Christmas Once Again

In 1960, Charles Brown and Gene Redd wrote “Please Come Home for Christmas.” Charles Brown recorded the song that year, and it has become a secular Christmas standard. Last week I was looking to do something different with our church’s Christmas Sunday music, and wrote this set of lyrics. Our Praise Band used the new lyrics on Sunday. Too corny? What do you think? Here is Charles Brown’s version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itdNoGtPQ3I

words by Gary Hicks

based on “Please Come Home for Christmas” by Charles Brown & Gene Redd

1. Angels were singing the glad, glad news;

Shepherds were watching, no time to lose

A child was born in lowly stall

To save the nations, the Lord of all.

2. So we adore Him these Christmas days

Lift up our voices, follow His ways

We magnify Jesus, We magnify Jesus

He is our Master, and we bring Him our praise.

BRIDGE:  Led by the starlight, Led by a star bright

Wise men came to see the newborn king

Bowing before Him, down to adore Him

So to Jesus our offerings we bring.

3. Let us remember, as we celebrate

Our God is with us, no longer wait

Receive His salvation, turn from your pain,

And be happy for it’s Christmas once again. 

Digby Shore

Earlier this month I wrote "Beaubassin". This is today's edit of that song, changed for a bit more internal consistency (since Beaubassin and Digby are separated by more than 100 miles) and with some other phrases altered as well. 

Hear the lonesome whistle blow, Morning brings the dew

Though our home is far away, I am here with you.

Geese are lifting from the shore, shall they fly away?

Here we rise at Digby shore, shall we greet the day?

When my heart was sad and low, burdened and distressed

I could hear your golden voice, bringing peace and rest.

Speak again, speak again, as in olden days

Cheer my weary, fainting soul, fill my heart with praise.

Hear the lonesome whistle blow, Evening sun goes down

Geese return to Digby shore, by the Digby town

Day is done, day is done, supper time is through

Though our home is far away, I am here with you.

to the tune “Aura Lee” by George Poulton (nineteenth century)

Beaubassin

Hear the lonesome whistle blow, See the morning dew

Though our home is far away, I am here with you.

Geese are lifting from the shore, shall they fly away?

Here we rise at Beaubassin, shall we greet the day?

When my heart was sad and slow, burdened and distressed

I could hear your golden voice, bringing peace and rest.

Speak again, speak again, as in olden days

Cheer my weary, fainting soul, fill my heart with praise.

Hear the lonesome whistle blow, See the sun go down

Geese return to Digby shore, by the Digby town

Day is done, day is done, supper time is through

Though our home is far away, I am here with you.

words by Gary Hicks, December 19, 2012

to the tune “Aura Lee” by George Poulton (nineteenth century)

Hard Times

Every December our church hosts a Children’s Memorial Service for families who have lost a child through illness or accident. At this year’s service, our trio is singing an adaptation of Stephen Foster’s beautiful old song (1854) HARD TIMES. I have written a Christ-centered third verse to add to several of Foster’s original verses.

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1. Let us pause in life’s pleasures and count its many tears,

While we all sup sorrow with the poor.

There’s a song that will linger forever in our ears,

Oh, hard times, come again no more.

CHORUS: ‘TIS THE SONG, THE SIGH OF THE WEARY

HARD TIMES, HARD TIMES, COME AGAIN NO MORE

MANY DAYS YOU HAVE LINGERED AROUND MY CABIN DOOR

OH, HARD TIMES, COME AGAIN NO MORE.

2. ’Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave,

’Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore.

’Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave,

Oh, hard times, come again no more.   (CHORUS)

3. I will look to the Savior when sorrows never end

For He comes to knock on my heart’s door

When my life has been broken, He comes to be my Friend

Oh, hard times, come again no more.  (CHORUS)

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Here is Mavis Staples' version of the original song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ixbah9u234

Your comments are welcomed!