1.

(# 73 country hit)

Away In A Manger

Traditional

© PolyGram Int, ASCAP / Reba McEntire Music, ASCAP

Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head
Those stars in the sky looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing the baby awakes
The little Lord Jesus no crying he makes
I love you Lord Jesus look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh
[ vibes ]
Beneath me Lord Jesus I ask you to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in your tender care
And take us to heaven to live with you there

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2.

On This Day

Michael Heeney - David Scarlett

© Careers Music, BMI

The kids were up before dawn this morning
Straight to the Christmas tree they ran
Called up the stairs for us to hurry
Wait for this day for about as long as they could stand

While trading presents the little one asks me
Why do we have Christmas each year
I said long ago a child was born this day
He's a gift more precious then all you see here

Cause on this day a child was born In the town of Bethlehem
And on this day God sent his son to bring peace and goodwill to all men
Oh on this day we call Christmas we honor his name
On this day we recall all the reasons he came
On this day on this day

Grandma and grandpa arrived after breakfast
The rest of the gang by noon
We spent the day watching football and breaking in toys
Helping out in the kitchen catching up on old news

When the dinner bell rang we all took our places
Grandpa said who wants to say grace
Before anyone else could utter a word
Oh the little one bowed her head and she started to say

Cause on this day a child was born...

Oh on this day we call Christmas we honor his name
On this day we recall all the reasons he came
On this day on this day

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3.

O Holy Night

Adolphe Adam

© Writer Share, PD

O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felts its worth
The thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees oh hear the angel voices
O night divine o holy night when Christ was born
O night divine o holy night when Christ was born
[ fiddle ]
When Christ was born

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing heart by his cradle we stand
So led by light of the stars so sweetly gleaming
With glowing heart by his cradle we stand
Here came the wisemen from far distant land
The king of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Fall on your knees oh hear the angel voices...

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4.

Christmas Guest

Louis M. Jones - Billy Walker

© Loray El Marlee Publ, BMI

It happened one day near December's end
Two neighbors called on an old friend
And they found his shop so meager and lean
Laid gay with thousand bows of green
And Conrad was sittin' with faces shine
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine
And he said old friends it dawned today
When the cock was crowing the night away
The Lord appeared in a dream to me
And said I'm coming your guest to be
So I've been busy with feet of stern
Strewing my shop with branches of fern
The table is spread and the kettle is shine
And over the rafters the holly is twine
Now I'll wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear
His step as he nears my humble place
And I'll open the door and look on his face
So his friends went home and left Conrad alone
For this was the happiest day he had known
For long since his family had passed away
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day
But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest
This Christmas would be the dearest and best
So he listened with only joy in his heart
And with every sound he would rise with a start
And look for the Lord to be at his door
Like the vision he'd had a few hours before
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound
But all he could see on the snow covered ground
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn
But Conrad was touched and he went to the door
And he said you know your feet must be frozen and sore
I have some shoes in my shop for you
And a coat that will keep you warmer too
So with grateful heart the man went away
But Conrad noticed the time of day
And wondered what made the Lord so late
And how much longer he'd have to wait
When he heard a knock he ran to the door
But it was only a stranger once more
A bent old lady with a shawl of black
With a bundle of kindlin' piled on her back
She asked for only a place to rest
But that was reserved for Conrad's great guest
But her voice seemed to plead don't send me away
Let me rest for awhile on Christmas Day
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to set at the table and sup
But after she left he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were slipping away
And the Lord hadn't come as he said he would
Then Conrad felt sure he'd misunderstood
When out of of the stillness he heard a cry
Please help me and tell me where am I
So again he opened his friendly door
And stood disapointed as twice before
It was only a child that wandered away
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day
Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad
But he knew he should make the little girl glad
So he called her in and he wiped her tears
And quieted all her childish fears
Then he led her back to her home once more
But as he entered his own darkened door
He knew the Lord was not coming today
Well the hours of Christmas had passed away
So he went to his room and knelt down to pray
And he said dear Lord why did you delay
What kept you from coming to call on me
For I wanted so much your face to see
When soft in the silence a voice he heard
Lift up your head for I kept my word
Three times my shadow crossed your floor
And three times I came to your lowly door
I was the beggar with bruised cold feet
And I was the woman you gave something to eat
I was the child on the homeless street
Three times I knocked and three times I came in
And each time I found the warmth of a friend
Of all the gifts love is the best
And I was honored to be your Christmas guest

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5.

Silent Night

Franz Gruber - Joseph Mohr

© Educational Graphics Press, BMI

(On Christmas Eve in 1818 a blizzard stranded the tiny village of Ogledorf
Nestled in the Austrian mountains
That same day the people of St Nicholas' church found their organ broken
So the priest and organist began composing a song that could be sung without an organ Yet beautiful enough to express their Christmas joy
All day and all night long they worked
And at midnight the gentle carol Silent Night was born
The pure clear tones echoed through the hills
And the world has been captured by the beauty of that simple song ever since)

Silent night holy night all is calm all is bright
Round young virgin mother and child holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night holy night shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar heavely hosts sing alleluia
Christ the Saviour is born Christ the Saviour is born

Silent night holy night all is calm all is bright...

Silent night holy night all is dark save the light
See the eastern wise men bring gifts and homage to our King
Christ the Saviour is born Jesus the Saviour is born
Silent night holy night sleep in heavenly peace

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6.

Happy Birthday Jesus

Traditional

© PolyGram Int, ASCAP / Reba McEntire Music, ASCAP

(Now kids hang on just a second before we start
You know there's a reason we are all here
In front of grandma and grandpa's Christmas tree
And if Trevor and EP would quit fighting long enough and be real quiet
This little song might help you understand)

Long ago in a stable there was a baby being born
His parents were Joseph and Mary and Joseph's big ole heart was torn
Cause he couldn't find a decent place for Mary to have her child
But Mary said it just seemed just right and she blessed it with her smile

Cause what made it special was the baby in her arms
God sent him down to give the world a second chance for you and I
That's why we have Christmas at this time each year
It's the baby's birthday party that brings us so much cheer

(Now kids the presents that all of you exchange on Christmas
Represents the gifts that baby Jesus received the night he was born
He got all his presents from three wise men
Who followed a star and walked a long long way to the stable
So everytime you tear open one of your presents
Think about that baby and say
Happy birthday Jesus I'll open this one for you)

Cause what made it special was the baby in her arm...
(OK all together now happy birthday Jesus I'll open this one just for you)

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7.

White Christmas

Irving Berlin

© Irving Berlin Music, ASCAP

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear the sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

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8.

(# 68 country hit)

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Kim Gannon - Walter Kent - Buck Ram

© Gannon And Kent Music, ASCAP / Piedmont Music, ASCAP

I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back this I promise you
[ fiddle ]
Well I'll be home for Christmas you can plan on me
So please have snow and lots of mistletoe and presents under the tree
Oh Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams
[ steel - piano ]
You know Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams
Darlin' I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams
Oh if only in my dreams

**********

9.

Christmas Letter

John Greenbaum - Gene Nelson - Paul Nelson

© Make Believus Music, ASCAP / WB Music, ASCAP / Screen Gems Music, BMI

At an antique desk an old man sits alone
Oh it's Christmas Eve and it's almost time to go
He signs his name to a letter he just wrote
Then he reads it back with a voice as soft as snow

I want peace on earth for Christmas
In a world where there's not one hungry child
They would hope and faith Conquers fear and hate
All I'm asking for is a little more love

Then he walks outside and climbs up on his sleigh
And calls out to his reindeer and off they fly away
Oh tonight he'll make a million dreams appear
While he wishes that his own dreams would come true this year

I want peace on earth for Christmas...
They would hope and faith Conquers fear and hate
All I'm asking for is a little more love

**********

10.

(# 63 country hit)

Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)

Mel Torme - Robert Wells

© Edwin H Morris Music, BMI

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir and folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows that turkey and some mistletoe
Helps to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa Calus is on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is going to spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I am offering this simple phrase to kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times many ways merry Christmas to you
[ guitar - piano ]
And so I am offering this simple phrase...
Merry Christmas

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