The Cultivation of Christmas Trees

by T.S. Eliot

There are several attitudes towards Christmas,
Some of which we may disregard:
The social, the torpid, the patently commercial,
The rowdy (the pubs being open till midnight),
And the childish — which is not that of the child
For whom the candle is a star, and the gilded angel
Spreading its wings at the summit of the tree
Is not only a decoration, but an angel.

The child wonders at the Christmas Tree:
Let him continue in the spirit of wonder
At the Feast as an event not accepted as a pretext;
So that the glittering rapture, the amazement
Of the first-remembered Christmas Tree,
So that the surprises delight in new possessions
(Each one with its peculiar and exciting smell),
The expectation of the goose or turkey
And the expected awe on its appearance,

So that the reverence and the gaiety
May not be forgotten in later experience,
In the bored habituation, the fatigue, the tedium,
The awareness of death, the consciousness of failure,
Or in the piety of the convert
Which may be tainted with a self-conceit
Displeasing to God and disrespectful to children
(And here I remember also with gratitude
St. Lucy, her carol, and her crown of fire):

So that before the end, the eightieth Christmas
(By 'eightieth' meaning whichever is last)
The accumulated memories of annual emotion
May be concentrated into a great joy
Which shall be also a great fear, as on the occasion
When fear came upon every soul:
Because the beginning shall remind us of the end
And the first coming of the second coming.

I've Been Waiting

by Matthew Sweet

When you said to me
'You are not so old'
Did I know it then
'Cause I had just been told?

I didn't think I'd find you
Perfect in so many ways
But I've been waiting
And I want to have you

The secret on your lips
That nobody knows
Gentle in your eyes
You can wear my clothes

I didn't think I'd find you
Perfect in so many ways
But I've been waiting
And I want to have you

Magic

by Ric Ocasek

Summer
It turns me upside down
Summer, summer, summer
It's like a merry-go-round

I see you under the midnight
All shackles and bows
High shoes with the cleats a-clicking
A temperamental glow
How could you let me go?

Oh, I've got a hold on you
I've got a hold on you
I've got a hold on you tonight
Oh, I've got a hold on you
I've got a hold on you
That's right

Oh oh, it's magic
When I'm with you
Oh oh, it's magic
Just a little magic
You know it's true
I've got a hold on you

Oh, twisted
Under, sideways, down
I know you're getting twisted
And you can't calm down

I see you under the midnight
Love darts in your eyes
How far can you take it
Till you realize
There's magic in your eyes

Oh oh, it's magic
When I'm with you
Oh oh, it's magic
Just a little bit of
Magic pulls me through
I've got a hold on you

Gaudete

from Piae Cantiones

Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
ex Maria virgine
gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae
hoc quod optabamus
carmina laetitiae
devote reddamus

Deus homo factus est
natura mirante
mundus renovatus est
a Christo regnante

Ezechielis porta
clausa pertransitur
unde lux est orta
salus invenitur

Ergo nostra concio
psallat iam in lustro
benedicat Domino
salus Regi nostro

Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
ex Maria virgine
gaudete!

This Good Feeling

Tomas Dahl

See the first signs of spring through your window
Breathe in and feel the tingle in your nose
Try to open your eyes for a moment
An instant feeling that anything goes

Oh how I've missed this good feeling
It's been like this for so long
Don't wake me if I am dreaming
Soon everything will be gone

I try to get up in time for the sunrise
Ain't that something we all like to do?
You wonder why you keep fighting these bright lights
You never sleep until this beautiful view

Willie Brew'd a Peck o' Maut

by Robert Burns

O Willie brew'd a peck o' maut,
And Rob and Allen cam to see;
Three blyther hearts, that lee-lang night,
Ye wadna found in Christendie.

We are na fou, we're nae that fou,
But just a drappie in our ee;
The cock may craw, the day may daw
And aye we'll taste the barley bree.

Here are we met, three merry boys,
Three merry boys I trow are we;
And mony a night we've merry been,
And mony mae we hope to be!

It is the moon, I ken her horn,
That's blinkin' in the lift sae hie;
She shines sae bright to wyle us hame,
But, by my sooth, she'll wait a wee!

Wha first shall rise to gang awa,
A cuckold, coward loun is he!
Wha first beside his chair shall fa',
He is the King amang us three.

We are na fou, we're nae that fou,
But just a drappie in our ee;
The cock may craw, the day may daw
And aye we'll taste the barley bree.

You Did That for Me

by Sara Groves

I don't have to cry anymore
I don't have to worry about what's in store
I've walked that road exhausted and poor
I don't have to cry anymore

I don't have to know it all
I don't have to be so proud and stand so tall
I climbed that mountain only to fall
I don't have to know it all

You did that for me
You wore the chains so I could be free
You did that for me

And I don't have to be ashamed
Hang my head or shoulder the blame
Wondering if my life's been in vain
I don't have to be ashamed

Man of sorrows
Well acquainted with grief
Drug down to the city dump
Spread eagle on a cross beam
Propped up like a scarecrow
Nailed like a thief
There for all the world to see

All in the Golden Afternoon

by Lewis Carroll

All in the golden afternoon
      Full leisurely we glide;
For both our oars, with little skill,
      By little arms are plied,
While little hands make vain pretence
      Our wanderings to guide.

Ah, cruel Three! In such an hour.
      Beneath such dreamy weather.
To beg a tale of breath too weak
      To stir the tiniest feather!
Yet what can one poor voice avail
      Against three tongues together?

Imperious Prima flashes forth
      Her edict 'to begin it'—
In gentler tone Secunda hopes
      'There will be nonsense in it!'—
While Tertia interrupts the tale
      Not more than once a minute.

Anon, to sudden silence won,
      In fancy they pursue
The dream-child moving through a land
      Of wonders wild and new,
In friendly chat with bird or beast—
      And half believe it true.

And ever, as the story drained
      The wells of fancy dry,
And faintly strove that weary one
      To put the subject by,
'The rest next time—' 'It is next time!'
      The happy voices cry.

Thus grew the tale of Wonderland:
      Thus slowly, one by one,
Its quaint events were hammered out—
      And now the tale is done,
And home we steer, a merry crew,
      Beneath the setting' sun.

Alice! a childish story take,
      And with a gentle hand
Lay it where Childhood's dreams are twined
      In Memory's mystic band,
Like pilgrim's wither'd wreath of flowers
      Pluck'd in a far-off land.

First Song That I Sing

by Sara Groves

In the morning when I rise
Help me to prioritize
All the thoughts that fill my day
Before my schedule
Tells me that my day is full
Before I'm off and on my way

I want to praise You
I need to praise You
Let the first song that I sing
Be praises to my God and King

Before the curtains part
Before my day is starting
Before I make up the bed
Before the snooze alarm
Reminds me that it's morning
Before the dreams have left my head

Before my feet hit the floor
I'll praise You, Lord
Before I fill my cup
I'll lift You up
Before I start my day
I'll sing Your praise
Before I start my car
Before I get too far

The Golden Gates Are Lifted Up

by Cecil Francis Alexander

The golden gates are lifted up,
the doors are opened wide;
the King of glory is gone in
unto his Father's side.

Thou art gone up before us, Lord,
to make for us a place,
that we may be where now thou art,
and look upon God's face.

And ever on our earthly path
a gleam of glory lies,
a light still breaks behind the cloud
that veiled thee from our eyes.

Lift up our hearts, lift up our minds:
let thy dear grace be giv'n,
that, while we wander here below,
our treasure be in heav'n;

That where thou art, at God's right hand,
our hope, our love, may be:
dwell thou in us, that we may dwell
forevermore in thee.

The Nearness of You

by Ned Washington

It's not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me
Oh no, it's just the nearness of you

It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation
Oh no, it's just the nearness of you

When I'm in your arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams come true

I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me
The right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night the nearness of you

Centerfield

by John Fogerty

Beat the drum and hold the phone
The sun came out today
We're born again, there's new grass on the field
Roundin' third and headed for home
It's a brown-eyed handsome man
Anyone can understand the way I feel

Put me in coach
I'm ready to play today
Look at me, I can be centerfield

I spent some time in the Mudville Nine
Watching it from the bench
I took some lumps when the Mighty Case struck out
So say hey, Willie, tell the Cobb
And Joe DiMaggio
Don't say it ain't so: you know the time is now

Put me in coach
I'm ready to play today
Look at me, I can be centerfield

Got a beat-up glove, a home-made bat
And a brand new pair of shoes
I think it's time to give this game a ride
Just to hit the ball and touch 'em all
A moment in the sun
It's gone and you can tell that one good-bye

Chorus novae Jerusalem

by Fulbert of Chartres

Chorus novae Jerusalem
Novam meli dulcedinem
Promat colens cum sobriis
Paschale festum gaudiis.

Quo Christus invictus leo,
Dracone surgens obruto,
Dum voce viva personat,
A morte functos excitat.

Quam devorarat, improbus,
Praedam refundit tartarus,
Captivitate libera
Iesum sequntur agmina.

Triumphat ille splendide
Et dignus amplitudine,
Soli polique patriam
Unam facit rempublicam.

Ipsum canendo supplices
Regem precemur milites,
Ut in suo clarissimo
Nos ordindet palatio.

Per saecla metae nescia
Patri supremo gloria
Honorque sit cum filio
Et spiritu paraclito.

Sparks Fly

by Taylor Swift

The way you move is like a full-on rainstorm
And I'm a house of cards
You're the kind of reckless that you send me running
But I kind of know that I won't get far

And you stood there in front of me
Just close enough to touch
Close enough to hope you couldn't
See what I was thinking of

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
'Cause I see sparks fly
Whenever you smile

Get me with those green eyes
As the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me
When you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly
Whenever you smile

My mind forgets to remind me
That you're a bad idea
You touch me once, and it's really something
You find I'm even better than you imagined I would be

I'm on my guard for the rest of the world
But with you, I know it's no good
And I could wait patiently
But I really wish you would...

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain
'Cause I see sparks fly
Whenever you smile

Get me with those green eyes
As the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me
When you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly
Whenever you smile

I run my fingers through your hair
And watch the lights go wild
Just keep on keeping your eyes on me
It's just strong enough to make it feel right
And lead me up the staircase
Won't you whisper soft and slow?
I'm captivated by you
Like a fireworks show

You'll Think of Someone

by Hal David

I could take up knitting to feel better
I'd make someone a hand-knit sweater
But I just don't know who that someone should be

If you can't think of anyone else
How about maybe, someone like...
For example, perhaps, someone
Oh, you'll think of someone

I could take up tennis to relax me
A game of doubles wouldn't tax me
But I just don't know who my partner should be

If you can't think of anyone else
How about maybe someone like...
For example, perhaps, someone
Oh, you'll think of someone

Someone who likes you and the things you like to do
Happy little things
Like climbing hills and rowing boats on a lake
Fun is something that is yours to take

I could take up painting to amuse me
A portrait picture might enthuse me
But I just don't know who my model should be

You can bet that there's someone around
Someone to talk to, laugh with
Like, for example, dance with
Sing to, cling to

When you think about that someone who it could be
How about me?

Ein deutsches Requiem

Excerpts from Holy Scripture
Compiled by Johannes Brahams

I.
Selig sind, die da Leid tragen,
denn sie sollen getröstet werden.

Die mit Tränen säen,
werden mit Freuden ernten.
Sie gehen hin und weinen
und tragen edlen Samen,
und kommen mit Freuden
und bringen ihre Garben.

II.
Denn alles Fleisch, es ist wie Gras
und alle Herrlichkeit des Menschen
wie des Grases Blumen.
Das Gras ist verdorret
und die Blume abgefallen.

So seid nun geduldig, liebe Brüder,
bis auf die Zukunft des Herrn.
Siehe, ein Ackermann wartet
auf die köstliche Frucht der Erde
und ist geduldig darüber,
bis er empfahe den Morgenregen und Abendregen.
So seid geduldig.

Aber des Herren Wort bleibet in Ewigkeit.

Die Erlöseten des Herrn werden wiederkommen,
und gen Zion kommen mit Jauchzen;
Freude, ewige Freude,
wird über ihrem Haupte sein;
Freude und Wonne werden sie ergreifen,
und Schmerz und Seufzen wird weg müssen.

III.
Herr, lehre doch mich,
daß ein Ende mit mir haben muß.
und mein Leben ein Ziel hat,
und ich davon muß.
Siehe, meine Tage sind
einer Hand breit vor Dir,
und mein Leben ist wie nichts vor Dir.

Ach wie gar nichts sind alle Menschen,
die doch so sicher leben.
Sie gehen daher wie ein Schemen
und machen ihnen viel vergebliche Unruhe;
sie sammeln und wissen nicht,
wer es kriegen wird.
Nun Herr, wes soll ich mich trösten?

Ich hoffe auf Dich.

Der Gerechten Seelen sind in Gottes Hand
und keine Qual rühret sie an.

IV.
Wie lieblich sind Deine Wohnungen,
Herr Zebaoth!
Meine Seele verlanget und sehnet sich
nach den Vorhöfen des Herrn;
Mein Leib und Seele freuen sich
in dem lebendigen Gott.
Wohl denen, die in Deinem Hause wohnen,
die loben Dich immerdar.

V.
Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit;
aber ich will euch wiedersehen,
und euer Herz soll sich freuen,
und eure Freude soll niemand von euch nehmen.

Ich will euch trösten,
wie einen seine Mutter tröstet.

Sehet mich an: Ich habe eine kleine Zeit
Mühe und Arbeit gehabt
und habe großen Trost gefunden.

VI.
Denn wir haben hie keine bleibende Statt,
sondern die zukünftige suchen wir.

Siehe, ich sage Euch ein Geheimnis:
Wir werden nicht alle entschlafen,
wir werden aber alle verwandelt werden;
und dasselbige plötzlich in einem Augenblick,
zu der Zeit der letzten Posaune.

Denn es wird die Posaune schallen
und die Toten werden auferstehen unverweslich;
und wir werden verwandelt werden.
Dann wird erfüllet werden das Wort,
das geschrieben steht.
Der Tod ist verschlungen in den Sieg.
Tod, wo ist dein Stachel?
Hölle, wo ist dein Sieg?

Herr, Du bist würdig
zu nehmen Preis und Ehre und Kraft,
denn Du hast alle Dinge erschaffen,
und durch Deinen Willen haben sie das Wesen
und sind geschaffen.

VII.
Selig sind die Toten,
die in dem Herrn sterben,
von nun an.
Ja, der Geist spricht,
daß sie ruhen von ihrer Arbeit;
denn ihre Werke folgen ihnen nach.

John Barleycorn

Traditional
by Robert Burns

There was three kings into the east,
Three kings both great and high,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn should die.

They took a plough and plough'd him down,
Put clods upon his head,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead.

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on,
And show'rs began to fall;
John Barleycorn got up again,
And sore surpris'd them all.

The sultry suns of Summer came,
And he grew thick and strong;
His head weel arm'd wi' pointed spears,
That no one should him wrong.

The sober Autumn enter'd mild,
When he grew wan and pale;
His bending joints and drooping head
Show'd he began to fail.

His colour sicken'd more and more,
He faded into age;
And then his enemies began
To show their deadly rage.

They've taen a weapon, long and sharp,
And cut him by the knee;
Then tied him fast upon a cart,
Like a rogue for forgerie.

They laid him down upon his back,
And cudgell'd him full sore;
They hung him up before the storm,
And turned him o'er and o'er.

They filled up a darksome pit
With water to the brim;
They heaved in John Barleycorn,
There let him sink or swim.

They laid him out upon the floor,
To work him farther woe;
And still, as signs of life appear'd,
They toss'd him to and fro.

They wasted, o'er a scorching flame,
The marrow of his bones;
But a miller us'd him worst of all,
For he crush'd him between two stones.

And they hae taen his very heart's blood,
And drank it round and round;
And still the more and more they drank,
Their joy did more abound.

John Barleycorn was a hero bold,
Of noble enterprise;
For if you do but taste his blood,
'Twill make your courage rise.

'Twill make a man forget his woe;
'Twill heighten all his joy;
'Twill make the widow's heart to sing,
Tho' the tear were in her eye.

Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
Each man a glass in hand;
And may his great posterity
Ne'er fail in old Scotland!

Let's Fall in Love

by Ted Koehler

We might have been meant for each other
To be or not to be
Let our hearts discover

I have a feeling
It's a feeling I'm concealing
I don't know why
It's just a mental, incidental
Sentimental alibi

But I adore you
So strong for you
Why go on stalling?
I'm falling
Love is calling
Why be shy?

Let's fall in love
Why shouldn't we fall in love?
Our hearts are made of it
Let's take a chance
Why be afraid of it?

Let's close our eyes
And make our own paradise
Little we know of it
Still we can try
To make a go of it

Let's fall in love
Why shouldn't we fall in love?
Now is the time for it
While we are young
Let's fall in love

Angels' Carol

by John Rutter

Have you heard the sound of the angel voices
Ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear?
Have you seen the star shining out so brightly
As a sign from God that Christ the Lord is here?
Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven
To the humble shepherds who have waited long?
Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Hear the angels sing their joyful song.

He is come in peace in the winter's stillness,
Like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night;
He is come in joy like the sun at morning
Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven
To the humble shepherds who have waited long?
Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Hear the angels sing their joyful song.

He is come in peace in the winter's stillness,
Like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night;
He is come in joy like the sun at morning
Filling all the world with radiance and with light.
He is come in love as the child of Mary;
In a simple stable we have seen his birth:
Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Hear the angels singing 'Peace on earth'.

He will bring new light to a world in darkness,
Like a bright star shining in the skies above;
He will bring new hope to the waiting nations
When he comes to reign in purity and love.
Let the earth rejoice at the Saviour's coming;
Let the heavens answer with the joyful morn:
Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Hear the angels singing 'Christ is born'.

欢乐佳音歌

Traditional

欢乐圣诞佳音大家来歌唱
耶路撒冷欢呼弥赛亚为王
锡安全地报道救主已降临
耶稣基督甘愿卑贱救众人
欢乐圣诞佳音大家来歌唱
耶路撒冷欢呼弥赛亚为王

欢乐圣诞佳音大家来歌唱
耶路撒冷欢呼弥赛亚为王
普世万民齐来传扬主降生
赐下救恩万众信徒蒙恩深
欢乐圣诞佳音大家来歌唱
耶路撒冷欢呼弥赛亚为王

欢乐圣诞佳音大家来歌唱
耶路撒冷欢呼弥赛亚为王
信徒大家恭敬献上感谢心
天军同唱哈利路亚满天庭
欢乐圣诞佳音大家来歌唱
耶路撒冷欢呼弥赛亚为王