The Written Word: Rafe Mair Dec. 13th

By Rafe Mair

  The great songs of Christmas open a floodgate of memories.

The effervescence happiness of Joy To The World … the hearty O Come All Ye Faithful which must be sung in Latin to be done properly … the soothing strains of Silent Night, Holy Night which even seems so melodic when sung in German, not a melodic language.

There were my Moms two favourites, Once in Royal David’s City and better still, O Little Town of Bethlehem, especially the Mario Lanza … my annual annoyance when they played We Three Kings, not a carol but an Epiphany hymn … When Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night which was sung by kids as While Shepherds Washed Their Sox by Night … and O Holy Night and for me it had to be Nat King Cole .. and speaking of whom, there was The Christmas Song written by Mel Torme and sung by King Cole … and, of course, White Christmas by Bing Crosby.

I no longer have the faith of my childhood … but the music of Christmas always reminds me of the time I did.

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