Happy New Year! - Auld Lang Syne

      Happy New Year!  It's been a great year.  I got to travel, visit family and friends, and started grad school at Auburn.  Let's see what 2013 has in store!

Simple Gifts / Lord of the Dance

      This isn't exactly a Christmas song, but it is still a good song.  There are two sets of lyrics that I know, "Simple Gifts" (the original Shaker song) and "Lord of the Dance" (a hymn to the same tune written in 1967).

Angels We Have Heard on High

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

      "Angels We Have Heard on High", in a clawhammer Banjo style.

Jingle Bells!

      Here is "Good King Jolly Wenceslas" and "Jingle Bells."  As you know, I usually try to include some history of the songs I post, but it was just covered today on the Banjo Hangout.   Two interesting things I have never heard are "Jingle Bells" was originally composed for a Thanksgiving concert, and it was also the first song broadcasted from space.  I don't know if those are true.  I'll have to check into it.

Deck the Halls!

Pick those strings and join the chorus
Fa la la la la, la la la la

      The other day I listened to the short story "Banjo Cheer" off of Tony Trischka's Christmas album.  It got me thinking, despite all the haunting tunes I play, the banjo can be quite cheerful, especially when it is used to play Christmas carols.  So over the next few days, I'll be posting my attempts at some Christmas carols.  Today, I'll start by posting banjo cheer, and then my version of "Deck the Halls."