Songs for
the Christmas season (inc Thanksgiving)
The
angel band
The
birds’ carol
The
boar’s head carol
The
cherry tree carol
The
gingerbread man
The
Gower wassail
The
holly and the ivy
The
little fir tree
The
pine tree
The
turkey
The turkey
I saw on Thanksgiving
The
turkey is a funny bird
There
was a pig went out to dig
The
angel band
The
Christmas robot
The
holly and the ivy
The
Holly Tree / Y Gelynnen
Three
little angels
Turkey
trot blues
Up on
the rooftop / housetop
Under
Bethlehem’s star so bright
We
wish you a merry Christmas
When
Santa got stuck up the chimney
Who
is coming on Christmas night?
Winds
through the olive trees
Zumba,
Zumba / Zumbale al pandero
Also:
Mister Turkey and
Mister Duck
Christmas songs A-E 📦 F-S 🔔🔔 🎅
Last updated: 12/6/2021
1:11 PM
The songs below are part of ‘Away we
go’ compiled, adapted and
illustrated by Dany Rosevear
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To listen to music from these songs click on 🔊
To watch the
author sing a song click on the title at:
© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
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The
angel band O An Afro-American spiritual with a
great rhythm and a fun way to count to ten. |
There was one, there were
two, There were three little
angels, There were four, there were
five, There were six little
angels, There were seven, there
were eight, There were nine little
angels, Ten little angels in the
band. Wasn't that a band one
Christmas morning, Christmas morning,
Christmas morning, Wasn't that a band one
Christmas morning, Christmas morning so soon! |
The
birds’ carol 🔊 A Czech folk carol, ‘Žežulka z lesa
vylítla’, translated by Percy Dearmer. There are several carols of the birds
from around the world, but I like this one for its simplicity. Arranged by Dany Rosevear. |
From out of the wood did a cuckoo fly,
"Cuckoo!" He came to the manger with joyful cry,
"Cuckoo!" He hopped, he curtsied, 'round he flew And loud his jubilation grew, "Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!" A pigeon flew over to Galilee, "Vrercroo!" He strutted and cooed and was filled with glee,
"Vrercroo!" And showed with jeweled wings unfurled His joy that Christ was in the world, "Vrercroo! Vrercroo! Vrercroo!" A dove settled down upon Nazareth,
"Tsucroo!" And tenderly chanted with all his breath,
"Tsucroo!" "Oh You," he cooed, "so good and true,
My beauty do I give to you. Tsucroo! Tsucroo! Tscroo!" 1. Žežulka z lesa vylítla, kuku, u samých jesliček sedla, kuku. Čest vzdává a prozpěvuje, Pána svého
vychvaluje, kuku, kuku, kuku. 2. Holoubek sedí na báni, vrků, dal se silně do houkání, vrků. Je tomu také povděčen, že Ježíšek je narozen, vrků, vrků, vrků. 3. Hrdlička nad chlívem lítá, cukrů, líbezně Ježíška vítá, cukrů, až jí nabíhá volátko, svým hlasem
ctí Jezulátko, cukrů, cukrů, cukrů. |
The
boar’s head carol 🔊 A song to sing with stately grace. The versions you hear nowadays are
based on the one published in 1521 by Wynkyn
de Worde. |
The boar's head in hand bear I, Bedecked with bays and rosemary; And I pray you, my masters, be merry, Quot
estis in convivio (As many as are in the feast) CHORUS Caput
apri defero (The boar's head I bear) Reddens
laudes Domino (Giving praises to the Lord) The boar's head, as I understand, Is the rarest dish in all this land. When thus bedecked with a gay garland, Let us servire
cantico. (Let us serve with a song) CHORUS Our steward hath provided this In honour of the King of Bliss; Which on this day to be servèd is In
Reginensi atrio. (In the hall of Queen’s College) |
The
cherry tree carol 🔊 This beautiful carol, Child #54,
was collected in Britain in the seventeenth century though it was probably
older; it was found throughout the Appalachians, in the Ozarks and also in
Canada. It has been recorded by Joan Baez and Jean Ritchie among others. Find
more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cherry-Tree_Carol |
Joseph was an old man, an old man was he, He married Virgin Mary, the Queen of Galilee, He married Virgin Mary, the Queen of Galilee. Joseph and Mary walked through an orchard green, There were berries and cherries as thick as might be
seen, There were berries and cherries as thick as might be
seen. Mary spoke to Joseph, so meek and so mild, "Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with
child, Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with
child" Then Joseph flew in anger, in anger flew he, "Let the father of the baby gather cherries for
thee! Let the father of the baby gather cherries for
thee!" Then up spoke baby Jesus, a few words spoke he, "Let my mother have some cherries, bow low down
cherry tree, Let my mother have some cherries, bow low down cherry
tree.” The cherry tree bowed low down, low down to the
ground, And Mary gathered cherries, while Joseph stood
around, And Mary gathered cherries, while Joseph stood
around. Then Joseph took Mary all on his right knee, "Come tell me, little baby when your birthday
shall be, Come tell me, little baby when your birthday shall
be.” "On the sixth day of January my birthday shall
be, When the stars in the heavens shall bow low down to
me, When the stars in the heavens shall bow low down to
me.” As Joseph was a-walking, he heard an angel sing, "Tonight shall be the birth-time of Christ, our
heavenly king, "Tonight shall be the birth-time of Christ, our
heavenly king." |
The
gingerbread man 🔊
A seasonal baby bounce. Also a song to sing when reading
the traditional story and making gingerbread men. One for the Christmas tree
a season when gingerbread provides a feeling of warmth at that time of year. Words adapted from those of Eva
Rowland in Music by Dany Rosevear. Find the traditional refrain here: (2) Run, run, as fast as you can! Move fast, slow, loud and quiet with the gingerbread man. - YouTube 1. Bounce toddler on lap. Draw
imaginary smile. Tap feet together. 2. Bounce on lap. Lay child backwards. Lift child up high.
Continue bouncing. |
Sing humpty, dumpty, dickery dan! Sing hey, and sing ho, for the gingerbread man! With a smile so sweet and a form so neat And gingerbread shoes on those gingerbread feet, And gingerbread shoes on those gingerbread feet. With eyes of currants all shiny and black; He’s baked in a pan, lying flat on his back; Then out of the oven so glossy and brown, The lovliest gingerbread man in the town, The lovliest gingerbread man in the town! |
The
Christmas robot 🔊 This sweet little song was sung at
my grandson’s Christmas concert. Children will enjoy moving around the room like a robot to this song. |
Oh, a robot came to dinner, He came on Christmas day, He didn’t like the turkey So he threw it all away; He ate up all the knives and forks And then he asked for more, I’ve never had a Christmas dinner Quite like that before! |
The
Gower wassail 🔊 Wassailing is an ancient English
Christmas time ritual. Mostly as sung by the Welsh bard Phillip Tanner, the
last two verses are an amalgam of other versions. Find out more about this song at: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=125833. |
A-wassail, a-wassail throughout all this town, Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown. Our wassail is made of the good ale and cake, Some nutmeg and ginger, the best we could bake. Chorus: Al di dal, al di dal di dal, Al di dal di dal, al di dal di dee. Al de deral, al de derry, Sing toorel-I-oh. Our wassail is made of the elderberry bough, And so my good neighbours we'll drink unto thou. Besides all on earth, we have apples in store, Pray let us come in for it's cold by the door. We know by the moon that we are not too soon, And we know by the sky that we are not too high. We know by the stars that we are not too far, And we know by the ground that we are within sound. There's a master and a mistress sitting down by the
fire, While we poor wassailers stand here in the mire. Pray open your door without more delay, For our time it is precious and we cannot stay. Here's we jolly wassailers growing weary and cold, Drop a bit of silver into our old bowl. And, if we survive for another new year, We'll call in again just to see who lives here. |
The
Holly Tree / Y Gelynnen 🔊 This is a Welsh folk-song, the English words are by Carlene Marr and
featured in Singing Together, Autumn 1971, BBC
Publications. You can find the Welsh words and more information at: http://www.joe-offer.com/folkinfo/forum/930.html |
Now gather round my loving friends, And let us praise the holly. There’s no tree grows in the wood That is so bright and jolly. Chorus Fol-di-rol-di-ri-do, Fol-di-rid-dle-ri, O fol-di-rol-di-ri-do! There’s no tree grows in the wood That is so bright and jolly! The ancient oak is very strong, The yew is melancholy. You can have them both so long As you give me the holly! The sparrows and the blackbird nest In trees that please their folly, But my sweetheart loves to rest Beneath the shining holly! |
The
holly and the ivy 🔊 The holly and the Ivy is a
traditional English Christmas Carol, which is sung to several tunes.
Sometimes called the Hertfordshire carol this is one (Roud Number 514) was
familiar in the 1970s from the recording of Steeleye Span and is still sung
in folk clubs around the land. Find out more at: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=42010
|
When they are both full
grown, Of all the trees that are
in the wood, The holly tree bears the
crown. Chorus Oh, the rising of the sun And the running of the
deer, The playing of the merry
organ, Sweet singing all in the
choir. Oh, the holly tree bears a
blossom, As white as lily flower, And Mary bore sweet Jesus
Christ To be our sweet Saviour. Chorus Oh, the holly tree bears a
berry As red as any blood, And Mary bore sweet Jesus
Christ To do poor sinners good. Chorus Oh, the holly tree bears a
prickle, As sharp as any thorn, And Mary bore sweet Jesus
Christ On Christmas Day in the
morn. Chorus Oh, the holly tree bears a
bark As bitter as any gall, And Mary bore sweet Jesus
Christ For to redeem us all. Chorus Oh, the holly and the ivy, When they are both full
grown, Of all the trees that are
in the wood, The holly tree bears the
crown. Chorus |
The
little fir tree O This Christmas song comes from ‘Making
music your own 2’; I presume it has been translated from another language by
Margaret Marks possibly German as it is classed as traditional but I can find
nothing about it on the internet. |
The fir trees in the silent wood Grew slowly tall and strong. All through the summer there they stood, And all the winter long. The furry rabbits hopped about Beneath their boughs all day, Until a wolf came bounding out To frighten them away. There came a woodsman in the sleigh To cut a fir tree down. He chose a tree and chopped away And carried it to town. The little fir tree bright with toys Stands here on Christmas day, And all the children gather round To clap hands, dance and play. |
The pine
tree 🔊 Beautiful in all its natural glory! Author unknown. You will notice the
tune is taken from Schubert’s ‘The Trout’ Arranged by Dany Rosevear. Verse 1. Point hands above head. Shake finger. 2. Make pine cones with
hands bunched down. Fingers point down for icicles. Make snow fall. Hands to
cheek. 3. Make window with thumbs and forefingers. Make heart shape with
thumbs and forefingers. Blow a kiss. |
Outside there is a pine tree, Standing straight and tall. It needs no decorations For Nature's done it all. Pine cones on its branches With icicles glistening bright, Snow upon its needles And birds at rest from flight. I see it from my window, And take the time to say, Thank you for your beauty, tree, Upon this Christmas day. |
The
turkey O A Hungarian children’s song
‘Debreczenbe kene menni’ Bela Bartok used this tune for one of his piano
compositions. Mime driving and bumping up and down. |
This old road is hard and bumpy, Our new turkey's wild and jumpy. Driver! Driver! Not so jerky! Or you'll make us lose our turkey. Debre tsenbe kayne menni, Puykahkahkasht kayne venni, Veedyaz kocheesh yukash a kash, Keeehshik a puykahkahkash. |
The
turkey I saw on Thanksgiving / before
Christmas 🔊 A classic Thanksgiving / Christmas
escape hand play. Make a fist for the turkey body, stretch thumb for neck and spread
fingers of the other hand for tail, Make a shhh sound, shake forefinger, put
hands behind back. |
The turkey I saw on Thanksgiving, / before Christmas Had a tail spread ever so wide. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone that you’ve seen her, For she’s running away to hide! |
The
turkey is a funny bird O A Thanksgiving song and simple hand
play for younger children. Hold up hand with palm facing out. Wrap other hand over thumb with
fingers towards you, and thumb
extended Wag thumb back and forth for second and fourth lines. |
The turkey is a funny bird, It’s head goes wibble, wobble. And it only knows a single word, “Gobble, gobble, gobble.” |
There
was a pig went out to dig O This song with its delightful minor
key (unusual for Yuletide season) originated as a mummer’s carol which linked
the farming cycle of ploughing, planting and harvesting to the Christmas
festivities. A great Christmas song for making
up rhymes and other seasonal animals could be included – there was a robin
went out a-bobbin’. |
There was a pig went out to dig, Chris-i-mas day, on Chris-i-mas day, There was a pig went out to dig, On Chris-i-mas day in the morning. There was a cow went out to plough, Chris-i-mas day, on Chris-i-mas day, There was a cow went out to plough, On Chris-i-mas day in the morning. There was a sparrow went out to harrow... There was a crow went out to sow... There was a sheep went out to reap... |
Three
little angels 🔊 A comic community song. More verses
can be added. |
Three little angels all dressed in white, Tried to get to heaven on the end of a kite; But the kite string broke and down they all fell, They couldn't get to heaven so they all went to... Two little angels... One little angel... Three little devils all dressed in red, Tried to get to heaven on the end of a bed; But the bed post broke and down they all fell, They couldn't get to heaven so they all went to... Two little devils... One little devil... Three little leprechauns all dressed in green, Tried to get to heaven on a sewing machine; But the needle broke and down they all fell, They couldn't get to heaven so they all went to... Two little leprechauns... One little leprechaun... Dont get excited, dont lose your head, Instead of going to heaven they all went to bed! |
Turkey
trot blues 🔊 The Turkey
trot blues game is from Liza Meyer’s website: MeyersMusic. Children sit in a circle with a farmer and turkey on the outside and
one child in the circle with a drum. V1. Turkey moves round the circle to the beat with elbow wings
flapping freezing at the end. Seated children tap floor for each rest with a
loud one at the end for freezing. V2. Farmer strolls round the outside to the
beat freezing at the end when the other children shout “Run, turkey, run!” to
the drum beat. The farmer then chases the turkey who attempts to run to his
place before being caught by the farmer. If caught s/he becomes the next
farmer, if they escapes takes the place of the drummer who in turn becomes
the the turkey. |
Gobble, gobble, gobble, Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, With a waddle. Turkey trot, trot, trot, Across the lot, lot, lot, Feeling fine, fine, fine, Until Thanksgiving time. Trouble, trouble, trouble, Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, On the double... BOOM! |
Under
Bethlehem’s star so bright 🔊 A traditional Czech carol
translated by M. C. Vojaccek perfect for the infant Nativity play. I used it
regularly through my years of teaching for the younger classes. It works well with a simple
percussion accompaniment. |
Under Bethl’lem’s star so bright, Shepherds watched their flocks by night. Chorus: Hydom, hydom, tid-li-dom, Hydom, hydom, tid-li-dom. Came an angel telling them They must go to Bethlehem. “Hasten hasten” they did say, “Jesus Christ you’ll find that way.” “Sleeping in a manger bare Lies the holy child so fair” Mary rocks him tenderly, Joseph sings a lullaby. |
Up on
the rooftop / housetop O The original music and words of this
Victorian Christmas song were written by Benjamin R Hanby around 1864.
Originally a preacher from Ohio he introduced it at a Quaker Christmas party
in Indiana. Find out more at: http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/up_on_the_housetop.htm Several
updated adaptations can be found on the internet and in the same spirit I
have modified the second and third verse to reflect today’s present giving. |
Up on the rooftop reindeer pause, Out jumps good old Santa Claus. Down through the chimney with lots of toys, All for the little ones, Christmas joys. Chorus Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Up on the housetop, click, click, click, Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick. First comes the stocking of little Nell; Oh how Santa has filled it well; Here is a teddy, she laughs and cries, Each little parcel a big surprise! Chorus Next comes the stocking of little Will, Oh, just see what a glorious fill; Here is a hammer and lots of tacks Also a train and a railway track. Chorus. Pa, ma, and uncle, and grandma too, All I declare have something new; Even the baby enjoys his part, Shaking a rattle, well bless his heart. Chorus Rover come here, are you all alone, Haven't they tossed you an extra bone? Here's one to gladden your honest jaws Now wag a "Thank you!" to Santa Claus. |
We wish
you a Merry Christmas O The Christmas pudding has always
been eaten for dessert At the Christmas meal. Filled with all sorts of rich
and sweet ingredients and decorated with holly. Rum or brandy is poured over
the pudding and set alight. Children still hunt for the hidden coins though
since the disappearance of the sixpence this practice has become less common.
Sing the chorus after each verse. |
We wish you a merry Christmas, We wish you a merry Christmas, We wish you a merry Christmas, And a happy New Year. Chorus Good tidings we bring To you and your kin, We wish you a merry Christmas, And a happy New Year. Now bring us some figgy pudding x3 And bring some out here. We all like our figgy pudding x3 With all its good cheer. We won’t go until we’ve got some x3 So bring some out here. |
When Santa
got stuck up the chimney O The version below of this
traditional song was sung by Jimmy Grafton but there are many other versions
to be found on the internet. |
When Santa got stuck up the chimney, he began to shout; "You girls and boys won't get any toys if you don't pull me out. My beard is black, There's soot in my sack, My nose is tickling
too!" When Santa got stuck up the chimney, Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! 'Twas on the eve before Christmas day, When Santa Claus arrived on his sleigh. Into a chimney he climbed with his sack, But he was so fat, he couldn't get back. Oh, what a terrible plight! He stayed up there all night. When Santa got stuck up the chimney, he began to yell; "Oh hurry, please. It's all such a squeeze. The reindeer's stuck
as well! His head's up there in the cold night air, And his nose was red; now
it's blue." When Santa got stuck up the chimney, Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! So Rudolph tugged with all his might, But Santa Claus was stuck very tight. He wiggled and jiggled then cried with a frown: "I'll never get up. I'll never get down, Oh, what a terrible fuss! We should have come by bus." |
Who is
coming on Christmas night? O A song written by Claire Senior
Burke. Children love to show that they
know the name of this popular festive visitor! A good opportunity for
discussing Santa’s many names and origins. |
Who is coming on Christmas night? With a red, red coat and hair so white. Eyes that sparkle like a starry light? I know! Don’t you? Who has a bag all packed with toys And wonderful things for girls and boys, And a beautiful sleigh that makes no noise? I know! Don’t you? Who brings a dolly and a motor car, Peppermints and toffees and a chocolate bar? Who hangs his hat upon the Christmas star? I know! Don’t you? |
Winds
through the olive trees 🔊 A favourite from my infant nativity
play years. Words are translated from a Gascon
carol. I believe this is also the traditional music but there are other
versions. |
Winds through the olive trees, Softly did blow Round little Bethlehem, Long, long ago. Sheep on the hillside lay White as the snow, Shepherds were watching them, Long, long ago. Then from the happy skies, Angels bent low, Singing their songs of joy; Long, long ago, For in a manger bed, Cradled we know, Christ came to Bethlehem, Long, long ago. |
Zumba,
Zumba / Zumbale al pandero 🔊 This is a Christmas song from
Spain. The English verses are completely different from the traditional
Spanish words which can be easily found on the internet. I love this video of
young Spanish children singing the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZaBM5E6RSk A great song for using percussion. |
Zumba, Zumbale al pandero, Al pandero y al rabel Toca, toca la zambomba, Dale dale al almirez, Dale dale al almirez. Born on this night is a baby, Toumba toum! Everyone brings him a present, Toumba toum! Brings him a savoury meat pie, Toumba toum! Made out of partridge and pheasant. Toumba toum! Zumba, Zumba, strike the cymbal, Zumba, Zumba, strike the gong, Zumba, Zumba, beat the timbal, And the tambourine and drum, And the tambourine and drum. What shall I take to the baby? Toumba toum! What shall I say when I take it? Toumba toum! I’ll bring a gourd for a rattle, Toumba toum! I’ll ask his mother to shake it. Toumba toum! |
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