Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas: For just one day my cares are washed away



                  Mary's Boy Child - Jose Marie Chan (Filipino Singer)

 Christmas Letter One:
Here's a Christmas letter from a good friend who was my NZ university classmate. She has contributed much to this blog. Thanks Lin for your thoughts on Yuletide 2015.

 Andy, 

 I truly support your blog which does a great job in bringing together people of like-minded interests and also in passing down a legacy to the generations after the 60's.

 It's the time of year again to be reminded of the reason for the season - to say a word of thanks for the gift of life.

 Time also to look back to what's gone on before - had it been smooth sailing or had there been bumps along the way.

 I look back at 2015 and know I had groused a lot at the inconsiderate crowds at public places/events; the careless treatment of the natural environment.

 I need to be less irked about these issues.  Often I look to the local arts theatre to bring cheer to my soul.  The very talented and creative artistes in their song/verse regale me with their wit and humour on the latest goings-on in the country and I leave the shows with a lighter heart.

 If for just one day in the year, my cares are washed away, then Christmas has played its part well with its widely known/sung songs - be they religious or secular - Silent Night, Holy Night; Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

 But there are 12 days to the season just as there are 15 days to Chinese New Year.

 We sing the ever popular, "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge on a pear tree..."

 Now there is a Singapore or rather a *peranakan version by Alvin Oon, "On the first day of Christmas, my **sayang gave to me..."

#A main wayang music CD 
2 chinchalok 
3 kerongsang 
4 buah keluak 
5 box of cherki
6 gula melaka
7 sambal belachan
8 kasut manek
9 kain sarong
10 otah otah
11 sets of chongkak
12 ondeh ondeh. 
So I hope to laugh all the way to 2016. "And, Joy to the world..."

 CYLin.
December 24th, 2015,
Singapore.

 *    Peranakan = A Straits-born (Straits Settlement) Chinese.
**  Sayang = Love (noun/verb).
#   Perhaps another posting to explain?

 Please read the first Christmas letter in the earlier posting below entitled: X'mas Greeting - Standing At The Gate Of The Year.
                   '12 Days of Baba Nyonya Christmas' by Alvin Oon.
Images: Google.
You Tube Video: Alvin Oon.      Read letter 2 below or click 'Home' :
at

35 comments:

  1. Linda24.12.15

    Beautiful post, Andy. Merry Christmas to you! :)

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  2. LIM KUAN MIN24.12.15

    Hi Andy, Shared the sentiments and thoughts expressed in YL's letter. Xmas is a time for sharing and reflecting on the spiritual meaning of this joyous event for all Christians. May I wish you and your loved ones abundance of blessings on this joyous occasion.

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  3. HAPPY TAY (VANCOUVER, CANADA)24.12.15

    Thanks Andy, Have a great Christmas n enjoy all the food, wine, good company n merriment! Remember, use the time to enjoy the life, n use the life to enjoy your time. God Bless.

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  4. ZAINAL ABIDIN (LEADER, BASSIST, 'THE DUKES')24.12.15

    Good morning. Have a happy holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©24.12.15

    Thanks Linda. From you that's a compliment. You're an artist yourself.

    And thanks to the other earlier replies. Let's give the credit to CY for the lovely post.

    Merry Xmas.

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  6. EDWIN GOH24.12.15

    Christmas time an occasion to remember the greatest gift God's gift of love.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous24.12.15

    Hello Andy,

    This is well written article during this season.

    May I send to you and all supporters of this blog the festive season greetings for Xmas and for the New Year ahead. On closer reflection for 2015, we have had many activities and celebrations for SG50 year. This year we saw many music performances, shows and concerts by our local musicians. Of worthy mention is the series of Rollin Good Times shown on our National TV. Let us hope that Mediacorp will continue to support local talents in their quest to promote local music.


    Let us continue to rock and enjoy our silver and golden years in 2016 and many years to come.

    Best of regards,

    Fabian Foo

    ReplyDelete
  8. YUSNOR EF24.12.15

    Hullo my dear Friend Happy Christmas to you and family and A Happy New Year . Hope for a better future and a stronger relationship.

    ReplyDelete
  9. PETER CHAN24.12.15

    Wishing you all the treasures of Christmas... The warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

    Peter thinks of you...

    ReplyDelete
  10. ES24.12.15

    Thank you!!! You spend a lot of time viewing videos to come up with the best ones? I'm thankful for your research efforts! See you and R @ Christmas service.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown24.12.15

    The importance of Christmas cannot be over-emphasized. It divides the history of mankind. From B.C (before Christ) to A.D (in the Year of the Lord).
    The commercial facet of Christmas is often over stressed to the advantage of businesses. But the real meaning of Christmas is in its spiritual facet. One either understand the depth of this meaning, or not at all! One does not choose God. God chose us!

    There must be at least a million people somewhere out there in this world who would gladly give everything they own to spend Christmas in Singapore. To be free to celebrate one's personal belief and to be with friends, families and loved ones. Those who dont see this as a blessing are spiritually blind!! Indeed, there is none so blind as he who would not SEE.

    Merry Christmas everyone! God bless!

    ReplyDelete
  12. JIMMY CHNG (THE DECIBALS BAND)24.12.15

    Hi Andy,
    two nice reads, courtesy of William Meyer and CYLin for the Christmas season. Thanks for posting them on your wonderful blog.

    CYLin's mention of "careless treatment of the natural environment" somehow reminds me of the song "Down By The River" by Albert Hammond.

    Wishing you and all readers of your blog "A Merry Christmas"

    ReplyDelete
  13. BRIGITTE ROZARIO (WRITER/EDITOR 3age)24.12.15

    Hi Andy,

    Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2016.

    I hope you are well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©24.12.15

    Lin's message has attracted a lot of readers. Shot up to 5th position within the hour after it was posted.

    Thanks Lin and all readers and those who have commented.

    ReplyDelete
  15. JOEY KOH24.12.15

    Dear brother Andrew, wishing ou and your family a Wonderful Holiday Season and New Year of Happiness and Health.

    Warmest Greetings.

    ReplyDelete
  16. FACEBOOK ANDY24.12.15

    To:
    DICK YIP
    LINDA TAN
    SITA ASHRI IMMAKULATA
    LITTLE ONG
    TIN LEONG LIM
    PHILIP CHEW
    JIMMY PRESLEE
    JALANI MOHAMED
    RANDY LEE KENG
    PRISCILLA GEORGE
    NINA CHEWY
    YEN CHOW
    MALVIN CHUA
    TOH RICHARD
    AARON CHOO
    BELINDA POH
    FLORA TOH

    Thanks for Christmas Wishes and Facebook support.

    ReplyDelete
  17. C De S24.12.15

    Nice, Mr Andy, that letter written to you by a fan of your music?

    ReplyDelete
  18. FL25.12.15

    Hi, Andy, thanks for sharing Ms Lin's letter about her thoughts and spirit about X'mas.
    Also, I am sending this season's greetings to you & loved ones, and to all the visitors to your blog, a merry, merry Christmas ! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. EA25.12.15

    Dear Andy,

    Thank you for your well written email.

    I'll do my best to contribute and hope it will meet your expectation.
    Need your guidance and pointers.

    Regards
    Edited.

    ReplyDelete
  20. RONNIE SEE25.12.15

    Dear Andy,

    Thank you for the 20th December email. Sorry for the delayed response as I was engaged.

    Condolence to Mr. Tan Swee Leong’s family on his recent passing, the music circle had lost another good man!

    Keep well and wishing you and family “A Joyous Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year 2016 and beyond!

    Have a nice evening.

    Warmest Regards,

    ReplyDelete
  21. ALLAN THOMPSON25.12.15

    Dear Andy,
    I hope you and your family are enjoying your Christmas. We are having our usual quiet Christmas and some nostalgic seasonal music. The weather is not very seasonal, being mild and windless...

    Bless you, my friend.
    Best wishes for 2016,
    Allan.

    Edited.

    ReplyDelete
  22. RICKY CHNG25.12.15

    Thanks for the good wishes. May the Festive Mood of Xmas continue to the new year with good health and happiness for you and your family too. Cheers for the better 2016 :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©25.12.15

    My thanks to FB supporters, Joey, C De S, FL, EA, Ronnie, Rickie and Allan for the good wishes. Appreciate the time you all took to write in.

    Again, a Merry Xmas and a bright and peaceful New Year to all.

    ReplyDelete
  24. WILFRED LIM25.12.15

    Merry Xmas Happy New Year 2016.

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  25. EDDIE WEE25.12.15

    Merry Xmas

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  26. BIBI/ALVIN GOH25.12.15

    Hi Andy n Regina wishing u n family a Blessed Xmas :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. YEN CHOW25.12.15

    may you have a blessed christmas season - love, joy and peace.

    ReplyDelete
  28. MERLIN LIM25.12.15

    MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016

    ReplyDelete
  29. LAM JOON KONG25.12.15

    JINGLE BELLS: MERRY CHRISTMAS

    ReplyDelete
  30. GEORGE YAN25.12.15

    Merry Christmas boss.

    ReplyDelete
  31. SUNNY WEE25.12.15

    Thanks Andy. Merry Xmas n Happy New Yr to u and family.

    ReplyDelete
  32. DR. A. K.25.12.15

    Blessed Christmas, Andrew

    ReplyDelete
  33. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©25.12.15

    If I missed you out forgive me :-)

    ReplyDelete
  34. RONNIE SEE26.12.15

    Andy,
    A lot of people, across the spectrum from musicians to readers, should be thanking you for all the great work you’d done for the Singapore 60's music scene, I wish to thank you for your great work which is by no means an easy feat, time (the most precious) and effort (in putting everything together) require dedication, contribution and sacrifices, etc! For the love of the country’s music history, you have put into so much, that’s laudable!

    I said it again and again, without your dedication and contribution to the Singapore 60's music trajectory, it would not have been encapsulated this far.

    Thanks & Warmest Regards

    ReplyDelete
  35. san30.12.15

    Hi Andy,

    Thanks for the video. I am not a fan of Quentin but have seen some of his shows. As you know, I am a fan of Roy Orbison and this is one of my favourite Roy Orbison songs. It is nice to see the video on utube.

    Cheers!

    Ref: Roy Orbison Song, "There Won't Be Many Coming Home'

    ReplyDelete