Strange But True Facts About Christmas Songs

[Dave (imported)]

This isn't in any way sarcastic, just bemused.

Of course, the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was written by a Jewish-American songwriter, Johnny Marks. He also wrote "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

Also written by Jews: "I'll be Home for Christmas, Walter Kent" "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),"

and of course, the mother of all Jewish-written Christmas songs, "White Christmas," by Irving Berlin.

[speedvogel (imported)]

This isn't in any way sarcastic, just bemused.

Of course, the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was written by a Jewish-American songwriter, Johnny Marks. He also wrote "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

Also written by Jews: "I'll be Home for Christmas, Walter Kent" "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),"

and of course, the mother of all Jewish-written Christmas songs, "White Christmas," by Irving Berlin.

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day Words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1864, Music by John Calkin in 1872. Longfellow was in deep depression after the death of his wife in a tragic fire. He was staying at his brother-in-law's home in Sault Ste. Marie, MI when he wrote the poem. I believe both writers of this one were Protestants.

Speed

[Dave (imported)]

It seems that we are both right. Two rights and no wrongs. My original blurb wasn't specific enough.

Thanks for pointing out that the lyric is an adaptation of Longfellow's poem. The music we hear in our heads is more modern.

I went to Wikipedia for the information:

The poem has been set to several tunes. The first tune was set in the 1870s by an English organist, John Baptiste Calkin, to his composition "Waltham". Less commonly, the poem has also been set to the 1845 composition "Mainzer" by Joseph Mainzer. Johnny Marks, known for his song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", set Longfellow’s poem to music in the 1950s.

Marks' version has been recorded by Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, Kate Smith, Frank Sinatra, Sarah McLachlan, Pedro the Lion, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, The Carpenters and Bing Crosby . Marks' composition is now generally accepted as the de facto version and is generally what is used for modern recordings of the song, though Calkin's version is still heard as well.

In 1990, John Gorka recorded his arrangement entitled "Christmas Bells", which uses stanzas 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the poem. In 2008, Mark Hall, lead vocalist of Casting Crowns, recorded his own arrangement, for release on their forthcoming Christmas album, Peace On Earth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Heard_th ... istmas_Day

[bfleish (imported)]

OK, you got me started:

"The Christmas Song" (Chestnut's roasting on an open fire) was written by Mel Torme and was Jewish.

Remember the cartoon "How The Grinch that Stole Christmas" and the song "You're a mean one Mr. Grinch"? Written by Albert Hauge

Or how about the incredibly sucessful Christmas Albums from Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, Kenny G? All Jews.

Wanna know why? Money. Every 12 months the royalty checks arrive...... FOREVER!!!

btw I am not making any comments that are sarcastic or mean spirited. I am only stating what is real. No mean spirits around here please!!

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

As my (Jewish) wife says: "We're everywhere. --FLO--

[Dave (imported)]

Perhaps they have learned a lesson, that to give joy and happiness to others is the best gift of all. And what is the most secular lesson of Christmas? What is the most commercial leson of Christmas? ...That it is better to give than receive.

[bobover3 (imported)]

My post, in which I objected to the anti-Semitic tenor of the remarks here, was deleted by someone.

[kristoff]

My post, in which I objected to the anti-Semitic tenor of the remarks here, was deleted by someone.

If you looked a little closer, you would see that I deleted it. It was way off topic and inappropriate. If you want to make a political rant, do it in the political forums.

[randy (imported)]

Has anyone else realized that Joy to the World isn't a Christmas song? It is about the second coming.

[bobover3 (imported)]

I find the topic of this thread anti-Semitic and highly offensive.