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12/20/2003 Entry: "Another Quiz"

Hard to believe the Friday Five this week, huh? I think my five questions were more thought provoking than "What's your favorite snack?" I also have another set of questions that are holiday related. The idea spawned after working with Paddy last weekend.


1. What's you favorite Christmas carol of a religious nature? If I had to pick just one, it would be "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman." But I also really like "How Great Our Joy" (alternately titled "While By My Sheep" from the first line), and Coventry Carol.

2. What's your favorite holiday song without overt religious themes? "The Christmas Song," otherwise known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire." Nat King Cole's version is the best imho, but The Velvet Fog's version is nice too. (After all, Mel Torme wrote the song, so his version should be good!) Mel used to remark on how that famous Christmas song was written by two Jews in the middle of July in California!

3. Have you ever been caroling? What did you think of it? My church frequently carols, and usually we take a fruit basket to shut-ins around the neighborhood. The group is usually comprised of non-singers, so we pick carols easy to sing. (See my favorites in #1? They were never on the list!) Usually "Silent Night," "Away in a Manager," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmsas" stuff. Then afterwards, to Ma's house for cocoa and cookies.

One other time I did carol with a local theater troupe that had some "singers" in it. The director picked "Good King Wenceslas" as a tune. It's a great tune, but at the time, very few of us knew the words. (I know the words now because Mel Torme--him again?--does an absolutely swinging version of it on the Telarc label.) She also picked "Fah Who Foraze," or "Welcome Christmas" from Dr. Seuss. Talk about not knowing the words!

4. Do you have any memories of participating in a Christmas pageant? I was in so many, that few really stand out. I do remember about five years ago that Susan played Mary, and Julia played the role of baby Jesus. That was a pretty tender moment.

5. Does your family have any music related holiday traditions? We don't really. Other than caroling with the church, but that's not a family only thing, nor does it happen every year. We all usually sing or play in the Christmas Cantata too, but again, it's not a family tradition. It's a tradition my family takes part in, but it's not our tradition.

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