Come they told me
A new born King to see
Our finest gifts we bring
To lay before the King
This is to honor him
When we come
It is the holiday season once again. Let us put behind the trials and tribulations we have endured this past year due to the Covid-19 contagion. And get ready to welcome a brighter and better one ahead. After all new life always begins in the dark.
It is also the time of giving. What can be a greater joy than sharing and giving? As a musician you have something special to give, other than a store-bought present wrapped in a nice box. Like the Little Drummer Boy who played his drums for Infant Christ, you can share your gift of music with everyone near and dear and fill their hearts with happiness.
We share below our Top 5 favorites of all time. All these Classic Christmas songs with lyrics are available on our Manoké app. If you are a beginner and are just learning to play your guitar or your piano or your drums or your horns don’t worry! You can play-along or even sing-along to these tunes, record them and share with your friends and family! The list below is actually in no particular order so pick your favorite(s) and make your own Play ‘Em List!
Number One: The first Noël
One of the earliest known traditional songs according to Wikipedia. Noël in French means Christmas.
The first Noel the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay,
In fields where they,
Laying their sheep
On a cold winter’s night
That was so deep
Noël, Noël, Noël
A relaxed carol traditionally set to D major scale with a 3/4 time signature. As you play the song you can visualize a cold winter night in a vast field where a special baby is being born.
Number Two: Mary Boy’s Child
This song is an example of why Christmas is celebrated around the world with its own culturally interpretation. Originally composed as a party song set to a Calypso rhythm; hence this song is also called as a Calypso Carol!!. It was later hugely popularized by the famous pop-group Boney-M with their own flavor! Check out this version which has a Calypso feel:
https://soundcloud.com/henrikhorge/marys-boy-child
Then you can check out Raja Martin‘s arrangement in Manoké and try it with a calypso beat!
Number Three: Little Drummer Boy
The song that captures the essence of the Christmas season. Has numerous interpretations from traditional to pop, from hard rock to Justin Bieber. An easy play along version is available in Manoké under the Christmas Carols album arranged by Raja Martin. But of course enjoy the all-time favorite version by the evergreen Boney-M also.
Number Four: Joy to the world
Joy to the world then we sing
Let the men their songs employ
Joy to the world then we sing
And repeat the sounding joy
According to Wikipedia, the song was first published in 1719 and is based on Psalm 98. Also a musician’s favorite an interpretation of this this song can be found in every country.
Number Five: White Christmas
This may seem like a surprise entry to some. But if we simply look at numbers, according to Guinness Book of World Records, Bing Crosby’s version of this song is the best selling single in the United States and around the world, selling more than 50 million copies! Enjoy listening to this version first here:
https://soundcloud.com/christmas2011playlist/white-christmas-bing-crosby-1
And then find the easy play-along version arranged by Raja Martin and John Paul
Now you may ask what about the ever-popular Silent Night, Santa Claus Comes to Town or Jingle Bell Rock or Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer etc etc? Well all of these songs are of course wonderful to listen to, play along and improvise. An easy to play version of all of these are also available on Manoké. So go ahead and check them out. Make them part of your Christmas Play ‘Em list. Record. If you want to quickly know how to record using Manoké check out this short video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aAj96qQK0A
Merry Christmas and best wishes for a year of sparkling health and happiness to you and your family from the Manoké team!
