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The group is Anonymous 4,
from their '98 release on
the harmonia mundi label,
Legends of St. Nicholas -
Medieval Chants and
Polyphony.
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Saint Nicholas, the 4th century saint
who inspired our modern figure of Santa Claus,
was born near Myra, a port on the Mediterranean Sea serving
the busy sea lanes that linked the seaports of Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Ships sailing these waters, laden with grain and all kinds of goods,
found safety in the port from raging storms and menacing pirates. 
Nicholas came from one of the city's wealthy merchant families,
but he was not spoiled by his family's wealth.
His mother and father taught him to be generous to others,
especially those in need. So Nicholas came to see that
helping others makes one richer in life than anything else.
As bishop of Myra, Nicholas seemed more aware
than ever of people's needs. He would appear all over
the city offering help to anyone in difficulty, then quietly
disappear without waiting for thanks. He shunned publicity.
Still, his reputation as a holy man grew and grew,
even spreading to distant cities that had never seen him.
He was especially interested that families
had enough to eat and a good place to live,
that children got ahead in life, and that old people
lived out their lives with dignity and respect.
And he always loved the sailors living so dangerously on the sea.
Without their ships, people everywhere would be
without food and other goods they carried for trade.
Yet it is as a lover of children that Nicholas is best
remembered today. While he lived, he gave the little ones
he met small gifts-- some candy, a toy. His kindness,
which always managed to surprise them, touched their hearts,
and they learned from this holy man what a beautiful thing giving is.
In the figure of Santa Claus, whose name and activity
Nicholas inspired, we have this saint with us today.
Victor Hoagland, C.P.
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"Run, Run Rudolph" |
t
"Run, Run Rudolph" was first recorded in
1958 by Chuck Berry, and has since been
covered by a LOT of R&B outfits. It's from
Chuck's '09 album on the Universal label -
A Holly Jolly Kids Christmas.
"Santa Claus, Santa Claus" (right) is a
classic James Brown style shot -
"PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!".
It's from a Universal/Motown label CD released
in 2003: The Christmas Collection,
from their 20th Century Masters Series.
And below we have a cut from a Beach Boys
reissue/renamed album - Christmas With
The Beach Boys, released in '04 on
Capital Records.
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"Santa Claus, Santa Claus" |
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The Boston "Santa Speedo Run"
has raised about a half-million dollars for
charities in the greater Boston area.
First held in 2000,
the run picks new charities each year to
receive the cash from entry fees (pledges),
which this past year were a minimum entry
of $250.00 per runner.
Though it's been criticized for its style,
(though lack of content might apply here),
it's hard to get mad at "polar bear club" type
freewheeling exhibitionism, all in good fun, and giving
something to local charities for the "show."
The run has now been "copycat'd" in
cities across the country and overseas,
raising thousands for charities wherever you have
enough folks, with enough nerve, and perhaps, enough brandy.
If you want to criticize, show the money...as they say.
.
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There are lots of people
who really like Bob Dylan's
'09 CD, Christmas In The Heart,
and lots of people who really don't
like it. Dylan's music always
gets strong opinions, pro and con,
even (or maybe especially)
with some so-called holiday
standards, new and old.
It's on the Columbia label.
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The full title is
"Santa Claus is Comin'
(In A Boogie Woogie Choo
Choo Train)." It's by
The Tractors, on their CD
Have Youself A Tractors Christmas,
from the Arista Nashville label,
released in '07.
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The title gives no hint that this is a "Santa Song," but it is.
It's the title cut from a Merle Haggard CD
released in '03 on the Sony Label.
.
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