This is a Journal entry by Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

A gutn moyed (Happy Holidays)

Post 1

Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

What would happen if Marvin wrote a Christmas carol?

Might it sound like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38hxfC6M-pg

I picked the Youtube version because the Vimeo original kept rebuffering on me, which somewhat spoiled the experience.

This song was composed by an AI. It recognised the image on the screen - er, sort of. We're not sure whether the 'flowers' are Christmas lights or presents. Anyway, the AI program used its store of holiday cliches to churn out this ditty. Amazing.

I don't think Irving Berlin has anything to worry about.

Speaking of Berlin, it is a well-known fact that we couldn't have Christmas without the Jews. After all, the holiday celebrates a Jewish baby. smiley - winkeye

But did you realise that many of our best-loved holiday tunes are by Jewish songwriters? Here's a top-ten list:

1. White Christmas by Irving Berlin (Israel Isidore Baline), natch.
2. I'll Be Home for Christmas, by Buck Ram and Walter Kent. It got them all through World War II. Kent also wrote the words to my all-time favourite WWII song, 'There'll Be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover', so thank him.
3. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, by Mel Torme.
4. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, by Sammy Cahn and Julie Styne.
5. Winter Wonderland, by Felix Bernard (Bernhardt).
6. Santa Baby, by Joan Ellen Javits and Philip Springer.
7. Sleigh Ride, by Mitchell Parrish (aka Michael Hyman Pashelinsky), who also wrote the words to 'Stardust'.
8. Silver Bells, by Jay Livingston (Jacob Harold Levison) and Ray Evans (also Jewish), two guys who met at the University of Pennsylvania and became a famous songwriting team.
9. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Berlin again.
10. The Christmas Waltz, Cahn and Styne again.

Now we know why there aren't more great Hanukkah songs - the composers were busy singing about snow and Santa.

smiley - dragon


A gutn moyed (Happy Holidays)

Post 2

Icy North

One way to freshen up those tired old Christmas carols is to sing them with a different tune. Try 'Good King Wenceslas' to the tune of 'Yankee Doodle Went to Town', for example.

(Other suggestions welcome)


A gutn moyed (Happy Holidays)

Post 3

Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

smiley - snork I'd never thought of that. If you've got 'em, let's hear 'em. smiley - biggrin I only know the ones that aren't funny, like singing 'Away in a Manger' to 'Flow Gently, Sweet Afton'. (It's just a better tune.)

Me, I like it when they change the words, too.

'Good King Sauerkraut looked out,
On his feets uneven.'

'Stop! Wenceslas is king! Wenceslas!'

'Who? Winkelhof is king? Yikes! Good King Sauerkraut must be dead!'

'Take your hat off! I didn't even know he was sick!'

Walt Kelly, 'Pogo', circa 1950.

Here's an insightful article on the late, great Walter Kelly's brilliant carol parodies:

http://humorinamerica.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/opossum-carols-or-walt-kellys-xmas-postludicrosity/

Speaking of changing the words, here's a clever new version of a tired old pop song - and it's in a good cause. (Yay, millennials.)

http://www.npr.org/2016/12/20/505113526/one-more-time-with-consent-baby-its-cold-outside-gets-an-update




A gutn moyed (Happy Holidays)

Post 4

ITIWBS

The 'dog in the manger' version of '"away in the manger"... Or, the 'dog was so mangy'.

The 'harpy barf day (PU)' song.

The 'Crocky, Crocky Divot (queen of the golfing green)' and 'killed by a bear when he was only three' versions of the Disney Davy Crocket theme song.


A gutn moyed (Happy Holidays)

Post 5

Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

smiley - laugh I don't know those. Do you know the Yiddish Davy Crockett song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwczIc4FNV0


A gutn moyed (Happy Holidays)

Post 6

Willem

Merry Christmas Dmitri and everyone else! Thanks for those songs and vids, I quite like that computer jingle, good attempt. I think Marvin's version would have been a bit more cynical. Anyways thanks for the other links also. I had to do some looking up to fully get that Yiddish Davy Crockett song! Anyways here's another funny Christmas jingle:

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


A gutn moyed (Happy Holidays)

Post 7

Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor

smiley - snork

I wasn't prepared for that. smiley - rofl Thanks, Willem! And best returns of the season to you!


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