It was Christmas Eve.
I begin this way because it is the proper, orthodox, respectable way to begin, and I have been brought up in a proper, orthodox, respectable way, and taught to always do the proper, orthodox, respectable thing; and the habit clings to me.
Of course, as a mere matter of information it is quite unnecessary to mention the date at all. The experienced reader knows it was Christmas Eve, without my telling him. It always is Christmas Eve, in a ghost story,
Christmas Eve is the ghosts' great gala night. On Christmas Eve they hold their annual fete. On Christmas Eve everybody in Ghostland who IS anybody—or rather, speaking of ghosts, one should say, I suppose, every nobody who IS any nobody—comes out to show himself or herself, to see and to be seen, to promenade about and display their winding-sheets and grave-clothes to each other, to criticise one another's style, and sneer at one another's complexion.
Finish reading the above book about ghost stories on Christmas Eve here. It is also available in Kindle format, and I have to go back and read the whole thing now that I am hooked. It is part of the Guttenberg project to make old manuscripts available to new readers.
However, this is the very rabbit hole that I fell down while doing my research on our next song, and soon, you will see why.
This 1963 creation was the result of a collaboration between Edward Pola and George Wyle. This is the only song written by either one of these folks that has made a mark in history; although, Mr. Wyle, along with Sherwood Schwartz, did write the theme song to Gilligan’s Island. We all know THAT song, and we all know THIS song.
Since it was written for him, it was only right that Andy Williams took it to the charts on his very first Christmas album, The Andy Williams Christmas Album. I bet all of us have this album, heard this album or our parents had the album. This song was never released as a promotional single, as Columbia Records decided to promote Andy’s version of White Christmas from the same album for the Christmas season.
This celebratory song is comprised of all of the activities associated with the Christmas season, and puts the focus on family gatherings and meals together. People got together on Christmas Eve and told “scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of long, long ago.” See where the rabbit hole opened up?
The closest to scary ghost stories we have today is the telling of A Christmas Carol.
Originally, the song was for The Andy Williams Show, and he sang it every year, and from there, it expanded to other artists and became a lovely standard that we enjoy every Christmas season. It was never a chart topper, but it has been included in the list of the top holiday songs over generations. It has a lot of fans, and we all know the words.
Covered by the likes of Garth Brooks, Amy Grant, Patti LaBelle and by Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat for The Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas, the original Andy Williams remains my favorite, and I hope that it is yours, too. Note the Moon River intro.
Sing along!
It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time
Yes the most wonderful time
Oh the most wonderful time
Of the year
On those notes, let’s load up our gift bags and start to finish up our shopping.
Hand Knit Brioche Scarf Navy and Autumn
The Garden Wall
Mens Yin Yang Bracelet,
Gemstone Drop Earrings
Wedding Photo Album
Sunflower Boho Dangle Earrings with Orange and Brown Beads and Jasper Gemstones 2-inches Long
Brown Earrings
Rustic Kitchen Basket and Mat
Carved Bone Leaf and Dzi Etched Brown Eye Agate Antique Brass Necklace
Starburst Jasper and Pearls Necklace
Knitted Cowl NeckWarmer in Chocolate Brown with Topaz Sequins
Brown Beaded Choker Necklace 15.5 Inch Rustic Copper Brass Ant. Silver
Handmade Lampwork Bead Shiny Opaque Dark Red Brown Reddish Glossy 452g
Golden Brown and Red Tiger Faceted Gemstone Beaded Necklace 21 inch
Don’t see what you are looking for? Maybe you will find it in some of the following showcases or ask one of our talented artists to design something special for you.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
And even more!
War is Over
When Kittens Sing
You Better Watch Out!
Maybe He was Drunk
She was only 13
Sad and Lonely this Holiday Season
It Might Only be a Dream
Dance Through the Streets
Born in a Heat Wave
For a Good Cause
Hurry because handmade sells out fast, and when they are gone, they are gone! Buy now.
Enjoy!
Julie
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