Welcome to Winter; Merry Christmas; Some Favorites

A conversation among Whalers
jimh
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Welcome to Winter; Merry Christmas; Some Favorites

Postby jimh » Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:55 pm

Winter officially began a few days ago. Christmas arrives in two days. My very best wishes to all Boston Whaler boaters who visit here.

I really like this time of year: the days finally start to get longer. And I love the music.

My suggestion for the most appropriate Christmas carol for boaters: "I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In."
Lyrics: I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

The melody is quite unusual.
Cf.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Saw_Three_Ships

My favorite church hymn: "The Mariner's Hymn"
Lyrics: Oh hear us, father, when we pray to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

Cf.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Father,_Strong_to_Save

My favorite Christmas poem: "A Child's Christmas in Wales," by Dylan Thomas.
It uses a number of sea-related figures of speech, and it essentially began the spoken-word recording industry in 1952. Dylan Thomas's voice is wonderful.
Cf.: https://www.loc.gov/programs/static/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/CHILD%27S%20CHRISTMAS--FINAL.pdf

My favorite Christmas orchestral music: J. S. Bach's "Christmas Oratorio", particularly
Part 1: For the First Day of Christmas; The Chorus.
It is very frequently performed around the world at Christmas. The amazing aspect: Bach only conducted it once--in 1734. After that it fell into obscurity and was not performed again for 123-years, only being revived in 1857. Today there are dozens and dozens of recordings available. It's sung in German--but it's easy German.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Oratorio

Another great song--not really related to Christmas but in the modern day secular holiday motif has become very popular--is Sleighride. It has the hardest lyrics to remember. Another bit of trivia: the orchestral work was written first, and then the lyrics added several years later.

Okay, as long as I am on this topic, I will mention two other somewhat less-known Christmas carols: Good King Wenceslas and In the Bleak Mid-winter. Why these: they both have a limited vocal range, and that means I can actually sing them.

Have a great Christmas. May Santa bring you a new 345 CONQUEST--or whatever new Boston Whaler you'd love to have.

rtk
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Re: Welcome to Winter; Merry Christmas; Some Favorites

Postby rtk » Mon Dec 24, 2018 10:59 am

Merry Christmas Jim- hope you, your family and the rest of the Whaler community has a great holiday! Great tunes appreciate that.

Here's a newly favorite tune of mine, "Rolling Down to Maui"--not a Christmas theme but a winter whaling season theme. I can't stop singing it. and I have been enjoying the other tunes by this great singer, Stan Rogers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPYAZUcohmw

Rich

jimh
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Re: Welcome to Winter; Merry Christmas; Some Favorites

Postby jimh » Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:51 pm

RICH--thanks for that great tune. I just bought it on iTunes.

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Dutchman
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Re: Welcome to Winter; Merry Christmas; Some Favorites

Postby Dutchman » Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:11 am

I spent Christmas day in Port Townsend, Washington--what a great area. Fellow Whalers stationed there are lucky.
Hope each of you had a great happy holiday and best wishes for a healthy and great 2019 boating year.
EJO
"Clumsy Cleat"look up what it means
50th edition 2008 Montauk 150, w/60HP Mercury Bigfoot