Yule Blessings, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Season's Greetings to You and Yours!

(however you celebrate - or even if you don't!)

;)  Jenn

fM's Tradition of Blog Caroling: 12 Days of Christmas...the Canadian version!

While I've already submitted my blog carol (The Huron Carol) previously, I couldn't help but include the Canadian version of the Twelve Days of Christmas! ;-)



"On the late-night sketch-comedy program Second City TV in 1982, the Canadian-rustic characters Bob & Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, respectively) released a version on the SCTV spin-off album Great White North, in which the gifts included eight comic books, seven packs of smokes (cigarettes), six packs of two-four ("two-four" is Canadian slang for a case of 24 bottles of beer), five golden tuques, four pounds of back bacon, three (pieces of) French toast, two turtlenecks, and a beer in a tree. (They did not get past the eighth day. Bob wanted to include a dozen (12) doughnuts on the twelfth day.)" [courtesy of Wiki]

Also, if you want another (though a little more kid friendly) Canadian version, there is a children's picture book written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Werner Zimmermann called A Porcupine In a Pine Tree: A Canadian 12 Days of Christmas. Check out Mr. Zimmerman's blog for some of his sketches from the book, which includes Canada at her best (porcupines, moose, beavers, Mounties, Tim Hortons doughnuts, hockey and more!) ;-)

I love everyone's choices so far - and lots of lovely "silent" singing! ;-)

Enjoy!
Jenn

fM's Tradition of Blog Caroling: The Huron Carol

I've decided to participate in footnoteMaven's Blog Caroling, and from a bevy of favourite songs, I've decided on "The Huron Carol".

"The Huron Carol" is Canada's oldest Christmas song, written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Canada.  It was originally written in the native tongue of the Huron/Wendat people amongst whom de Brébeuf was stationed and the original song title was "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, he is born") in Huron. The melody is based on a traditional French folk song, "Une Jeune Pucelle" ("A Young Maid"). [Brief history courtesy of Wiki]

There's a few different versions, but this is my favourite - in two languages! 
Enjoy!  Jenn



The Huron Carol ('Twas In the Moon of Wintertime)

'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.