[78-L] The Christmas Songs

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom" <nice_guy_with_an_mba at yahoo.com>
> --- On Fri, 12/18/09, Michael Biel <mbiel at mbiel.com> wrote:
> From: Michael Biel <mbiel at mbiel.com>
> Tom (no last name ever noted) wrote:
>> If I remember correctly, one of the very first popular secular Christmas
>> songs was the recording of "Winter Wonderland" by Ted Weems and his
>> Orchestra which, I believe, was released in the early 30's. I think it
>> made it to number two or three on the charts of that era.
> Neither "Winter Wonderland" nor "Jingle Bells" are "secular Christmas"
> songs. They are WINTER songs. Absolutely NOTHING to do with Christmas.
> NOTHING. Just like "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" which goes
> one step further into winter weather into seduction. 
> 
> For a song to be a "secular Christmas" song it would have to reference a
> non-religious aspect of Christmas such as perhaps one of the pagan
> aspects of the holiday such as the tree, or perhaps Christmas presents
> -- and I don't think that being able to keep a woman from going home is
> strictly even a "Christmas" present even if the assignation takes place
> on Christmas Eve or in a manger. 
> 
> Just because a song is played during the "Christmas season" doesn't make
> it a "Christmas song" secular or otherwise. After all, the season of
> Winter only begins four days before Christmas and continues for almost
> three months after the presents are unwrapped and the tree is dumped
> outside to be picked up in the trash. And the tribute to the Druids
> results in the coming of Spring, which would arrive anyway.
> 
Nonetheless, they effectively function as "Christmas songs!!" That is
to say they are VERY rarely heard or performed outside of the
"Christmas season" (whose definition itself is far from clear...and
is highly dependent on whether one is a retailer trying to get rid of
junk left over from previous months, or just an ordinary civilian?!)!
Further, they are usually included by "Christmas carolers" (insofar
as such still exist in "the Internet age...?!) in their "set lists!"

I'm sure that should I burst into "Jingle Bells" upon the first noticeable
snowfall (not until December 1 here in Toronto & district?!) I would
be eyed rather dubiously by others within hearing distance...?!

Steven C. Barr