Friday, October 30, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
The 12 Days of Christmas
For the last couple of years (3 or 4 … I cannot remember!), we have been counting down the days (weeks) until Christmas and showing off our talents and abilities and selling a lot of handmade goodies and vintage gifts to families all over the world. Catherine of ShadowDogDesigns has taken to posting a weekly rendition of this enormously popular Christmas carol – much to all of our delight, so it’s only natural that we should take a look-see at this particular ditty and answer the question – “Just what are the 12 days of Christmas?”
It started out as a rhyme or a game in England in 1780 with roots thought to be French. Over it’s lifetime, it has had a number of tunes associated with it, but the one that we sing today has been around since 1909 and with that change in tune, we got the five gold rings. It also introduced the word “On” into the mix because the original “The first day … “ did not fit the tune. Oh, and originally, my true love sent me the gifts and not gave me the gifts. Why? Was he with his wife? Was he at war? Was he a pretend boyfriend?
Four colly birds was in the 1780 version, which were black birds in some part of England, and they tried on canary birds, curley birds, corley birds and colour’d birds for good measure. 1909 made them calling birds and ya’ll stop changing the words.
Back to those gold rings. This one’s on us, North America. We couldn’t sing five gold rings, nope, we had to draaaag it out and make it golden rings. There was an extra beat in there that bugged the heck out of us.
For really good fun, the last four days may be in different orders depending on where you’re singing the carol. You may have nine pipers and eleven maids.
By far, my favorite version is the Sharp version in 1905 that got all the lyrics “wrong”.
My true Love sent to me
Goldie ring, and the part of a June apple tree
Turtle doves, and the part of a mistletoe bough
French hens
Colley birds
Goldie rings
Geese a-laying
Swans a-swimming
Boys a-singing
Ladies dancing
Asses racing
Bulls a-beating
Bells a-ringing
I am sorry that I missed the ass race. I do see that they got the running of the bulls in there.
The 12 days represent the 12 days that start with Christmas and are celebrated in some cultures, as we found out in our Christmas Around the World series. The 12th Night is January 5th, and it is considered the last day of Christmas. Originally, this was a repeating game played with children. You sang a verse, and they repeated it, then you added to it, and they repeated it again. So on until someone goofed and was eliminated from the game. It was a “memories and forfeits” game. Like a non-mechanical version of the electronic game Simon. It was played on the 12th Night and right before eating mince pies (naturally, something that the Puritans detested and the Catholics called idolatry) and twelfth cake (which was a Danish with a baby Jesus baked inside of it.)
There are a lot of meanings associated with the the gifts themselves, and everyone has their own interpretation. They are too numerous to put into this one post, so suffice it to say, we are not going to look into each day’s meaning, but enjoy the song for what it is. For fun, the next time you are all standing around the grand piano in your front room singing Christmas carols (wait, maybe that was in a movie) you sing the 1905 version about asses racing and bulls a-beating – whatever THAT is and see if you can convert your family to the 1905 version.
Until then, you can enjoy some of the wonderful gifts that you can buy for the 12 days of Christmas. Buy 12 and we will sing about you!
Bright Blue Lapis Pearl Dangles
Blue Aventurine Netted Bracelet
Hand Dyed Rope Basket Dyed For Your Kitchen Bath Projects Or Display
Headband Ear Warmer Cabled Headband Head wrap in blue
Square Bright Blue and Purple Cufflinks
Lovely Let It Snow Hanging Dish Towel With Hand Knit Topper and Ties
Sapphire Victorian Earrings
Opaque Dark Sky Blue Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads 228 Shiny
Outer Space Centerpieces for Kids Birthday Party
Blue Ruffle Scarf Hand Knit
Faux Turquoise on a Chain with Swarovski Crystals Dangles Handmade Polymer Clay Bead Chunky Necklace
Sparkling Teal Dichroic Glass Cabochon Pendant and Dangle Earrings Set with Red and Black Streaks
Statement necklace 18 inch choker Turquoise Pendant Bead OOAK non tarnish copper wire wrap
Czech Turquoise Glass Bead & Antique Brass Chandelier Earrings
Turquoise Blue Czech Glass Handmade Earrings
March Madness Mini Basketballs Collar Slipcover or Scrunchie Bandana
Bracelet Handmade Bangle and Earrings Blue Gemstone Pearl Amethyst silver jewelry
Basset Hound Christmas Tree Ornament Handmade From Poplar Wood, Hound Dog
Blue Glass Bead Mix Variety of Shapes Sizes Set of 18
See something you just cannot live without or that would make a great gift for someone on your gift list? Buy it now because handmade, artisan jewelry is HOT, HOT, HOT and sells fast!
Enjoy all of these goodies, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more at:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Here We Come A’Wassailing
Deck the Halls
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Good King Wenceslas
I Saw Three Ships
All of these handmade designers are ready to make something for you. Just ask them!
Enjoy,
Julie and Blu
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Friday, October 23, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
I Saw Three Ships
This traditional Christmas carol is a slight derivative of Greensleeves and was originally printed in the 17th century. It is a well-loved English tune that tells the story of ships sailing into Bethlehem. Apparently, it was written by someone geographically challenged since the nearest body of water to Bethlehem would be the Dead Sea, and that is around 20 miles away. The best guess is that the three ships are a reference to the three ships that were supposed to have brought the relics of the magi to the Cologne Cathedral sometime in the 12th century. The other guesses include the coat of arms of Wencelaus, who was wearing azure three galleys argent. Another guess is the three kings. Regardless, it is a catchy tune and a delightful song that fits the season.
I saw three ships
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Know what else is delightful? All of these wonderful handmade goodies that make your holiday shopping so much easier!
Denim Lined Half Apron
Handmade Agate Pendant and Purple and Silver Beaded Necklace
Jewel tone sundress
Cotton Hand Knit Purple Flowerpot Dish Cloth or Wash Cloth
Metallic Iridescent Fused Glass Pendant in Purple
Purple Flower Celtic Woven Mat - Irish Crochet Art
Hawaiian Jade Green Sea Glass Beachcombed Gold Wire Wrap Heart Crystal
Cheerleaders Christmas Ornament Handmade From Birch Wood
Purple Mercury Classic Car HotRod Mouse Pad
Rose Bronze Celtic Heart Necklace
U-Lee-Lah Spring at Dupree Garden - Tampa Florida Vintage Linen Postcard
Pink Polkadot Owl with Turquoise Wing Stickers, Personalized
Fuchsia Pink and Black Fused Dichroic Glass Jewelry Set Pendant and Earrings
Purple and White Brazilian Banded Agate Faceted Gemstone Necklace
Purple Brass Fan Lampwork Handmade Earrings, Swarovski Crystal Boho Dangle Jewelry
Blackberry Pearl Earrings Swarovski Crystals Sterling Silver Handmade
Purple Flower Scarf Penguin Gift Card Money Holder Key Ring
Bangle Handmade Beaded Purple Mosaic Glass Pink Rose Decorative Silver
Shiny Violet Purple Handmade Lampwork Beads Opaque Glass Round 272g
Small Size Plum Purple Bracelet Puff Round Stone Sea Sediment Jasper
Purple Fluorite Gemstone Fuchsia Crystal Sterling Boho Bracelet Large
See something you just cannot live without or that would make a great gift for someone on your gift list? Buy it now because handmade, artisan jewelry is HOT, HOT, HOT and sells fast!
Enjoy all of these goodies, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more at:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week4
Week5
Here We Come A’Wassailing
Deck the Halls
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Good King Wenceslas
All of these handmade designers are ready to make something for you. Just ask them!
Enjoy,
Julie and Blu
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Friday, October 16, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Good King Wenceslas
This is a Christmas tale about a king who is traveling to give alms to the poor. The weather is horrid, harsh, blizzard conditions and deadly, and his poor page is ready to curl up and die because he is struggling to follow along. The only way that he can make it is to follow directly behind the king and put his feet in the king’s footprints. He follows him step by step. It is the telling of the legend of Saint Wenceslas who was a martyr and later elevated to king after his death. He was well known for his goodness, and it would not have been unusual for him to trek through the snow with his bare feet. Like all legends, it was embellished with every telling.
What we do know is that he was born in 907 and assassinated by his brother in 935. He was the Czechoslovakian duke of Bohemian, and his brother was rightly called Boleslav the Cruel. Boleslav went on to become the next duke of Bohemia.
After Wenceslas’ death, there grew a cult-like following of his legacy that focused around the good deeds he did and his pious nature. In 1853, the song was a tribute written about him for the Feast of Stephen and set to the music of "Tempus adest floridum" ("The time is near for flowering"), which was a Finnish song from 1582. While many carolers do not include this song in their repertoire, some of us had to learn it when they were taking piano lessons.
There are various takes on the lyrics, and it really depends upon the translation, but it was Elizabeth Poston, who in the Penguin Book of Christmas Carols, referred to it as the "product of an unnatural marriage between Victorian whimsy and the thirteenth-century dance carol". She goes on to detail how Neale's "ponderous moral doggerel" does not fit the light-hearted dance measure of the original tune, and that if performed in the correct manner "sounds ridiculous to pseudo-religious words. Good heavens, Lizzy, lighten up, it’s not that bad of a song!
This is the one we are most familiar with:
Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night, tho' the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath'ring winter fuel.
"Hither, page, and stand by me, if thou know'st it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain;
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I shall see him dine, when we bear them thither. "
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together;
Through the rude wind's wild lament and the bitter weather.
"Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, good my page. Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.
Another translation of this carol is here:
Now comes the time of flowers, and the blossoms appear;
now in all things comes the transformation of Spring.
What the cold harmed, the warmth repairs,
as we see by all these colors.
The fields in which we play are full of flowers.
Maidens and clerks, let us go out together,
let us play for the love of Venus,
that we may teach the other maidens.
“O my chosen one, why dost thou shun me?
Dost thou not know, dearest, how much thou art loved?
If thou wert Helen, I would be Paris.
So great is our love that it can be so.”
Not exactly a crowd pleaser, but not the worse thing that could be sung. Most carolers don’t get past the first verse…
But, here are some real crowd pleasers!
Peach Freshwater Pearl Dangles, Swarovski Crystals
Pink Malaysia Jade Earrings in Sterling Silver
Rose Pink Evening Primrose Bloom Filet Crochet Art Décor
Petal Pink Eyelet Shell
Red and White Frosty Snowman Pendant
Exotic Wood Pendant Box Elder Red Flame Necklace
Gorgeous Grandma's Goodies Hand Knit Cotton Dish Towel Oven Hanger
Have Snow Much Fun With This Snowman Handcrafted Christmas Card
Spaniel Christmas Tree Ornament Handmade From Poplar Wood
Beautiful Vintage Pink Rose on Gold Background
Paris Party Stickers
Pink Plaid Westies Tri-fold Wallet, Fabric Clutch
Peach Aventurine and Blush Quartz Gemstone Handmade Gold OOAK Necklace
Women's Embroidered Pink Shirt
Fuchsia Sugar Plum Earrings - Dichroic Handmade Glass Jewelry with Swarovski Crystal
Natural Copper Cuff Bracelet, Handcrafted, 1″ x 6″
Victorian Watch Bracelet, Silver Watch Bracelet
Spanish Cross Handmade Necklace, Coral Turquoise Pearls Gemstone Artisan Jewelry
Handmade Bracelet Stack Wrap Pink Cats eye Swarovski Crystal Pearl
Etched Light Pastel Pink Lampwork Glass Beads Fine Silver Matte
Swarovski Pink Crystal Pearl Three Strand Prom Necklace Chain Attached
Pink Rhodonite Sterling Arrow Head Pendant
See something you just cannot live without or that would make a great gift for someone on your gift list? Buy it now because handmade, artisan jewelry is HOT, HOT, HOT and sells fast!
Enjoy all of these goodies, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more at:
Week 1
Week 2
Week4
Here We Come A’Wassailing
All of these handmade designers are ready to make something for you. Just ask them!
Enjoy,
Julie and Blu
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