2025 carol book
voice of the qathet region
Yo ho ho and a merry game night!
Avast, me hearties!
Captain Karyne’s stocked the shelves with mighty fine loot for landlubbers and legends alike
Winter Wonderland
Lyrics by Richard Bernhard Smith; melody by Felix Bernard
“Winter Wonderland,” with its vivid cold weather imagery, seems like it was tailor-made to sing around Christmastime. But much like “Jingle Bells,” the song wasn’t actually written for the holiday season. The lyrics were penned in the 1930s by Richard Bernhard Smith, who was suffering from tuberculosis at the time and holed up indoors. Smith stared out his window observing kids playing innocently in the snow and wrote a poem evoking feelings of the carefree days he once knew. Smith’s friend and musician Felix Bernard took the lyrics and composed a melody to go with them. Even though the song never specifically mentions Christmas, it quickly became a holiday standard.
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glistening, A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight, Walking in a winter wonderland.
Gone away is the bluebird, Here to stay is a new bird, He sings a love song, as we go along, Walking in a winter wonderland.
(Chorus)
In the meadow we can build a snowman, Then pretend that he is Parson Brown, He’ll say: Are you married? We’ll say: No man, But you can do the job while you’re in town. Later on, we’ll conspire, As we dream by the fire, To face unafraid, the plans that we’ve made, Walking in a winter wonderland.
(Chorus)
When it snows, ain’t it thrilling, Though your nose gets a chilling We’ll frolic and play, the Eskimo way, Walking in a winter wonderland. Walking in a winter wonderland, Walking in a winter wonderland.
~ Lyrics courtesy of Christmassongs.net
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Jolly old Saint Nicholas
Lean your ear this way; Don't you tell a single soul What I'm going to say, Christmas Eve is coming soon; Now you dear old man, Whisper what you'll bring to me; Tell me if you can.
~
John Piersol McCaskey. 1881
When the clock is striking twelve, When I'm fast asleep, Down the chimney broad and black With your pack you'll creep; All the stockings you will find Hanging in a row; Mine will be the shortest one; You'll be sure to know.
Johnny wants a pair of skates; Susy wants a dolly Nellie wants a story book, She thinks dolls are folly As for me, my little brain Isn't very bright; Choose for me, dear Santa Claus, What you think is right.
The Christmas Song
“The Christmas Song,” perhaps better known as “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire,” is a beloved tune co-written in 1945 by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. The song was reportedly penned on a hot July day and the writers had to think cool thoughts to evoke a feeling of the holiday season. This Christmas classic became one of the defining performances of Nat King Cole’s career, as he is one of the most popular artists to perform the song and recorded it on at least three separate occasions.
~ Written by Robert Wells & Mel Tormé
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos. Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe help to make the season bright. Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight. They know that Santa’s on his way.
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother’s child is gonna spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly. And so I’m offering this simple phrase to kids from one to ninety-two. Although it’s been said many times many ways: Merry Christmas to you!
Lyrics courtesy of Lyricsforchristmas.com
Up on the Housetop
~ Benjamin Hanby 1864
Santa Claus comes tonight No more days to count
But the even longer wait begins
The suspense of having to wait from bedtime 'til morning
Yes, kids all over the world say their prayers and go to sleep
Knowing that when they wake up, the little fat man
With a long white beard, would've stopped by their houses
And left the answer to a wish from the most wonderful Magical sack there ever was Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Up on the house top, oh-oh-oh
Up on the house top, reindeer pause Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys Oh, who wouldn't go? (Oh-oh-oh)
Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click Down through the chimney with the good St. Nick
First comes the stocking of little Nell Ol' dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that can open and shut its eyes Who wouldn't go? (Oh-oh-oh)
Who wouldn't go?
Up on the house top, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good St. Nick
Look in the stocking of little Bill Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
A whistle and a ball and a whip that cracks Who wouldn't go? (Oh-oh-oh)
Who wouldn't go?
Up on the house top, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good St. Nick Who wouldn't go? (Oh-oh-oh) Who wouldn't go?
Up on the house top, click, click, click Down through the chimney with good St. Nick
Down through the chimney with good St. Nick
Piano Heist
A festive romp through Christmas classics with comic shenanigans. Come ready to join in! December 15 • Adults $35 • 12 & under $10 The Fretless Juno Award winners transform string music into intricate, high energy arrangements. January 20 • $35
The Wardens
Songs and stories from National Park Wardens; a quintessential mountain-culture concert experience. January 30 • $35
Here We Come A-Carolling
Lyrics courtesy of Christmassongsandcarols.com
Christmas carollers may not be as visible as they once were, but holiday celebrants who still engage in this fun tradition will have many songs to choose from as they inspire their neighbours with holiday cheer. No song may align with caroling better than “Here We Come A-Carolling” (or “Here We Come A-wassailing”). Though it’s hard to pinpoint the precise origins of this beloved song, historians believe it dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. Since then, the song has been performed by many notable groups, artists and even rodents, as distinguished entertainers such as the Boston Pops, Perry Como and Alvin and the Chipmunks have recorded the tune.
Here we come a-carolling
Among the leaves so green
Here we come a-wand’ring So fair to be seen
Love and joy come to you
And to you glad Christmas, too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year
We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door
But we are neighbours’ children
Whom you have seen before
Love and joy come to you
And to you glad Christmas, too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year
Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth
Bring us out a mouldy cheese
And some of your Christmas loaf
Love and joy come to you
And to you glad Christmas, too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year
God bless the master of this house
Likewise the mistress, too
And all the little children
That round the table go
Love and joy come to you
And to you glad Christmas, too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you
a Happy New Year
Good master and good mistress
While you’re sitting by the fire
Pray think of us poor children
Who are wandering in the mire
Love and joy come to you
And to you glad Christmas, too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Auld Lang Syne
~ Lyrics by Robert Burns
They might not realize it, but New Year’s Eve celebrants honour a world-renowned Scottish poet and lyricist each time they sing along to “Auld Lang Syne” as the clock strikes 12 midnight on New Year’s Eve. Robert Burns wrote “Auld Lang Syne” in 1788 and translations regarding what the phrase means vary. Burns wrote the poem in the Scots language, which is a little known language spoken in Scotland and parts of Ulster in Ireland. The phrase is now widely translated as “times long past,” which may explain why it has become the unofficial anthem of New Year’s Eve.
Should old acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, And old lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup! And surely I’ll buy mine! And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
Chorus
We two have run about the slopes,
And picked the daisies fine; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, Since auld lang syne.
Chorus
We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared Since auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there’s a hand my trusty friend! And give me a hand o’ thine! And we’ll take a right good-will draught, For auld lang syne.
Chorus
Lyrics courtesy of Britannica.com
~Lyrics courtesy of Hymnary.org
Silent Night
“Silent Night” is one of many Christmas carols that has been around for quite some time. The song reached its 200th anniversary in 2018. Composed by Austrian primary school teacher Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics written by fellow Austrian and Roman Catholic priest Joseph Mohr in 1818, “Silent Night” was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in the small Austrian village of Oberndorf. The song has since been performed by countless artists, including the legendary actor and singer Bing Crosby.
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. Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar, heav’nly 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!
Silent night! Holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light; with the angels let us sing “Alleluia” to our King: “Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born.”
Handcrafted small-batch wines A new tradition for Powell River Come taste what we’ve been pouring our hearts into.
written by Placide Cappeau
O Holy Night
The origins of “O Holy Night” can be traced to a request made by a 19th century French priest. In the fall of 1847, that priest asked a French merchant named Placide Cappeau to write a Christmas poem. Cappeau’s poem was eventually shared with French composer Adolphe Adam, who quickly set the poem to music. The song made its debut on Christmas Eve 1847 and has been a beloved holiday song ever since.
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger, Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever, His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim.
Lyrics courtesy of LyricsforChristmas.com
