My growing-up Christmases were filled with music on the stereo, piano, sax, recorder, guitar and in the voices of my parents and siblings. There were carols in schools, stores, parties, churches and community centers; and even in the neighborhood as we neighbors sang to each other.There were all kinds of music – jubilant, tender, sacred, mysterious, and just good fun.

Here I continue this musical tradition with a Christmas collection from an assortment of countries, cultures and even centuries. What a wonderful time I’ve had gathering, singing and producing these numbers, joining with many talented friends to create this collection. As you listen and sing along it is my hope that you will also find pleasure and inspiration.

1. O Come all Ye Faithful

Originally written in Latin, this carol is usually sung triumphantly with a group or congregation. But how often do we sing in a choir? So I decided that, after all, there is a place for a more intimate point of view.

2. I Saw Three Ships

This English folk carol is thought to come from the 15^th century and is based on a legend traced back to the 12^th century when three ships brought the relics of the purported Wise Men to Koln, Germany. The "three ships" refers to the belief that there were three Wise Men — which comes from the number of gifts, although the number of Wise Men has been estimated from two to twelve over the centuries.

3. Rise Up Shepherd and Follow

As I’ve sung this evocative traditional spiritual, I’ve had the insight that sometimes we all need to forget our “flocks and herds” and rise up and follow.

4. Good Christian Men Rejoice Harp Interlude

The original lyrics of this song are credited to Heinrich Suese, circa 1328, and were put to a German or Latin tune of the same era. According to folklore, Seuse heard angels sing these words and joined them in a dance of worship.

5.Away in the Manger

This 8^th century Irish melody resonates in my bones, so I decided to put these beloved traditional words with this ancient melody for a new perspective.

6. What Child is This Harp Interlude

William C. Dix wrote the Christmas lyrics to this 16^th century English melody.

8. The Holly Berry

From the Oxford Book of Carols, this folk song is an example of how people turn commonplace items into symbols of Christ. The melody and the first 3 verses were first transcribed in the 19th century from the singing of a villager in St. Day Gwennap Parish, Cornwall.

9. Christmas for Cowboys By John Denver

My dad made his living in business, but in his heart he was an outdoorsman and a cowboy. He and Mom started taking us six kids camping when we were toddlers, and to this day all six of us escape to wild places as often as we can. Dad had a big chestnut quarter horse named El Moro, and riding the open country by his side on a Buckskin named Carmelita turned me into a cowgirl that’s still alive in me today. I think that’s why this song is one of my favorites.

10. Some Children See Him By Alfred S. Burt

Working in humanitarian projects around this world, I’ve made friends with children of vastly different customs, cultures and color combinations. No matter how different we seem on the outside, on the inside we all love just the same.

11. O Come O Come Immanuel

This 17^th century French hymn has been associated with Christmas even though the traditional words are not Christmas-like. But the melody is beautiful and the way it is sung directly to Immanuel speaks to me. Here you hear many of own lyrics written to be more congruent with the season.

12. Lo How a Rose Harp Interlude

This anonymous jewel is of late 16^th century German origin.

13. We Will Rock You

This is one version of a sweet traditional Czech carol.

14. What Songs Were Sung By John Jacob Niles

Mr. Niles collected folk music and wrote his own songs during the first half of the 1900’s in and around his home in Kentucky. He is probably best known for his song, “I Wonder as I Wander.” This is my favorite of his works; one that I used to sing along to my mother’s exquisite piano accompaniment.

15. Angels We Have Heard on High Harp Interlude

The words of this song are based on a traditional French carol.

16. Christmas is a Comin’

I can still hear my family singing a jolly rendition of these playful words adapted from an old English poem. Here you hear a happy group of friends and family.

17. I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Buck Ram, Kim Gannon and Walter Kent.

This is for all you far from home this Christmas. (I thought this needed a second verse, so wrote these additional words.)

18. Silent Night By Father Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber

This little song that has impacted most of the Christian world.

19.Merry Christmas Round

My family ended our door-to-door caroling concerts with this delightful morsel as we bid our neighbors a musical Merry Christmas!