Friday, December 10, 2010

Favorite Lesser Known Christmas Songs

So, we've been listening to B101 for the past two weeks, because they play non-stop Christmas music from Thanksgiving until I get sick of it. I don't listen to it all that often, only in the car or in the shower. Maybe I listen to about 10 hours a week. And yet it seems like I hear some version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town every single time I turn the radio on. And Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer almost as often. I have nothing against these songs, but it would be nice to have a little more variety. From various free and legal download sites, I obtained 13+ hours of Christmas music this year. Sure, my collection includes 8 versions of "O Holy Night" but by and large, I feel like I have more variety on my computer than B101 has in their rotation.

So, if you're getting tired of the same Christmas music, like me, I'd like to recommend a few lesser known Christmas songs that are tucked away in my memory from such places as school choir concerts from my childhood.

This Little Babe


D'ou Viens-Tu Bergère?


Old Toy Trains


The Huron Carol ('Twas in the Moon of Wintertime)


Petit Papa Noel


Hmm, as I compile this list, I realize that I should probably have titled it, "Favorite Canadian Christmas Songs." I guess that explains why I don't hear them on American radio!

Do you have any favorites you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them!

4 comments:

jd said...

Or does it say even more about your French Immersion Canadian upbringing??!!

jd said...

My favourite has always been "Silent Night". But I really like "Birthday of a King". As for Christmas songs, I like "Chestnuts Roasting By An Open Fire".

Unknown said...

Ohhh, I <3 Benjamin Britten. I sang Ceremony of Carols in choir as a kid and that has always been my favourite christmas music!

The chorales from the Messiah are right up there, too, for the same reason...especially "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" and "Hallelujah".

Two others that stuck with me: "Gabriel's Message", for arresting lyrics and an appropriately mysterious/spooky melody. Sting has quite a nice rendition of this one, actually. And the lovely "El Cant Dels Ocelles" or "Carol of the Birds"...you can find both on YouTube, I think, if you're interested.

Commission de surendettement said...

Great youtube video. nice !