Wednesday, December 17, 2014

The Reason For This Season: From A Believer

 

                             Oh Christmas Tree - Boney M - Video: samo kriterij                            

When Carols Became A Beacon:

Hey Andy, 

Your posting on 'trees' comes timely to help me keep my word to think about a Christmas write. I think of: 

                Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, 
               Of all the trees so lovely (2x)
               Each year you bring to  me delight
               Meaning in the Christmas night
               Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, 

               Of all the trees so lovely.

              Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, 

              With faithful leaves  unchanging (2x)
              Your boughs are green in summer's glow
              And do not fade in winter's snow
              Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
              With faithful leaves unchanging.


O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) is a German Christmas song. Based on a traditional folk song, it became associated with the Christmas tree by the early 20th century and sung as a Christmas carol.
 

Boney M's version sets the mood for the season.  This group sings my favourite carols: Joy To The World; The First Noel; The Little Drummer Boy, with such soul that they truly lift up one's spirit.

barbarah.wordpress.com
For a believer, the reason for this season is the Lord Jesus Christ. As a child in a mission school, I learnt to sing, Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so; What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear....  The lyrics didn't leave much impression on me then... just enjoyed the tuneful melody.
 

It is only these last 27 years that I look back and realise it is truly an Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a child like me...And to think that this was written by an ex-slave trader.
 

Well, Andy, Christmas is round the corner,  Feliz Navidad (Boney M)
Here's to a blessed 2015 to you and your family.  Keep the blog going.


A special Christmas posting from CYLin.

Images: Google.

                  Boney M - Feliz Navidad - Video: The Jack Earth.
  
Feliz Navidad is written in 1970 by the Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Jose Feliciano.

             A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. 
December 2014 - January 2015. 

  
Promoting Trees On Jan's T. 

SLIP NOTE

Joe Cocker Is Dead: 22nd December, 2014:
Joe Cocker (1944-2014), who made the Beatles song, With A Little Help From My Friend, into a soul anthem had passed on. He was 70 years young. His other hit covers included, The Letter, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, You Are So Beautiful and many more. Altogether he recorded 23 studio albums and 40 albums. Born in Sheffield, he lived in Colorado, in the US.
With Jennifer Warnes, Up Where We Belong (An Officer And A Gentleman), became hit number one, winning a Grammy and an Academy Award in 1983. One of the most humble entertainers, Joe Cocker was made an OBE in 2011. 

RIP good sir. You live forever as a 60s rock superstar.

43 comments:

Toh Nguyen said...

Every year, when Christmas comes, i often teach my students Christmas and New Year songs. Now listening to these songs makes me remember my students and my classes. There are some feelings that cannot be described by words. Time passes by and another year comes!

You tube

Ollie Anderson said...

Been listening to this since i was a little girl. Its a classic.

JOE NG said...


my childhood christmas title in my preteen years and i m 46 now! merry christmas and a happy new year with God's Love from singapore!!!

REG said...

Merry Christmas Andy Young. You're hot!

bazwalker1 said...

Hi Andy, it's time to get the VINYL albums out of Christmas with Chet Atkins and Cristmas with The Everly Brothers for their once or twice a year airing.

Keep Rocking into 2015 also ALL you Singaporeans.

Best wishes and regards

Barry

JAMES SEAH said...

Season's Greetings, Andy.

Happy Singapore 60s Pop blogging with music to keep you strong and growing like Johnny Walker.

Cheers!
Thimbuktu

OLIVER BALASINGAM said...

Andy

Same to you and family.

Regards

Sent from my iPhone

Freddie Siow said...

Same to u and ur family. Keep well in both health n wealth.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you my friends for the good wishes. Glad you didn't spam my blog.

DANNY KOH PIANIST said...

Thank you Andy for your Xmas greetings. The same to you and your loved ones.

Take care

Always,
Danny
Sent from my iPhone


RICHARD TOH said...

Blessed Christmas to you, Andy Lim !!!

Allan Thompson UK said...

Dear Andy,
Hope you and your family have a very Happy Christmas with plenty of good music. Take care and God bless.

GURU HAPPY said...

Thanks Andy.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you and your Loved Ones a "Merry, Joyful and Blessed Christmas"

Cheers,

Happy*;) winking

FACEBOOK COMMENTS said...

Thanks to Dick Yip and Cyline Koh for Christmas Greetings from FB

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Appreciate the Christmas Greetings from all of you.

So many friends from afar too.

Thanks very much.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

I guess it was a search and one beacon was pop songs from the 70s, especially Boney M's that led the way?

Wilf n Family said...

Wishing you and family A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.

Paula Brown said...

I've had this song going though my head for WEEKS now. What is it that so touches my spirit? Blessings, and Happy Hanukkah too. From BC, Canada.

sakusia said...

My favorite Christmas album and the best one in my opinion. The best song on this album but there are many catchy hits. Classic Christmas tunes combined with modern and melodic beats. Reminds me of a happy childhood.

denny5545 said...

Boney M were NOT Dutch... Liz Mitchell was born in Jamaica, moved to England and became famous in Germany. Marcia Barrett was born in Jamaica, moved to England and became famous in Germany, Maizie Williams was born in the West Indies and moved to Germany, Bobby Farrell was born in Aruba, lived "Briefly" in the Netherlands, then moved to Germany and became famous. That is the only connection with the Netherlands...

FL said...

Hi, Andy, here's wishing you a merry Christmas, and a happy new year 2015.
Hope to read more interesting articles from you in the coming years ! Warmest regards.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks FL for your best wishes. And Wilf n Family too.

I hope I can contribute some more next year but grateful if you can provide comments too. Helps to keep the blog going.

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2015 to you and your family.

LIM KUAN MIN said...

Have a joyous Xmas and a great 2015 ahead! :-) :-)

MAJORIE CHIEW (STAR NEWS MALAYSIA) said...

Merry Xmas to you too.

E said...

May you experience the joy, peace and love this Christmas.

BRIGITTE ROZARIO (STAR NEWS MALAYSIA ONLINE) said...



Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family, Andy.

DANNY KOH PIANIST said...

Merry Xmas to you and your loved ones and may the New Year be a positive, successful and happy one for you.

Always

A.K. said...

A very blessed Christmas to you and family too!

JERRY FERNANDEZ said...

I am taking this moment to wish each and everyone of you n love ONES. BLESSED XMAS N A GREAT NEW YEAR. MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS N ASPIRATIONS B FULFILLED BY THE BLESSINGS OF OUR LORD.
CHEERS N GODBLESS.

C d S said...

You too Mr Andy, have a good time with the family!

RICHARD TAN said...

Hi Andy. Merry Christmas n a happy new year 2015 Tks n rgds from Richard tan

FREDDIE SIOW said...

Let's catch up after the season and share more. Meanwhile u too take care. Hv a blessed Christmas filled with the love of Christ for u n ur family.

CHEN HUI SHI FB said...

Merry Xmas Andy Lim.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Enjoyed church this morning. Singing out loud the beautiful Xmas hymns n carols. More joyous than any stage performances by pop bands. :-)

Thank you all for best wishes. Truly appreciate.

RANDY LEE FB (STYLERS) said...

Hi Andy Lim,
Seasons Greetings to you and your family... All the best for 2015...

I.M. said...

Wishing you a happy new year.

IVAN CHEW THE ROAMING LIBRARIAN said...

Thanks Andy. Merry Christmas to you!

J.BENG said...

SEASON'S GREETING TO YOU AND ALL YOUR LOVED ONES TOO.

J. LEE said...

Wish you n family a great holiday season n also another blessed year in 2015.

Y.S.CHYE said...

Thanks, brother Andrew. Wish you & family a Merry X'mas.

D. WONG said...

Andrew - same to you and fly - Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy Healthy 2015. Cheers!

anonymous said...

Much Quoted Quote About Joe Cocker:

“Joe was a lovely northern lad who I loved a lot, and like many people, I loved his singing.

I was especially pleased when he decided to cover ‘With a Little Help From My Friends.’ I remember him and the producer coming round to the studio and Saville Row and playing me what they recorded.

It was just mind-blowing. He totally turned the song into a soul anthem, and I was forever grateful to him for doing that - Paul McCartney.” (Edited).

From Newspapers around the world.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

A video Christmas Greeting from Larry Lai and Audie Ng.

Thank to both of you and all others who did the same.