Stuff I'm Listening To - Post Christmas Advent Edition - New Year's Eve

Artist: Die Toten Hosen
Lyrics by: Robbie Burns

Title: Auld Lang Syne

Lyrics(all):

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Why?: So what the heck is an 'Auld Lang Syne' means "Old Long Since". Other than that, I can't tell you much more about this song that nobody seems to know the words to. So for you, posted above, full Scottish lyrics. 

As I said before, Christmas lacks decent punk songs. So let's end/start off the year right, shall we because nothing says new year's like a German punk band belting out a Scottish song, right? 

Happy New Year's everyone! Thanks for sticking with me this long. Here's to the roaring 20's!

Stuff I'm Listening to - Post Christmas Advent - December 30th

Artist: King Curtis

Title: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Why?: Sometimes that soulful voice comes not so much from someone's voice, but purely from the instruments alone. This song sits quite nicely between Vince Guaraldi and Otis Redding on my seasonal playlist. I really have nothing more to add save that I only recently discovered this song and have immediately plunked it onto my playlist. Just sit back and enjoy. :)

Stuff I'm Listening To - Post Christmas Advent - December 26th

Artist: Blink 182

Title: Boxing Day

Favourite Lyrics: 
I'm empty like the day after Christmas

Why?: I actually had no idea there was any Boxing Day music until just now. So naturally, I'm sharing it with you. 

All I really remember about Boxing Day is how many stores have Boxing Day sales and the sheer volume of people and retailers who don't know what Boxing Day is about, hence the pair of boxing gloves you will often see paired with advertising in Canada and I assume other countries that still celebrate it. 

For the record, it has to do with gratuities for service people.

Stuff I'm Listening To - The Christmas Advent Edition - December 25th

Artist: Band Aid

Title: Do They Know It's Christmas?

Lyrics:
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

Why?: I'm not here to debate this song with anyone. For me, this list was about putting up songs that captured the spirit of Christmas, or were at least uplifting and/or hilarious. Something to make one happy, smile, laugh. This song immediately puts me firmly in the middle of the 80s, a time that was the summer of my life. I was young, innocent and having a blast. And then Bob Geldof comes along and makes us take note that not everyone is happy, and we should pay attention. People need help in the world. 

I know Bob has a general dislike of this song afterwards. But the main reason I love this song today is because it really did come from the heart. Bob saw a documentary about the famine in Ethiopia and was so moved, he did everything in his power to raise awareness and money to help.  

If you followed me out this far, I humbly thank you. It's been weird and wonderful putting this list together. I've discovered more than 25 songs and have tucked them away for next time. If there was anything I excluded that you thought should have come in, let me know. Perhaps I wasn't aware of it.  

I want to wish everyone who reads this a very Merry Christmas, happy holiday season, whatever it is you may celebrate (let me know if you want, what holidays you celebrate! I'm always interested in learning new things!). Best wishes for the new year.

Stuff That I'm Listening To - Christmas Advent Edition - December 24th

Artist: The Pogues

Title: Fairytale of New York

Lyrics:
I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
 
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

Why?: 
I think some of the best stories are told through songs.

This song has been a regular on my Christmas playlist since I first heard it many years ago. I admit, I didn't like the song at first. My tastes at the time were geared towards top 40 pop. This most certainly did not fit that criteria. But the song got it's fair share of airplay on MuchMusic and it grew on me. And I started to listen to the lyrics.

The great thing about this song is that it grabs you by the Christmas feels. It's sentimental and joyful and sad, but hopeful and full of love. Not the fairy tale happily ever after love either. The dirty, nitty gritty, feisty love. We fight, we make up. We love each other even when we hate each other. I fully admit I get a bit weepy at the above lyrics. 

Merry Christmas Eve! And Merry Christmas to future peeples on the other side of the planet.

Stuff I'm Listening To - The Christmas Advent Edition - December 23rd (Tibb's Eve)

Artist: Simani

Title: The Mummer's Song (Any Mummers Allowed In?)

Favourite Lyrics: 
Ah, be careful the lamp! Now hold on to the stove.
Don't you swing Granny hard, 'cause you know that she's old.
And never you mind how you buckles the floor
'Cause the mummers have danced here before.

Why?:
In Newfoundland, Tibb's eve is apparently the first day in the advent where you're allowed to have a drink. So naturally, the evening has been designated as a great excuse to get together and have a drink, or two, with friends, before settling in with family for Christmas.

Then there's mummers. Newfoundland is the only place in Canada that has mummers. Mummering, from my limited knowledge of my husband's motherland, is like Hallowe'en for adults. You get dressed in disguises and go to people's houses. You go in if the homeowners are ok with it, there's singing and dancing involved and free booze. It's basically a Kitchen Party. 

Happy Tibb's Eve to all my Newfie friends and family. Have a great fun and safe evening!
 

Stuff I'm Listening to Christmas Advent Edition - December 22nd

Artist: Sting

Title: Gabriel's Message

Favourite Lyrics:

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God, " she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name."
Most highly favored lady, Gloria, Gloria

Why?: I think Sting has a lovely voice and is just perfect for Christmas carols. Apologies for the lateness of this post. I'm still in Christmas crunch time. Such is my life. This song is beautiful and a good slow, reflective counterpoint to the last minute frantic-ness that is the Christmas season for me.