Christmas
SONGBOOK 2013 Songs and stories provided for the People of Barnwell County
A Holiday Supplement to
The People-Sentinel
A Christmas Celebration In Song Index
O Come, All Ye Faithful........................5
Away in a Manger..................................8 O Little Town of Bethlehem...............6 Christmas Story.................................4 Rudolph...........................................13 Deck the Halls..................................13 Silent Night........................................5 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen..........10 The First Noel...................................11 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing..............7 Twas the Night Before Christmas.......15 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.............11 twelve days of Christmas..................14 Jingle Bells......................................14 We Three Kings..................................12 Joy to the World..................................9 What Child is This?...............................8 O, Christmas Tree................................9 While Shepherds Watch....................10
Page 2 • The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Christmas Songbook 2013
Barnwell County Christmas Events December 1st
Christmas Parade
Kline - Town Hall - 5PM Snelling - Town Hall - 7PM
Christmas Tree Lighting
Christmas Tree Lightings
Barnwell - 4PM
Williston - 5:30PM
December 5th
Christmas Tree Lighting
Barnwell - On the Circle - 5:30PM
Elf Contest
December 6th-15th
Williston - Williston Town Hall - 2PM Entry form available at www.williston-sc.com Registration Deadline is Nov. 29th at 4:30PM
A Live Radio Play
December 8th
It’s a Wonderful Life Barnwell - Circle Theatre Call 803-259-7046 for show times and reservations December 7th
Breakfast with Santa
Barnwell - Barnwell County Library 10:30-11:30AM Pre-registration required at City Hall
Christmas Parade Williston - 4PM December 14th
Candy Cane Hunt
Barnwell - Lemon Park - 11AM Free for children “walking” to age 12
Christmas Parade Blackville - 11AM December 15th
Christmas Tree Lighting Blackville - 4PM
2013 Christmas Songbook • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • The People-Sentinel • Page 3
The Christmas Story
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch-over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The Shepherds retunred, glorifying and Praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20 Page 4 • The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Christmas Songbook 2013
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Silent Night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born Silent night, holy night Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
2013 Christmas Songbook • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • The People-Sentinel • Page 5
O, Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by: Yet in the dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary; And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wond’ring love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth; And praises sing to God, the King, and peace to men on earth. How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is giv’n! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heav’n. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him, still, The dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.
Page 6 • The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Christmas Songbook 2013
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Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.� Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.� Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King! Christ, by highest heav’n adord; Christ, the ever lasting Lord; Late in time behold Hime come, Off-spring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh, the God head see; Hail the incarnate Diety. Please, as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King! Hail! The heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail! The Son of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no mare may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King!
2013 Christmas Songbook • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • The People-Sentinel • Page 7
What Child Is This?
Away In a Manger
What child is this, Who, laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angles greet with anthems sweet, While Shepherds watch are keeping?
Away in a manager no crib for His bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky, looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
This, This is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. This, this is Christ the King The Babe, the Son of Mary. Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here The silent Word is pleading.
The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes; I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.
This, This is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. This, this is Christ the King The Babe, the Son of Mary. So bring him incense, gold and myrrh, come, peasant, king to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone him. This, This is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. This, this is Christ the King The Babe, the Son of Mary. Page 8 • The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Christmas Songbook 2013
O, Christmas Tree
Joy To The World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing. Joy to the World The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy; Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love. And wonders, wonders of His love.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, O tree of green, unchanging. Your boughs, so green in summer time, Do brave the snow of winter time. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, O tree of green, unchanging. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you set my heart a singing. Like little stars, your candles bright Send to the world a wondrous light. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You set my heart a singing. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you come from God, eternal. A symbol of the Lord of Love Whom God to man sent from above. O Christ Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you come from God, eternal. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you speak of God, unchanging. You tell us all to faithful be, And trust in God eternally. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you speak of God, unchanging.
2013 Christmas Songbook • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • The People-Sentinel • Page 9
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas Day; To save us all from Satan’s pow’r, When we were gone a stray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. In Bethlehem, in Jewry, This blessed Babe was born, And laid within a manger, Upon this blessed morn; The which His Mother Mary, Did nothing take in scorn. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. From God our Heavenly Father, A blessed Angel came; And unto certain shepherds, Brought tidings of the same; How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of god by name. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a feeding, In tempest, storm, and wind; And went to Bethlehem straight way, The Son of God to find. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, The angel of the lord came down And glory shone around. “Fear not,” said he for mighty dread Had seized their troubled minds. “Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.” “To you in David’s town this day Is born of David’s line The Savior who is called Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign.” “The heavenly babe you there shall find To human view displayed All meanly wrapped in swathing bands And in a manger laid.” Thus spake the seraph and forthwith Appeared a shining throng of angles, Praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song.
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It Came Upon A Midnight Clear It came upon a midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, good will to men From Heaven’s all gracious King.” The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats O’er all the weary world. Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hov’ring wing, And ever o’er its Bable sounds The blessed angels sings. For lo! the days are hastning on, By prophets seen of old, When with the ever circling years Shall come the time foretold, When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace, their King. And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.
The First Noel The first noel the angels did say was to certain poor sheperds in fields as they lay, In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winters night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a great star Shining in the East, beyond them far. And to the ear it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. And by the light of that same star, Three Wisemen came from country afar, To seek for a King was their intent, And to follow the start wherever it went. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. This star drew nigh to the northwest, O’er Bethlehem it took its rest, And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the playce where Jesus lay. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. Then entered in those Wisemen three, Full rev’rently upon their knee, And offered there, in His Presence Their gold and myrrh and frank incense
2013 Christmas Songbook • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • The People-Sentinel • Page 11
We Three Kings Of Orient Are We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect sight. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect sight. Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God on high. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect sight. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorr’wing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect sight. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; Alleluia, alleluia! Earth to heav’n replies. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect sight. Page 12 • The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Christmas Songbook 2013
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed 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 (yippee) “Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer you’ll go down in history.”
Deck The Halls
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel Fa la la la la, la la la la. Troll the ancient Yule time carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la. See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Wile I tell of Yule tide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Sing we joyous all together Fa la la la la, la la la la. Heedless of the wind and weather Fa la la la la, la la la la.
2013 Christmas Songbook • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • The People-Sentinel • Page 13
Jingle Bells
The 12 Days of Christmas
When most people hear of “The 12 days of Christmas” they think of the song. This song had its origins as a teaching tool to instruct young people in the meaning and content of the Christian faith. From 1558 to 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not able to practice their faith openly so they had to find other ways to pass on their beliefs. The song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is one example of how they did it. The song goes: “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...” The “true love” represents God and the “me” who receives these presents is the Christian. The “partridge in a pear tree” was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God. The “two turtle doves” were the Old and New Testaments - another gift from God. The “three French hens” were faith, hope and love the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (I Corinthians 13). The “four calling birds” were the four Gospels which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ. The “five golden rings” were the first five books of the Bible also called the “Books of Moses.” The “six geese a-laying” were the six days of creation. The “seven swans a swimming” were “seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.”(I Corinthians 12:8-11, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4:10-11) The “eight maids a milking” were the eight beatitudes. The “nine ladies dancing” were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.(Galatians 5:22-23) The “ten lords a-leaping” were the Ten Commandments. The “eleven pipers piping” were the eleven faithful disciples. The “twelve drummers drumming” were the twelve points of the Apostles’ Creed.
Dashing through the snow In a one horse open sleigh O’er the fields we go, Laughing all the way, Bells on bob tail ring, Making spirits bright; what fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight! Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle All the Way! Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh A Day or two ago, I thought I’d take a ride. Soon Miss Fannie Bright was seated by my side. The horse was lean and lank, Misforturne seemed his lot, He got into a drifted bank, And we, we go up-sot. Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle All the Way! Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh! Now the ground is white, Go it while you’re young. Take the girls tonight, and sing this sleighing song; Just get a bob-tailed Nag, Two forty for his speed, Then hitch him to an open sleigh, And crack! you’ll take the lead. Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle All the Way! Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
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Twas the Night before Christmas Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
Authorship of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” is mostly attributed to the American Clement Clarke Moore (17791863), although his authorship has been disputed. The poem was first published in the 1820s and is also known by another name: “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” The version of the poem printed here was taken from the website www.carols.org.uk. The site gives a brief description of the poem’s history.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! “Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!” As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly! He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose! He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”
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