach,
Nach buidhe, nach sona dhòmhsa,
Tha mo chridhe làn de shòlas!
Mo ghaol an t-sùil a sheallas tlàth!
Mo ghaol an chridh’ tha lìont’ le gràdh,
Ged is leanabh Thu gun chàil
Is lìonmhor buaidh tha ort a' fàs.
'S Tusa grian gheal an dòchais,
Chuireas dorchadas air fògairt;
Bheir Thu clann-daoin' bho staid bhrònaich,
Gu naomhachd, soilleireachd is eòlas.
Hallelujah, …
My love, my love and my treasure are You,
My treasure and my joy are You,
My lovely, becoming son are You,
I'm not worthy of being near You.
I'm rearing the King of Majesty,
I'm the mother of the God of Glory,
How fortunate, how happy for me,
My heart is full of joy.
My love the eye that looks mild,
My love the heart that is filled with love,
Though You be a baby without a strong constitution,
Many are the virtues which on You grow.
You're the fair/white sun of hope,
Who banishes darkness,
You bring the children of men from a sorry state,
To holiness, illumination and knowledge.
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9. |
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10. |
Bethlehem
02:51
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Bethlehem
Lyrics and Music by Clark Brown
It was a long time ago in Bethlehem,
Though the story’s been told and told,
It was a night just like any other,
It was so simple, and yet we still hold
On to the images of the baby child,
Tender and cared for and loved so dear,
What did he bring that has carried us all these years.
If he were here today, would we know him,
Or would our hearts not see,
If he was here what have we to show him,
With what he might find, would he be pleased?
This time of year when the lights are all aglow,
And the world pauses; hush in time,
As our hearts soften with tender memories,
Holding our breath and waking up to find,
It was a long time ago and still we are
Such a long way from what he sees,
It was a long time but Bethlehem still believes.
Do we still try to live like he showed us,
Lifting each other high,
Do we still try to live like he told us,
Giving our best to those who pass by?
Jingle and jangle, the bells go ringing,
Sprinkle and sparkle, the snow falls down,
Tingle and tangle, our hearts are singing,
Silent the night, only the night sounds,
It was a long time ago in Bethlehem, and the baby child loved so dear,
What did he bring that has carried us all these years?
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11. |
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Park Street/Wake Oh My Soul
Published in The Harmonicon, by James Dawson and Son, Pictou, Nova Scotia, 1855.
Arrangement by Jay Perry
Wake oh my soul, and hail the morn,
For unto us a savior’s born,
See how the angels wing their way,
To usher in the glorious day,
To usher in the glorious day.
Hark, what sweet music, what a song,
Sounds from the bright celestial throng,
Sweet song whose melting sounds impart,
Joy to each raptured listening heart,
Joy to each raptured listening heart.
Come, join the angels in the sky,
Glory to God who reigns on high,
Let peace and love on earth abound,
While time revolves and years roll ‘round,
While time revolves and years roll ‘round.
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12. |
Light of the Stable
01:51
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Light of the Stable
Lyrics and music by Steve and Elizabeth Rhymer
Hail, hail to the new born king, let our voices sing him our praises,
Hail, hail to the guiding light, that brought us tonight to our stable.
Hallelujah …
Come now where it shine so bright, to the knowing light of the stable,
Kneel close to the child so dear, cast aside your fears and be thankful.
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13. |
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I Wanna See your Picture in the Wishbook
Lyrics and Music by Clary Croft
I wanna see your picture in the Wish Book,
I’ll send an order, mark it C.O.D.,
I’m gonna tell Santa that I’ve been good,
So he will bring you to me,
On Christmas Eve, when I hang up my stocking,
I’ll wish with all my might,
That in the morning you’ll waiting ‘neath my tree,
So we can snuggle up on Christmas night.
I wanna see your picture in the Wish Book,
‘Cause you’re the gift I want this year,
Santa knows that I’ve been naughty, but I’m trying to be nice,
And I’m wishing hard that he will bring you here,
So, when I hang my stocking by the chimney,
I’ll be crossing all my fingers and my toes,
That my wishes turn to kisses from that magic book of wishes,
‘Cause I’ve ordered from the Wish Book this year.
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Clary Croft Nova Scotia
Clary is a folklore researcher, author and recording artist. His newly published memoirs, Clary Croft: My Charmed Life in Music, Art, and Folklore, chronicles a career spanning over fifty years. His work with the traditional music from the Creighton Collection, has caused Clary to be called, “the acknowledged master of one of the richest repertoires in Canada.” [Halifax Mail Star] ... more
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