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  • Archive for the 'Christmas' Category

    Contents

    French and Occitan Christmas Carol Links

    Christmas in Thailand and a New Thai Version of Jingle Bells

    A Spanish Christmas Carol called Ay del chiquirritín – Oh, The Poor, Little Baby Boy

    A Cupcake Christmas Tree

    Video Game Gift Ideas for Kids

    Peruvian Christmas Carol – Ya viene el Niñito

    Barbershop Quartet recording of “Stille Nacht!” – “Silent Night” in German

    Christmas in Japan

    It’s Lovely Weather for a Sleigh Ride Together – Jazz Animation

    Stuffed Animals and Robotic Animal Toys for Kids

    Willie Take Your Little Drum – An English Christmas Carol with YouTube Renditions

    Patapan – The French Christmas Carol with a YouTube Video

    Good King Wenceslas – A Carol with a Video – Come Hear it Performed!

    How to Choose a Digital Photo Frame – A Great Gift Idea if You Can Afford It!

    Does Anyone Know a Tagalog Christmas Song?

    Trying to find a Christmas Hymn with the line, “Beneath the olive shadows”

    Does Anyone Know of a Script for a Las Posadas Play for Christmastime?

    Merry Christmas!

    Does Anyone Know of Hand Gestures That Go with the 12 Days of Christmas?

    Does Anyone Know “All Around the World at Christmas Time”?

    Posts

    French and Occitan Christmas Carol Links

    Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

    Here are some Carols you can find the lyrics and translations to and often an mp3, midi, score, YouTube video and French and Spanish Translations – just click the link to access them:

    Occitan Christmas Carols

    Nadal tindaire – Jingling Christmas – from Occitania
    Nadal tindaire – Jingling Christmas – Recording only – from Occitania

    Pastres, rintratz vòstrei tropèus – Shepherds, Bring Your Flocks In – Occitania
    Lo paure Satan – Poor Satan – Occitania

    French Christmas Carols

    Nous étions trois bergerettes – We Were Three Young Shepherdesses – France
    Patapan – France
    Willie Take Your Little Drum – English Version of the French Carol Called Patapan

    Enjoy!

    Mama Lisa

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    Christmas in Thailand and a New Thai Version of Jingle Bells

    Monday, December 22nd, 2008

    Jet sent me a Thai version of Jingle Bells that she wrote. We don’t have any Thai Christmas songs, so I thought it would be nice to post here.

    Here’s the note Jet wrote to me, followed by her song, followed by explanations of some of the Thai words:

    I remembered hearing an Australian version of Jingle Bells, and I found it at your website. Your Australian versions of Jingle Bells prompted my to try my hand at writing a Thai version of the song as follows; hope you like it.

    To be sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells” …

    MP3 of Jingle Bells on Piano

    Dashing through the Soi,
    Clutching at your hat
    Racing with the dogs,
    Chasing off stray cats.
    Hoping it will be cool,
    Finding out you’re wrong
    Red faced and hot and dripping sweat
    You have a cold beer by the khlong.

    Jing-en ben, jing-en ben,
    Christmas time is here,
    Chicken, somtam, sticky rice,
    Good friends and good cheer, oh!

    Sawasdee, from us all,
    Party time is near,
    Sanook time, one and all,
    Good friends and good cheer!

    Use tuk-tuks to get around,
    They have the fastest moves,
    It seems they have no rules,
    They go where they can.
    Hang on for your life,
    Question who is nuts,
    They rev and weave to a fare-thee-well
    You end up praying for your life!

    Jing-en ben, jing-en ben,
    Christmas time is here,
    Chicken, somtam, sticky rice,
    Good friends and good cheer, oh!
    Sawasdee, from us all,
    Party time is near,
    Sanook time, one and all,
    Good friends and good cheer!

    Note:
    Soi = street
    Khlong = canal
    Jing-en ben = the way Thai people pronounce “Jingle Bells”
    Somtam = papaya salad
    Sawasdee = hello
    Sanook = fun
    Tuk-tuk = a three wheeled open vehicle, used to get around the city

    Written by Ms. Jetharee Uditananda in November 2008

    I asked Jet if there are any specific Christmas time traditions in Thailand. Here’s what she wrote:

    There are no specially “Thai” Christmas traditions here that I know of. Only one thing stands out; the Thais have “borrowed” the Western idea of gift giving, parties and family gatherings in the Christmas-New Year period.

    Now, Thais do not only “go home” to their home towns during the Thai New Year (we call it our “Songkran” festival in April), we also take the opportunity of a few days of holiday to “go home” in the Christmas-New Year period to see relatives and loved ones.

    Wishing you a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year Jet

    Thanks Jet!

    Finally, I found on some forums they mentioned that The Alvin and the Chipmunks album is the most popular music in Thailand at Christmastime. (You can hear clips at the link.) They also sing “Jingen Ben Jingen Ben Jingen Aun A Ray” (Jingle Bells), “Sandy Craw iss Comen to Taun” (Santa Claus is Coming to Town) and “I Deeming Ova Why Clissimus” (I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas).

    Many thanks to Ms. Jetharee Uditananda for sharing her version of Jingle Bells with us and for letting us know about Christmas in Thailand. Thanks also to Dave Maddock of Project Gutenberg for the mp3 recording.

    Mama Lisa

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    A Spanish Christmas Carol called Ay del chiquirritín – Oh, The Poor, Little Baby Boy

    Monday, December 22nd, 2008

    I love how this Carol sounds in Spanish. The R’s are a bit challenging to sing – if you’re not a native speaker – at least for me they are!

    Below you’ll find the Spanish lyrics to “Ay del chiquirritín”, followed by an English translation, then an mp3 recording and finally a YouTube video (with slightly different lyrics).

    Enjoy!

    Ay del chiquirritín
    (Spanish Christmas Carol)

    Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
    metidito entre pajas
    Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
    queridín, queridito del alma.

    Entre un buey y una mula Dios ha nacido
    y en un pobre pesebre lo han recogido.

    Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
    metidito entre pajas
    Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
    queridín, queridito del alma.

    Por debajo del arco del portalico
    se descubre a María, José y el Niño.

    Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
    metidito entre pajas
    Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
    queridín, queridito del alma.

    No me mires airado, hijito mío
    mírame con los ojos que yo te miro.

    Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
    metidito entre pajas
    Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
    queridín, queridito del alma.

    Oh, The Poor Little Baby Boy
    (English Translation)

    Oh, the poor little baby boy*, little boy,
    Who is lying in the straw
    Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
    Darling boy, little darling of our soul.

    Between an ox and a donkey, the Child God was born
    And in a poor manger, they received him.

    Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
    Who is lying in the straw
    Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
    Darling boy, little darling of our soul.

    Below the arch of the portal
    We find Mary, Joseph and the Child.

    Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
    Who is lying in the straw
    Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
    Darling boy, little darling of our soul.

    Don’t look at me angrily, my dear little one,
    Look at me the same way as I look at you.

    Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
    Who is lying in the straw
    Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
    Darling boy, little darling of our soul.

    *The literal translation should be “Woe the little boy”. But that sounded too strong for a current translation so “poor little boy” seems more accurate in modern English.


    MP3 Recording of “Ay del chiquirritín”

    Check out the song page of “Ay del chiquirritín” at Mama Lisa’s World for the French translation, a score and midi.

    Thanks to Monique Palomares for contributing this song and singing this song for us! Translated into English by Monique Palomares and Lisa Yannucci.

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    A Cupcake Christmas Tree

    Thursday, December 18th, 2008

    Photo of a Cupcake Tree

    Corrine Lewack made this wonderful cupcake Christmas tree – that you can see in the photo above – for a party. Here’s what she wrote about it:

    “Here’s the cupcake tree.. not as easy as I thought… well it was easy… but had no patience tonight to space the cupcakes properly.. but… I wouldn’t have had enough.. this is 47 cupcakes.. :ahem, I don’t know WHAT could have happened with one of them: lol… probably could have used another 20ish cupcakes to make it more “tight”… and it was messy… maybe next time make cupcakes with a hardened glaze frosting on top? Not sure.. the cupcakes are “stuck” onto an aluminum-foil-wrapped 12″ Styrofoam cone with toothpicks… suggest using the “flat” toothpicks.. cuz those suckers are POINTY…

    All suggestions will be gladly accepted… :) .. p.s. dontcha love my dairy cow salt and pepper shakers? xoxo”

    I asked Corrine if she used the whipped icing that you can buy in the stores, because that would be softer. She said, “it WAS the whipped type of frosting… never again, lol.” I’d suggest instead using regular icing (i.e. not whipped) so it doesn’t drip off. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let us know in the comments below.

    Thanks!

    Mama Lisa

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    Video Game Gift Ideas for Kids

    Thursday, December 18th, 2008

    Video Games

    I asked my children to tell me what they’d consider to be their favorite video games. In case there are people out there still looking for last minute gift ideas, below are some recommendations.

    I recommend going to Game Stop to buy video games since they’re small stores that you can find anywhere. If you’re looking online, you can also try Amazon.

    Here are my teenage son’s favorite games:

    For the Wii:

    Super Smash Bros Brawl

    For the DS:

    Mario Kart DS

    For the PC (Computer):

    Spore
    World of Goo (It can also be downloaded onto the Wii*.)

    For the N64 (Some old N64 games can be downloaded onto the Wii* – that’s how my son played it):

    Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

    Here are my 7 year old daughter’s favorites:

    Disney Princesses: Enchanted Journey – available for the PC, Wii and PS2
    Littlest Pet Shop Video Game – available for the PC, Wii and DS

    Bratz Baby Ponies – this is free online – all you need is a Flash player! You choose a pony and style its hair. Great for girls!

    Frogger – another game that has a free version online – good for boys and girls (My daughter played it on the GameCube – which is an older system.)

    For the DS:

    New Super Mario Bros.

    For the PC:

    World of Goo (It can also be downloaded onto the Wii*.)

    Most kids seem to like games in the Mario Bros. franchise. You can see that Mario games are on both of my kids’ lists and I’ve bought them for many other children in our lives who have enjoyed playing them.

    If you’re interested in stuffed animal and robotic animal gifts you can click the link to see an earlier post I wrote with recommendations.

    Feel free to let us know about the games the kids you know like in the comments below…

    Mama Lisa

    *A Note About Downloading Games onto the Wii: There’s a Wii Shop Channel on the Wii Menu on the Wii. You can buy a Wii points card at a video game store or you could by points through the Wii Shop Channel. To use the card you just enter the code on the card into the Wii Shop Channel and search for a game. If it’s there it should come up. Most games cost $15 or less. 100 points costs $1. You can get old games on it and some games that are programmed specifically for it. The old games are from NES, SNES, N64 and some other systems.

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    Peruvian Christmas Carol – Ya viene el Niñito

    Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

    Here’s the Peruvian Christmas Carol – Ya viene el Niñito – “Here Comes Baby Jesus”. First you’ll find a YouTube rendition of it by children in Loja – Ecuador (South America), followed by the lyrics in Spanish and then an English translation…

    Ya viene el Niñito

    Ya viene el Niñito jugando entre flores
    Y los pajaritos le cantan amores
    Ya se despertaron los pobres pastores
    Y le van llevando pajitas y flores
    La paja esta fría la cama está dura
    La Virgen María llora con ternura

    Ya nomás se caen todas las estrellas
    A los pies del niño, más lindo que ellas
    Niñito bonito, manojo de flores
    Llora pobrecito por los pecadores.

    Here’s a rhyming translation I did in English based on a literal translation by Monique Palomares…

    Here comes Baby Jesus playing among the flowers
    And the birdies sing him love songs from the bowers
    The poor shepherds awoke at an early hour
    So they could bring him straw and flowers
    The bed is hard, the straw is cold,
    The Virgin Mary cries tenderly, behold.

    Now all of the stars in the sky descend
    At the baby’s feet, he’s prettier than them.
    Bunch of flowers, beautiful son,
    Cries for sinners, poor little one.

    Many thanks to Armando Vertiz Cayo for contributing this song.

    Here are some recent holiday music posts you might enjoy…

    Yiddish version of Oh, Chanukah with YouTube video and lyrics
    English Video of Oh Chanukah with lyrics
    Video and Lyrics of Willie Take Your Little Drum
    Patapan video in French with Lyrics and Translation
    Good King Wenceslas with lyrics, back-story and video
    Short Holiday Jazz Animation

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    Barbershop Quartet recording of “Stille Nacht!” – “Silent Night” in German

    Monday, December 15th, 2008

    Matt Huffman sent us this Barbershop Quartet recording of the first verse of “Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!”. It’s the original version of the Christmas song, “Silent Night” – which was first written as a poem in German by Joseph Mohr in 1816. Below the mp3 recording you’ll find the German lyrics, followed by an English translation.

    Listen to the Barbershop Quartet version of Still Nacht – 1st verse – mp3

    Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
    (German Lyrics)

    Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
    Alles schläft; einsam wacht
    Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
    Holder Knab’ im lockigen Haar,
    Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
    Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!

    Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
    Hirten erst kundgemacht
    Durch der Engel Alleluja,
    Tönt es laut bei Ferne und Nah:
    "Jesus der Retter ist da!"
    "Jesus der Retter ist da!"

    Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
    Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
    Lieb’ aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
    Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’.
    Jesus in deiner Geburt!
    Jesus in deiner Geburt!

    Here’s the English translation of “Stille Nacht”. The translation is of the German song – it’s not the English song “Silent Night” – which is different…

    Silent Night, Holy Night
    (English Translation of the German Original)

    Silent night, holy night,
    All’s asleep, alone awake
    Only that faithful, holy couple.
    The nice boy with curly hair,
    Sleeps in heavenly peace,
    Sleeps in heavenly peace!

    Silent night, holy night,
    To the shepherds first announced,
    By the angels’ Alleluia,
    Is sounding aloud from far and near:
    “Jesus the Savior is here.”
    “Jesus the Savior is here.”

    Silent night, holy night,
    O Son of God, lovingly laughs,
    From your divine mouth!
    Now, the hour of salvation rings for us,
    Jesus, in thy birth,
    Jesus, in thy birth!

    Many thanks to Matt Huffman for the recording. English translation by Lisa Yannucci and Monique Palomares.

    Here’s a link to the long version of Stille Nacht

    Here are some recent holiday music posts you might enjoy…

    Short Holiday Jazz Animation
    Yiddish version of Oh, Chanukah with YouTube video and lyrics
    English Video of Oh Chanukah with lyrics
    Video and Lyrics of Willie Take Your Little Drum
    Patapan video in French with Lyrics and Translation
    Good King Wenceslas with lyrics, back-story and video

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    Christmas in Japan

    Monday, December 15th, 2008

    If you’re wondering what it’s like, click below to see!

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    It’s Lovely Weather for a Sleigh Ride Together – Jazz Animation

    Saturday, December 13th, 2008

    Elle Fitzgerald sings in this wonderful winter animation!

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    Stuffed Animals and Robotic Animal Toys for Kids

    Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

    Photo of Furreal Friends

    Furreal Friends is the big thing this year. They’re robotic pets that act like real animals. They feel like stuffed animals – though sometimes, they’re hard underneath. There’s a horse that kids can “ride” on. Actually, it’s the head that moves – making real-looking movements – and you can “feed” it. There are cats, dogs, hamsters, and the list goes on. They range in price from about $19.99 (for the small animals) – $199.00 (for the horses). Preskool put out a Triceratops robotic toy that young kids can go on too. If you’re interested in buying a robotic stuffed animal, I’d recommend checking out the reviews of the different types of pets on Amazon and YouTube. Furreal Friends is the main brand – but some specific animals rate better than others.

    Photo of Furreal Friends

    Chantilly Lane Bears sing! Their mouths move while they belt out a song! These are really cute – though hearing the same song again and again can make a parent crazy! They’re less well-known than some other toys and I think there’s value in that! They come in other animals besides bears. They’re priced around $19.99.

    Photo of Chantilly Lane Bear

    A Webkinz is a little stuffed animal that comes with a special internet code that lets your child can interact with an online version of it. Webkinz have been around for a couple of years – but both boys and girls in elementary school still enjoy them. Their animals can get a “job” online and with the “money” they make they can improve their houses, and buy virtual food or clothes for their Webkinz. There are also games kids can play online in the Webkinz World. Webkinz normally cost between $8.00 – $15.00.

    Photo of Deer Webkinz

    Girls aged 4-8 like Animals in My Pocket (like “Puppy in My Pocket“) and also Littlest Pet Shop animals. My daughter and her friend can’t get enough of them! There’s also “Safari in my Pocket” that boys might like.

    These are some fun gift ideas if you have a school-aged child in your life who loves animals!

    Mama Lisa

    UPDATE: Check out my more recent post of recommended video games for kids!

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    Willie Take Your Little Drum – An English Christmas Carol with YouTube Renditions

    Sunday, December 7th, 2008

    Willie Take Your Little Drum is a well-known English Christmas Carol, even though it’s based on a French Carol from Burgundy called Patapan. In my last blog entry, I posted the French lyrics to Patapan, with an English translation and a video of a French rendition of the song.

    Here, I’m going to post some English videos of different renditions of the song. The first one is a more traditional choir performance. The second one seems like it’s from the renaissance, with pretty clothing that young kids will enjoy seeing. The last one is more raucous with lots of percussion! They all use the same lyrics – the ones I’m posting below.

    These lyrics to Willie Take Your Drum seem to be the most popular ones that exist. I believe they come from a translation by Rev. Percy Dearmer (1867- 1936) for the Oxford Book of Carols (1928). There is one line that I must point out as being a bit funny. It’s “When they hear the fife and drum, Sure our children won’t be dumb.” (We think this means that when they hear the fife and drum, the children will start cheering.)

    In any case, Willie Take Your Drum is a pretty song to listen to. So, sit back and enjoy the show!

    Here’s the Cantamus Training Choir performing ‘Pat-a-Pan’ at the Mansfield Palace Theatre in 2007 for a Christmas concert…

    Here’s are the English lyrics:

    Willie, Take Your Little Drum
    (English Lyrics)

    Willie, take your little drum;
    With your whistle, Robin, come!
    When we hear the fife and drum,
    Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
    When we hear the fife and drum,
    Christmas should be frolicsome.

    Thus the men of olden days
    Loved the King of kings to praise.
    When they hear the fife and drum,
    Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
    When they hear the fife and drum,
    Sure our children won’t be dumb.

    God and man are now become
    More at one than fife and drum.
    When you hear the fife and drum,
    Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
    When you hear the fife and drum,
    Dance and make the village hum!

    Here are the Madrigals singing Willie Take Your Drum, with their wonderful costumes:

    Here’s a fun, upbeat version of the song by Loosely Woven:

    Enjoy!

    Mama Lisa

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    Patapan – The French Christmas Carol with a YouTube Video

    Sunday, December 7th, 2008

    Patapan is one of the most popular French Christmas songs. I’ve posted Patapan before with an mp3 recording. I thought it was worthwhile to repost it for the holiday season with another rendition – this time from YouTube.

    Patapan, or Guillaume prends ton tambourin, is a traditional song from the Burgundy region in France. It’s also known in English as Willie Take Your Little Drum. It was written by Bernard de la Monnoye (1641-1728) around 1700. Monnoye wrote many other Burgundian carols around the same time.

    A tambourin is a small cylindrical drum, usually made out of wood and covered with an animal skin. It’s hung from the shoulders and played with the hands. ‘Turelurelu’ is the sound the flute makes and ‘patapatapan’ is the sound of the drum. This is most likely the inspiration for the English Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy.

    Below you’ll find a YouTube video rendition of Patapan in French (it cuts off slightly at the end – yet it’s worth watching). It’s followed by the French lyrics, an English translation and then the original Burgundian version…

    Performed by “Choir Ars XXI”

    Patapan
    (French)

    Guillaume prends ton tambourin
    Toi, prends ta flûte, Robin;
    Au son de ces instruments
    Turelurelu, patapatapan
    Au son de ces instruments
    Je dirai Noël gaîment.

    C’était la mode autrefois
    De louer le Roi des rois
    Au son de ces instruments
    Turelurelu, patapatapan
    Au son de ces instruments
    Il nous en faut faire autant.

    L’homme et Dieu sont plus d’accord
    Que la flûte et le tambour;
    Au son de ces instruments
    Turelurelu, patapatapan
    Au son de ces instruments
    Chantons, dansons, sautons en!

    Here’s a fairly literal English translation of the original Patapan song…

    Willie Take Your Little Drum
    (English)

    Willie take your little drum,
    Robin take your flute, come!
    To the sound of these instruments
    Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
    To the sound of these instruments
    I will joyfully sing Merry Christmas!

    It was the way of yonder times
    To praise the king of kings
    To the sound of these instruments
    Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
    To the sound of these instruments
    We must do the same.

    Man and god agree
    About the flute and the little drum…
    To the sound of these instruments
    Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
    To the sound of these instruments
    Sing! Dance! Jump around!

    Here’s Patapan in the old Burgundian dialect, which has an additional verse (#3)…

    Guillô, pran ton tamborin
    (Burgundian Dialect)

    Guillô, pran ton tamborin;
    Toi, pran tai fleúte, Rôbin!
    Au son de cé instruman,
    Turelurelu, patapatapan,
    Au son de cé instruman
    Je diron Noei gaiman

    C’ étó lai môde autrefoi
    De loüé le Roi dé Roi,
    Au son de cés instruman,
    Turelurelu, patapatapan,
    Au son de cés instruman,
    Ai nos an fau faire autan.

    Ce jor le Diale at ai cu
    Randons an graice ai Jesu
    Au son de cés instruman,
    Turelurelu, patapatapan,
    Au son de cés instruman,
    Fezon lai nique ai Satan.

    L’homme et Dei son pu d’aicor
    Que lai fleúte & le tambor.
    Au son de cés instruman,
    Turelurelu, patapatapan,
    Au son de cés instruman,
    Chanton, danson, sautons-an.

    There’s a popular English version of Willie Take Your Little Drum that I posted with English renditions of the song – come check it out! You can also check out the blog of the “Choir Ars XXI” to hear more of their wonderful recordings and watch videos of them performing!

    Mama Lisa

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    Good King Wenceslas – A Carol with a Video – Come Hear it Performed!

    Thursday, December 4th, 2008

    Good King Wenceslas was written in 1853 by the Englishman John Mason Neale. The tune is from “Tempus Adest Floridum”, a spring carol from the 13th Century. I’ve posted these lyrics before. Since then, there’s been an explosion of videos on YouTube. It seemed like a good time to post this wonderful song again, with a video rendition for the holiday season.

    Good King Wenceslas has become a Christmas song, even though it sings about St. Stephen’s Day, which is the day after Christmas.

    Wenceslas was born in 907. He was actually the Duke of Bohemia, not a king. Bohemia is now an area of the Czech Republic.

    The story of “King” Wenceslas is a sad one. When he was 13 his father was killed in battle. His mother, Drahomira, became the ruler of Bohemia. She seems to have been a pagan. His grandmother taught Wenceslas Christian ideals. His mother was threatened by this and had his grandmother killed. Two years later she was deposed in an uprising, and King Wenceslas became the ruler of Bohemia. He was said to be an honest, kind man. He even allowed his mother to move back into the castle with him. Unfortunately, his evil brother Boleslav murdered him in 929.

    King Wenceslas eventually became a saint.

    This song shows his hospitality to a poor stranger on a harsh, cold winter evening.

    Here’s video rendition of Good Kind Wenceslas, followed by the lyrics…

    Here are the lyrics to Good King Wenceslas

    Good King Wenceslas

    Good King Wenceslas looked out
    On the feast of Stephen
    When the snow lay round about
    Deep and crisp and even
    Brightly shone the moon that night
    Though the frost was cruel
    When a poor man came in sight
    Gathering winter fuel.

    “Hither, page, and stand by me
    If you know it, telling
    Yonder peasant, who is he?
    Where and what his dwelling?”
    “Sire, he lives a good league hence
    Underneath the mountain
    Right against the forest fence
    By Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

    “Bring me flesh and bring me wine
    Bring me pine logs hither
    You and I will see him dine
    When we bear him thither.”
    Page and monarch forth they went
    Forth they went together
    Through the rude wind’s wild lament
    And the bitter weather.

    “Sire, the night is darker now
    And the wind blows stronger
    Fails my heart, I know not how,
    I can go no longer.”
    “Mark my footsteps, my good page
    Tread you in them boldly
    You shall find the winter’s rage
    Freeze your blood less coldly.”

    In his master’s steps he trod
    Where the snow lay dinted
    Heat was in the very sod
    Which the Saint had printed
    Therefore, Christian men, be sure
    Wealth or rank possessing
    You who now will bless the poor
    Shall yourselves find blessing.

    Here’s a midi of Good King Wenceslas, if you’d just like to hear the tune.

    Enjoy!

    Mama Lisa

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    How to Choose a Digital Photo Frame – A Great Gift Idea if You Can Afford It!

    Saturday, November 29th, 2008

    I think a digital photo frame is a great gift idea that you could give to many different people – for many different holidays and celebrations.

    Kodak Digital Frame

    However, I’ve been looking into the possibility of buying one, as a gift, and I’ve come to the conclusion that, if you’re the type of person who cares about image quality, the minimum you’re looking at paying is about $100.00 – here and now in December 2008.

    Here are some considerations to keep in mind when buying:

    According to PC Magazine, a digital photo frame should have a resolution of at least 640-by-480 pixels.

    Also, consider who you’re buying for. If it’s someone who’s not tech-savvy, make sure they can easily access the photos. If I was going to give this as a gift to anyone over 60 or so, it would be for a family member and I’d load it up with photos in advance for them. This way they’d only have to figure out how to scroll through photos or set it to a slide show.

    Make sure there’s enough memory built-in to the frame. It should have at least 128 MB or some easy storage for the photos. I would want the built-in memory.

    Consumer Reports recommends buying a frame that’s at least 8″. They also recommend a matte frame.

    The most standard and less expensive frame right now is 7″ – so if you’re going to go up to 8″ as recommended by Consumer Reports – it’ll cost more money.

    I’ve only been able to find two digital frames that are close to $100 (on sale), that are 8″, with a resolution of at least 640-by-480 pixels, and with the buit-in memory of 128 MB. They are:

    Smartparts SP800WS 8″ Digital Brown Wood Picture Frame
    Kodak EASYSHARE M820 Digital Frame (Photo Above)

    I don’t have direct experience with these frames. You can check around the internet to see what other people say about them, if you’d like, and to hunt for bargains. These are the two I’d check out based on what’s out there for a reasonable price right now.

    My hope is that next year there will be lower price/higher quality choices!

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    Does Anyone Know a Tagalog Christmas Song?

    Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

    Joan wrote…

    Hi Lisa,

    I’m looking for a Christmas song in Tagalog for a Christmas around the world program at our school. Can you help?

    Thank You,

    Joan Hayden
    Hope Montessori School, Indiana

    If anyone can help out Joan, please comment below or email me.

    Thanks!

    Mama Lisa

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    Trying to find a Christmas Hymn with the line, “Beneath the olive shadows”

    Monday, October 27th, 2008

    Peter wrote:

    We sang this in Catholic School in NYC during the 40’s and 50’s. It started with the lyrics:

    Beneath the olive shadows,
    Our lady sat and spun,
    A soft and tiny garment,
    For her dear and precious One etc.

    Thanks for your help,

    Peter Morrone

    If anyone can help Peter with the lyrics to the Christmas Hymn, please comment below.

    Thanks in advance!

    Mama Lisa

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    Does Anyone Know of a Script for a Las Posadas Play for Christmastime?

    Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

    B. Telford wrote:

    I am teaching in a private religious school and we would like to do a Las Posadas play for Christmas. (grades Pk-3 through 5th grade) Does anyone out there have any suggestions of plays already written that are approximately 20 – 30 minutes long? I know very little of Las Posadas and would like this to be an exciting learning experience for our children. I have found only 2 or 3 songs and no scripts, HELP!

    If anyone can help out with any suggestions, please comment below. The play can be in Spanish and/or English.

    Thanks in advance!

    Lisa

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    Merry Christmas!

    Sunday, December 23rd, 2007

    Merry Christmas to All!

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    Does Anyone Know of Hand Gestures That Go with the 12 Days of Christmas?

    Sunday, December 23rd, 2007

    Rich Berrett wrote:

    Growing up I recall hearing the 12 days of Christmas accompanied by hand gestures for each day… when I googled that issue it referred me to your site with this notation.. “The Twelve Days of Christmas actually start on Christmas and go up to the …. As with many children’s songs, there are different hand gestures that can be. . .” when I went to the link however I cannot find the remainder of the entry… I would love to find the gestures to teach my grandchildren. Any suggestions? Thanks for all you do. Rich

    I think the Google entry must have been referring to two different blog posts.

    Would anyone know of gestures that go with the 12 Days of Christmas? I’d love to learn them too!

    Please comment below if you can help out. Thanks in advance!

    -Mama Lisa

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    Does Anyone Know “All Around the World at Christmas Time”?

    Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

    Sheri wrote:

    Hi I am looking for the lyrics to “all around the world at Christmas time” any suggestions?

    If anyone can help out, please comment below.

    Thanks!

    Lisa

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    ________

    Copyright ©2009 by Lisa Yannucci. All rights reserved.
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