The Season's Upon Us, It's That Time of Year...

(Source)

Ah, the music of Christmas, and yes, the title of today's post was inspired by those boys from Quincy (pronounced Kwin-zee, don't ask, it's near Boston, they talk funny up there...), The Dropkick Murphys. But before we listen to that song and watch the video, said activity now being a holiday tradition here at The Chant, let's review some of the Christmas tunes that I like. (You can tell me yours in the comments, via email, smoke signal, Pony Express, etc. You, Dear Readers, always have a voice here. Why, I even listen most of the time.)

Oh, while I'm on the topic, note those angels in the opening painting. They're playing music, they're in Heaven (I presume) so why do they look so gloomy? I guess that back in the 1480s, when the painting was done, everyone was gloomy. Pious and gloomy. The Middle Ages wasn't noted for having fun in Europe. I mean, it was all so  medieval and gloomy, ya know? What's more, from my own experience of the 60s and 70s, the angels all look like that hippy chick who went by the name "Galadriel" back in the day. Only thinner and far more gloomy. I assume the angels are female, which may be presumptuous of me. I've been known to presume far more than the existing facts might allow. But come on, no facial hair? What a giveaway!

Anyhoo.

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. I did attend services upon that day, The Missus Herself was absent for reasons you might know. As it was also Communion Sunday, I felt even more duty bound to be present. In the past one of the hymns we would always sing on the first Sunday of Advent was this one -

Which is a superb version of the song by The Piano Guys. That is one Christmas song which always triggers the old allergies here at Chez Sarge. I may be a cantankerous old bastid at times but I have a sentimental streak a mile wide. (Yes, sentimental, not mental.)

Well, when I got to my pew (yes, I have a pew, all the way in the back, it's not labeled, but folks know not to sit there, more on that in a bit) Sunday last, I perused the bulletin, no mention anywhere of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. 'Twas not amused I was, not at all.

Now I know what you're thinking, "Come on Sarge, you're in church, you shouldn't get bent out of shape over what hymns you're singing that Sunday." (In truth though, singing is not exactly what I do. Only in the very loosest terms can what I do be called singing. More of a "joyful noise" if you will. Which is fitting and proper but, as some might say, "Not so loud Sarge, not so loud. We don't want people to think we slaughter water buffalo at divine services...")

But that song is kinda sorta what Christmas is all about, at least to me it is. But, I am but one of many, so I resolved to suffer in silence. But 'lo and behold, during the offering the organist played, you guessed it, O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Tradition was upheld, "my" song was played, and no one had to wonder if large aquatic bovine creatures were being slaughtered within the confines of our wee stone chapel. Can't have the neighbors worrying now, can we?

So Sarge, what other Christmas tunes do you like? Why thank you, I'm glad you asked.

Bing Crosby was always a favorite singer at the Ancient Family Home and Der Bingle (as he was called in those days, no, not the days of Caesar Augustus, I'm not that old) had a number of popular Christmas songs over the years.

Now if you are of a certain age, you might think you know which of Der Bingle's Christmas songs is my favorite, it is, after all, the favorite of many folks, at least it used to be before the Age of Political Correctness. Not sure if it still is.

Nope, while White Christmas is a favorite of mine, it's not my favorite Bing Crosby song of Christmas. No, that honor goes to I'll Be Home for Christmas.

Now back in the day I really related to this song, being single and alone overseas will do that for you, I also had a calendar one year, might have been in Germany, which depicted military aircraft for each month of the year. (Wow, surprised you there didn't I? Or not.)

December's entry triggered a few allergies. It showed a B-17 of the 8th Air Force flying low over a snow-covered home decorated for Christmas, it was captioned "I'll be home for Christmas" with a note mentioning the thousands of GIs fighting in Europe and the Pacific in World War II, all probably dreaming of home around the holidays. I've looked for that artwork ever since, still haven't found what I'm looking for...

(Nope, not a segue into a U2 song, but I do like the tune, has nothing to do with Christmas, well, if you think about it, maybe it does...)

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of Bing Crosby Christmas songs that I really, really like. Well, except maybe for Mele Kalikimaka which never felt very Christmas-y to me. Perhaps because I have trouble associating Christmas with Hawaii. Too warm. The tune is awfully catchy though, just not my cup of tea.

I could probably do a dozen posts on Bing Crosby Christmas songs, don't worry though, I'm not going to.

But ya know, the season is upon us and, well, take it away boys!

I love that song. It's funny and brings back a lot of found memories. Not that my family was anything like that.

Well, maybe a little...

Oh yeah, "my" pew. I almost forgot!

When The Missus Herself and I first began going to church on Sundays, we were new, we knew no one, so I decided we'd sit all the way in the back. Hoping I guess that no one would notice us and that we could slip in and out unnoticed. Fat chance of that, the folks at my church are very warm and welcoming. They noticed us, they actually engaged us in conversation. All before I could run away and hide. No, The Missus Herself grasping my arm and muttering "Move and you're a dead man." had nothing to do with it...

Anyhoo, we continued to sit there, though one Sunday some of the kids decided to sit way up back so they could goof around, I guess. When we entered, The Missus Herself started to drag me to another pew, but I just stopped and looked at the kids. One of whom said, "Hahaha, we're sitting here today!"

It's odd how quickly they vacated "my" pew.

All I did was growl.

Did I get a few odd looks that day? You betcha.

How is that different from any other day?