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Celtic Christmas Greetings

by Marc Gunn

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Celebrate Christmas with fun Celtic Christmas music on a CD by Marc Gunn, host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Come Adventure With Me, Selcouth, St Patrick's Day, As Long As I'm Flyin', Flower of Scotland, Pirates vs. Dragons, St Patrick's Day Songs for Kids, Celtic Christmas Greetings, and 20 more. , and , .

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1.
The Holly, ivy, mistletoe… The yew branch on the wall All of these have Celtic roots— We celebrate them all. A candle in the window To call the traveler home A symbol of trad-ition Wherever we may roam. *The year is almost over, Christmas is nearly here. It’s time for celebration, Let’s raise a glass, my dear— The year is almost over, Christmas is nearly here. Let’s make a new tradition And share our Celtic cheer! The Yule log in the fire place The new lit from the old It burns for all the evening And brings on luck foretold. Decorations on a Yule tree, The way we often do Bright stars upon the pine boughs Yes, that was Celtic too. And even Father Christmas, Our modern Santa Claus, Was once a Celtic fellow— Now, does that give you pause? So hang a wreath upon your door And set the Guinness out. Let’s have a Celtic Christmas That’s what it’s all about!
2.
God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember, Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy In Bethlehem, in Israel, This blessed Babe was born And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn To which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy From God our Heavenly Father A blessed Angel came; And unto certain Shepherds Brought tidings of the same: How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy
3.
Ho ho! Merry Christmas with a rat-ta-ta-tum, The presents we make will bring joy to children. Santa’s smiling and stroking his beard with his thumb Come celebrate Christmas with me, with me! Come celebrate Christmas with me! Twas a fortnight following St. Patrick’s Day When across the thin veil the Leprechauns came To Shebeg and Sheemore to dance with the fae To join the fine craic until morning. Ol’ Lucky was sitting and drinking stout brew When in walked two elves with green hats and red shoes He smiled and said, “Why! How do you do? Pull a seat up and drink here with me.” The larger elf said, “Let me buy you a beer. T’was a great Paddy’s Day from all that I hear!” The other elf added, “I’ve a secret to share.Gm Just listen and the next round’s on me.” Lucky drank his first pint while singing a song. The second pint came as he was feeling quite strong. But the shot of hot whiskey, made him feel all wrong. That’s when the elves began to speak. “Kris Kringle sent us to recruit by ourselves. But the Keeblers are busy. S.P.E.W.’s freeing house elves. I guess what we’re staying is we’ve chosen quite well. Your going to the North Pole with me.” They dragged him outside. Tied him to a reindeer To the North Pole they flew to serve a full year. You Leprechauns take note of Santa’s elves and beware Don’t share in the craic of the fae.
4.
On a cold Glasgow eve, We wandered brisk streets Like a storybook romance from the past From New Orleans to Scotland With memories to spend And you face lit up with a laugh Happy Christmas, my sweet, you're the reason I awake each morning joy on my face. Warm covers we cast off Like the cold Scottish frost Our hearts warm us up each Christmas Day Along Oban's sea wall, Christmas snow is falling Where you and I walked hand in hand Now our wee baby wiggles She's our tiny snow angel Without you, my Christmas feels bland
5.
The holly green, the ivy green, the prettiest picture you've ever seen It's Christmas in Killarney, with all of the folks at home. It's nice, you know, to kiss your beau, while cuddling under the mistletoe, and Santa Claus you know, of course, is one of the b'ys from home. The door is always open, the neighbors pay a call. And Father John, before he's gone, will bless the house and all. How grand it feels to click your heels And join in the fun of the jigs and reels. I'm handing you no blarney, The likes you've never known It's Christmas in Killarney, With all of the folks at home. Christmas in Killarney Is wonderful to see Listen to my story and I'll take you back with me. The holly green, the ivy green, the prettiest picture you've ever seen It's Christmas in Killarney, with all of the folks at home. It's nice, you know, to kiss your beau, while cuddling under the mistletoe, and Santa Claus you know, of course, is one of the b'ys from home. The door is always open, the neighbors pay a call. And Father John, before he's gone, will bless the house and all. How grand it feels to click your heels And join in the fun of the jigs and reels. I'm handing you no blarney, The likes you've never known It's Christmas in Killarney, With all of the folks at home.
6.
You've heard about three Kings of Orient are But have you heard about the fourth from afar He came down from the cold, windy north To celebrate Jesus' holy birth He followed the star across highlands and seas Far to the South, across many coun-ter-ies He wore blue paint and a kilt quite bold That danced as he walked into the stable door [scotland the brave melody] Fa-la la-la la-la-la Fa-la la-la la-la-la Fa-la la-la la-la-la Fa-la la-la The wise men looked up at this stranger and stared Who was this wild man who didn't comb his hair A wool blanket he brought that looked like his kilt He wrapped baby Jesus and by his side he knelt The wise men smiled as he left the stable door Thinking they like this man much more than before Then they heard a sound that blared through the night Baby Jesus awoke to those highland bagpipes. Fa-la la-la la-la-la Fa-la la-la la-la-la Fa-la la-la la-la-la Scotland the Brave
7.
Jingle Bells 02:52
Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way Bells on bobtail ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way. Oh! what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way; Oh! what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. A day or two ago I thought I'd take a ride And soon, Miss Fanny Bright Was seated by my side, The horse was lean and lank Misfortune seemed his lot We got into a drifted bank And then we got upsot. A day or two ago, This story I must tell I went out on the snow, And on my back I fell; A gent was riding by In a one-horse open sleigh, He laughed as I lay sprawling there, But quickly drove away. Now the ground is white Go it while you're young, Take the girls tonight and sing this sleighing song; Just get a bobtail bay Two forty as his speed Hitch him to an open sleigh And crack! you'll take the lead.
8.
Frosty the Snow Man, was a jolly craic'n soul With a corn-cob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal. Frosty the Snow Man, belongs to the fae they say He was made of snow but the wee folk know how he came to life one day. There must have been some magic in that old tweed hat they found, For when they placed it on his head he danced a jig all 'round. Oh, Frosty the Snow Man was alive as he could be, And the children say he could laugh and play just the same as you and me. Frosty the Snow Man,' knew the sun was out that day, So he said, "Let's run and we'll have some fun now before I melt away." Down to the village, a shillelagh in his hand, Running here and there all around the square, saying "Catch me if you can." He led them down old Galway town right to the traffic cop, And he only paused a moment when he heard him holler, "Stop!" Frosty the Snow Man had to hurry on his way, But he waved good-bye, saying, "Don't you cry; I'll be back again some day." Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump, Look at Frosty go. Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump, over the hills of snow...Oh...Oh...over the [D7]hills of snow.
9.
Snowfall 03:38
There's a snowfall out-side my window I dress for work and pull my shirt over my head There's this quiet stillness all around me I hear you whispering, "My darling, please, come back to bed." The snow doesn't want you to go to work today The snow bunting is singing ooooo stay home I know you have a heavy load that you must bare Lay it down for another day, my dear The snow is falling outside my window As I pull the warm covers over our heads A warm smile is glowing with the sunrise I hear you whispering, "Aren't you glad you stayed home instead?"
10.
Silent Night 03:09
Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin, mother and child Holy infant, tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, Holy night Shepherds quake, at the sight Glories stream from heaven above Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah. Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior 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.
11.
I've wandered through this world of ours For countless years on end. Seen wonders that I can't describe And troubles I could not mend. Yet as the year comes to a close, My heart begins to yen, For days of old and folks long gone. My thoughts go back to then… Long ago the Yule Bells rang, I still recall their chime. Oh, to be back in the Shire again, Now that it's Christmas time. To find myself at home once more, Where life was so slow and sweet, Amongst the hobbits whom I adore, Old friends I can't wait to greet. The bell-ringer lads made their rounds As the sun sank into bed. Farthing to farthing echoed the sounds, 'Til the moon raised up his head. In Buckland, Tuckborough, Bywater, and Bree, Every fireside was alight. Warmth and comfort provided for free, Crackled loud and flickered bright. With kith and kin gathered at side, We gave thanks for all we had. Where home and hearth, and peace abide, Our hearts were ever glad. I'd sit me down and name my pleasure, Mug of beer or vintage rare, Rings of smoke blown at leisure, Sup o' favorite hobbit fare. Six days of feasts and frolicking fun, Songs and stories to delight. Rich or poor, we all shared as one, Danced and reveled long into the night.

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Do you love Christmas ? Do you love Celtic music?

Next time you go looking for Celtic Christmas CDs, you may find as much trouble as Gunn had before he released his album. There were plenty of albums that were Celtic OR Christmas, but they were rarely both.

The Celtfather pulls in some great Celtic musicians and some outstanding songwriting to provide a truly CELTIC CHRISTMAS sound.

You'll glow with classic Christmas songs like God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Jingle Bells, Christmas in Killarney, and Silent Night, recorded live with a baby falling a sleep to Gunn's soothing voice. Smile with a Celtic remake of Frosty the Irish Snowman. Laugh along to Gunn's satirical Celtic humor with Celtic Christmas Elf and The Scottish King of Christmas. Then celebrate Christmas with Rie Sheridan Rose's soon to be classic “Let's Have a Celtic Christmas” and Nancy Flynn's hobbit Christmas anthem, Christmas in the Shire.

There's music for every Celt. It's fun music that reminds you of Bing Crosby, Irish Rovers, and Celtic Thunder. This album will bring your Irish or Scottish family closer together.

credits

released November 21, 2014

Musicians: Marc Gunn: autoharp; Samantha Gillogly: fiddle; Nathan Deese: whistles, bass, bkg vocals; Meghan Garland: cello; Christine Kreb: flute; singers: Ted Mack, Nancy Flynn, Christine Krebs, Bernadette Crumb, Jo Lynn Navarre, Ann Brown, Diann Marksberry, Julie Siefke, Amy Johnson, Sharon Claire Mitchell, Jessica Grimwood.

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Marc Gunn Atlanta, Georgia

Marc Gunn is a rhythm and folk musician inspired by Celtic culture, science fiction, fantasy, and cats--Sci F'Irish music.

He breathes new life into the autoharp, which continues to surprise musical veterans and fans alike for its unique sound and spirited energy. It’s like a satirical jam session between The Clancy Brothers and Weird Al Yankovic.
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