Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts

Just to let you know, I don't have anything against Bing Crosby. As a matter of fact, sometime during the season I intend to view the movie White Christmas (there are a couple of scenes toward the end that just get me every year), and if you'll click this link there's a superb treatment of Bing singing his signature Christmas song, but . . .

I've developed a dear place in my heart for the intro to the song that identifies it ("Ba-doobie doo, Dit dit doo da dit"), and if you'll watch today's video, you'll see that these guys haven't lost a bit of their step as their hair cottoned up:

This week I'll focus on some of the songs that have become more or less a bit of a tradition around the Christmas season, and then next week we'll move on to the more devotional-esque music for Christmas as we approach the day.

Today's song is one that has become a tradition for me. Although hundreds of different versions are out there, including Bob & Doug McKenzie's version from "Great White North" and one with John Denver 
and the Muppets, my favorite has to be this rendition from SNC:

Since the kiddos and I discovered this old beauty a couple of years ago, it has become one of our Christmas-time fun favorites. For the video, I found a clip of Gayle Peevey appearing on Ed Sullivan's show back in the day. Hope you like it:

Regardless of the myths and legends that have been built up over the years concerning St. Nicholas. The character he has become almost overshadows the One for whom Christmas is celebrated. (A tragedy that St. Nick himself would not have enjoyed or accepted.) At any rate, one of the more popular of the songs in the "fun" category that has gotten lots of play time is "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." It has been recorded by a wide variety of artists from Fred Astaire to Justin Bieber. I was sorely tempted to embed the newer version by Michael Buble (affectionately known as "Michael Bubble"), but decided I'd rather rock with the Boss. So, I hope you enjoy:

Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting some of the favorite songs of the Christmas season. Decidedly some of them will be a little less about what the season really is, but what we've allowed to creep in (and some of the stuff is rather creepy). As we get closer, I will be posting more Christmas-appropriate songs. But to begin, I thought we could still have some fun.

So, let's start with the 'Singing Cowboy's' version of "Rudolph":

So, "AAARRRR"

And now, for something completely different:

It's National Cheesecake Day. Yes, I said "cheese" cake, not "beef" cake. So the question remains -- did you have a slice of heaven today?

May is a month chock-full of holidays (real or perceived), so I thought I'd just wish 'em all at once and get it over with:

Happy May Day! If you enjoy this Spring festival then dance and sing.

Happy Prayer Day! This Thursday people will gather all over the United States for the National Day of Prayer (find a moment to add your prayers for our nation if you desire)

Happy Mother's Day! This year it falls on May 13--so you still have time to do something special for your Mom (or in memory of her).

Happy Memorial Day! On the 28th remember all those who have made it possible to live in the freedom that we have in the USA by giving their lives for our freedom.

Since we're getting a jump start, for all my friends of Mexican extract: Happy Uno de Mayo! (daily you can add a number until we get to Cinco).

Have a happy holiday on whatever holiday you celebrate.

Funny Father Fadalador
Did some funny jigs.
One, two, three, and one, two, four;
Went the funny jigs.

Funny Father Fankyfoo
Did some funny jigs.
Five, six, seven, and five, six, eight;
Went the funny jigs.

(Age 9)

There was a gracious king,
He had a funny ping.
     Dee Doo;
   Dee Doh;
The gracious King of Hing.


There was a lovable king,
Instead of a queen, he'd a quing.
     Dee Doo;
   Dee Doh;
The lovable King of Hing.


There was a great king,
And he could really sing.
     Dee Doo;
   Dee Doh;
The very great King of Hing.

(age 8)

Whatever traverses the mind of a child can be found here. And still we don't understand it.

April is national poetry month. So, I thought I'd dig into the old (really old) bag of tricks and regale you with some of my past attempts. I'm starting with the very early (very early) stuff, so don't be to harsh in your criticism.

Here is an example of some of the literary genius you will find at least on the first few days:

Big and fat!
Like a rat;
It's fun to guess!
Your [sic] the bes' 
A hog's right!

(age 8)

You will notice that at eight years old and in the third grade I didn't have enough understanding of contractions to know that there was a difference between "your" and "you're".

So, grab some of your third-grade poems and join me in the comments section to celebrate National Poetry Month!

You've seen those SAB comparisons, here are a couple of mine:
 
Charles Stanley,                              Don Knotts,
noted Baptist Preacher                    noted Comedian

 
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.,                         Benjie Potter,
noted writer and agnostic                not so noted Baptist Preacher and writer and avid reader.

We've been having a sneak preview of the Spring that is to come, and it looks pretty nice. This year as we celebrate the first day of Spring, those of us who live in IL are honored to participate in an exercise in futility (aka Presidential primary races). (Pardon my soapbox, you can skip the next few lines if you like.)You have to choose a side--even though you don't like any of the sides--and if your voice is to be heard mark the name of some person whose been harrassing you via mailbox, television and telephone for the last week just so you'll recognize their name. [News flash to politicians: the more you stuff my mailbox, rundown your opponent with slur ads, and robocall my house, the less likely I am to like--let alone vote for--you. Leave us alone, talk about actual issues in the debates (there were MORE than enough of those for the Republican wannabes this year), and let us think. We are, after all, Americans who can think for themselves!] (soapbox over, you can start reading again)

Anyway. According to the people who know (or who think they know everything, at any rate) have informed me that today is the first day of Spring. So, slow down. Pause to smell the coffee. And let the wonder of another day wash over you.

Today's Valentine for my lovely (blushing) Bride is one that I found as Doctor Who fan. As a matter of fact, my kids love the Doctor's version of this little ditty. It is part of the "one-hit wonders" cadre--you know, songs like "American Pie" that really hit it big, but the artist never really got noticed aside from that. This one is the hit of The Proclaimers, and I'm following it up with a re-make by Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman (the video is not me and the Bride, but it's pretty good). For you, My Love--the sentiment is very real. Happy Valentine's Day.

When I wake up yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you
When I go out yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you

If I get drunk yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I haver yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door

When I'm working yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's working hard for you
And when the money comes in for the work I'll do
I'll pass almost every penny on to you

When I come home yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow old well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door

When I'm lonely yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man whose lonely without you
When I'm dreaming yes I know I'm gonna dream
Dream about the time when I'm with you.

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/

Bubba had to have a breathing treatment as Christmas Day wound down. Aunt Liz got a video of his demeanor during the process:

While we listen to more of Bing's best Christmas, I debated on whether to post the Carol Richards version or the Rosemary Clooney version. Check out who won the debate as you enjoy "Silver Bells"

As with many of the old stand-bys this song has a little-known intro (that's even missing from today's video). For those of you who are interested here it is:

Christmas makes you feel emotional,
It may bring parties or thoughts devotional,
Whatever happens or what may be
This is what Christmastime means to me . . .

Yes, you heard me right a couple of days ago. I did say that Bing Crosby is Mr. Christmas. Since he bolstered his career on Christmas music and movies, I thought we'd have a little fun over the next few days and hear a few of my favorites. Why don't we start with "Jingle Bells"? When he sings it with the Andrews Sisters it just swings!