“Ihr Kinderlein, Kommet” is a traditional German Christmas carol, published in 1811. Christoph von Schmid wrote the German lyrics in 1798, and they were set to Johann Abraham Peter Schulz’s 1794 melody. You can find one English translation
here.
I hope you enjoy this carol played on lyre, viola, and Oriole soprano recorder with melody and harmony!
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How well I remember those sweet rosy days
When morning and nighttime the piano I played!
Just tapping the ivory keys made me calm
And made it less painful, whatever was wrong.
I miss playing piano each day and each night,
But music still lifts me up close to the Light!
—
My response to
#Threethingschallenge #443.
The Jewish Festival of Lights begins tonight! In the spirit of celebration and friendship, I offer you two Hanukkah songs played on zither and viola.
The first is “Chanukah.” I couldn’t find out who wrote these lyrics and music; so, please share if you know! It’s the 10th song on
this page,
under the “Chanukah” heading.
The second is “I Have a Little Dreidel,” also known by many other names! It is so popular that even non-Jewish people recognize it. Though I’m not Jewish, I have played Dreidel with Jewish friends during Hanukkah, and won some chocolate gelt, too! You know, those foil-covered chocolate coins that often come in a mesh bag and bring the promise of sweetness! You can read more about this fun and popular song
here.
You can also listen to the
First Night Chanukah Blessings
I recorded with ukulele last year.
I wish everyone who is celebrating a happy, blessed, sweet, and joyous Hanukkah/Chanukah! Gotta love those latkes! 😀
This post is part of my Holiday Blogging Party.
You’re invited!
Please click the link, and participate as much as you like!
The door will open if we knock–
For everyone, not just a few.
And that includes Uniquely You!
You hold the key to fit the lock.
No expiration, time or clock,
But readiness of soul and mind
To claim the peace and love we find.
No need to wait until we fail
For one last hope or holy hail.
The place is here, and now’s the time!
—
Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 35: (KNOCK) in the A rhyme line.
It’s the night before!
Anticipation trembles…
Hopeful for the dawn.
—
Written for
MLMM Heeding Haiku with Chèvrefeuille, Celebration
You’re invited to join my
Holiday Blogging Party
with one or more of your own holiday-themed, positive or inspirational posts!
“Kommet, Ihr Hirten” (“Come, Ye Shepherds”) is a traditional German Christmas carol. However, it is based on an earlier Czech carol, entitled “Nesem vám noviny.” The melody is Bohemian, author unknown. Carl Riedel wrote the German lyrics, and the carol was first published in 1870.
The lyrics urge “Shepherds, men and women” to come to the Nativity scene and see the “lovely child.” They describe the angel’s visit, the shepherds’ walk to the manger, and their adoration of the Lord who has brought “peace on earth, goodwill to all mankind.”
I hope you enjoy this arrangement featuring melody and harmony on Oriole (soprano) and alto recorder respectively, lyre accompaniment, and the German lyrics I learned from a record album about 20 years ago!
This post is part of my Holiday Blogging Party. Want to participate?
Click here to learn how!
How we take the scarring, scraping
Given by the lives we’ve chosen!
In our prison, rigid, frozen,
While the door is open, gaping!
For we live the lives we’re shaping
By our choices, thoughts, believing.
True acceptance starts relieving.
Earth is anything but stable;
Let us cling to Heaven’s cable!
Keep the Truth and stop deceiving!
—
This was a hard one for me, using the word “stable” in the D line of a Decima! Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 34: (STABLE) in the D rhyme line.
This beautiful Christmas carol began as a poem written by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848. The poem is based on Luke 2:4-7, which read:
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
In 1849, English organist Henry John Gauntlett discovered the poem and set it to his melody entitled “Irby,” which is the tune we still sing today.
I first heard this carol on a CD of English (as in from England) carols someone gave me for Christmas when I was about 15. It was a choral arrangement that began with a soprano soloist. For some reason the melody and
lyrics
were unforgetable to me, and I learned to play the carol by ear on piano to accompany my singing.
Here is “Once in Royal David’s City” on ukulele, viola, alto recorder, and lyre. I hope you enjoy it!
This post is part of my Holiday Blogging party. And you’re invited!
Click here to learn how to participate!
A white fluffy blanket will cover us soon.
We’ll cringe at the cold as our chapped dry lips move.
We’ll run for the festive, no reason or rhyme,
‘Cause didn’t you know? It’s the hair-raising time!
We’ll step into debt and think inside each box,
Darting into an app for just one pair of socks!
There’s a pump in the basement in need of repair.
It’s been flagging and dragging since Christmas last year!
I would chortle if things weren’t so dyer and sad,
But this holiday season, for many, is bad.
Can’t we look out for others and not just our own?
We know someone or something in need of a home!
We can mine our resources to offer some help,
For the little we have is another’s great wealth!
There is no “Automatic” or button to press,
But for somebody, somewhere, it’s we who can bless!
When the pretty snowflakes fall upon you this year,
Ask yourself what you’ve done for another’s good cheer!
For no matter the gift and no matter how small,
It’s the giving that’s truly the best gift of all!
—
My response to this week’s
Take 7 at Pensitivity101.
Also part of my Holiday Blogging Party.
You’re invited! Please come along!
This haunting carol is said to be Canada’s oldest Christmas song. Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, wrote “Huron Carol” around 1642. It is also called “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.”
The lyrics are an aboriginal Canadian retelling of the Nativity story, using imagery familiar to native people. Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in the Huron/Wendat people’s native language, in which the original title is “Jesous Ahatonhia” (“Jesus, he is born”). The song has been translated into both French and English.
The melody is based on a French folk tune called “Une Jeune Pucelle” (A Young Maid). The carol is still found in Canadian hymnals today.
I hope you enjoy listening to “Huron Carol” on ukulele, viola, and alto recorder!
This post is part of my Holiday Blogging Party.
You’re invited!
Please click the link and participate as much as you wish!
Mystical Strings 
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