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O Holy Night (bug67) by bug67 [Email]
Genre: Holiday

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 1435
Comments: 33
Votes:
Plays: 437
Last Played: Sep 16, 2008 - 11:06:06 PM
Downloads: 60
Fans: 8
Uploaded: Dec 17, 2006 - 08:01:35 PM
Last Updated: Mar 11, 2007 - 04:09:22 PM



Keywords:
Christmas (148)Carol (21)Acoustic (472)Folk (359)Peace (100)Holy (8)Christ (13)
Description:
Well, I've been working on this since November. It has gone through many, many iterations. I wasn't satisfied with any of them. And, I'm still not liking my voice. :/ I've scrapped this about 3 or 4 times all together. All the previous versions, I felt, just didn't do this wonderful carol justice.

Finally, I decided on the much simplified version heard here.

This is my favorite carol of all time. I think, more than any other carol, the lyrics Roquemaure came up with completely and absolutely capture what Christmas is all about.

The one line in particular, "Fall on your knees," does it for me. I can just picture angels appearing to the shepherds that night. what would have been your reaction?

Merry Christmas everyone.

Lyrics:
O Holy Night
Cappeau de Roquemaure (1847)

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night, O Holy Night, O night divine!


Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wisemen from Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!


Truly He taught us to love one another,

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.

And in His name all oppression will cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus we raise

With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O, praise His name forever!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!


Hardware:
Dual 2.7 GHz PowerPC G5 / 8 GB DDR SDRAM
MOTU 828mkII
PreSonus DigiMax LT
Taylor 410CE Guitar
Epiphone MM30E Mandolin
Alder Recorder
Rode NT-1A Microphone

Software:
Digital Performer
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simple can be just right &mdash 12/17/06 - 09:22:41 PM
and this performance is just right.....peace.....

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks, McBoy! &mdash 12/17/06 - 09:30:57 PM
And, Merry Christmas!

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Where my songs are

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Lovely simplicity &mdash 12/17/06 - 09:44:56 PM
McBoy got it just right. I know exactly what you mean about the "Fall on your knees" part. Gives me goosebumps; And I'm not religious in the slightest. Is that your mandolin? I love that texture and rhythm in this rendition. And the harmony vox is blended very well. This is truly peaceful. Thank you, bug, for letting me know about this gem.

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Thank you &mdash 12/17/06 - 09:50:29 PM
Yes, that's me hashing it out on the mandolin. Funny thing about that mandolin. It was a Christmas gift 2 years ago. It just felt right that it have a part to play in this.

Merry Christmas!

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Where my songs are

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Perfect.... &mdash 12/17/06 - 10:27:10 PM
...that you chose to put YOUR voice to this. Why? Because it is your favorite carol, and you can hear that in your voice, and in this performance.

It's also perfect because, through sharing this carol that you love, it's a profoundly beautiful a gift to those who hear it.

At least it's a gift to me.
Thank you :)

Absolutely beautiful....



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Thanks, Cat &mdash 12/17/06 - 10:32:34 PM
So glad you stopped by!

Merry Christmas!

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Where my songs are

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Well sung &mdash 12/17/06 - 10:38:27 PM
I wouldn't be feeling too concerned about your voice Dave - in fact I'd suggest your singing will get to be very good the more you do. I like the simple way you've done this track too. Only nit is that it's a bit soft, but that's not really a problem - that's why I have a volume control : )
Nicely done,
Happy Christmas and all the best for 2007!
Neil

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Thanks, Neil &mdash 12/17/06 - 11:15:50 PM
Thank you for your words of encouragement. Yeah, I don't know how to get more volume out of Digital Performer but, like you said, that's why we have volume controls. Cheers and Merry Christmas!

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Where my songs are

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Very Nicely done .... &mdash 12/17/06 - 10:44:28 PM
.... just a nice little Christmas tune to enjoy in front of the fire .. I also enjoy the harmonies ... In all my years of hearing this carole ... I don't believe I have EVER heard those last few verses .... I am putting this on my Christmas CD !

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Thanks! &mdash 12/17/06 - 11:19:55 PM
Wow! I'm honored that you liked it well enough to keep it! :) I'd never really heard the other verses either. In fact, there's another one but it's in Latin. Ha! No way I'm attempting that! Really though, the only "words" I ever paid any attention to were, "Fall on your knees." That's what got my attention. :)

Merry Christmas!

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Where my songs are

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loved the work you put in the &mdash 12/18/06 - 12:23:56 AM
arpeggios on the guitar! Nice singin and chordal work.

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Thanks, Bill &mdash 12/18/06 - 01:24:38 AM
Eh, the hard part was everything BUT the guitar :)

Merry Christmas!

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Where my songs are

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very good Sir &mdash 12/18/06 - 01:52:24 AM
Hey Dave... for someone who's not sure about your voice, 1st you really knock this one out of he park, and you picked a tough one... singing this is not for the faint of heart, so all the more praise for the performance... you don't shy away from the high notes... you commit to the note... they are clear and natural.. and I agree with McBoy, simple is the right setting for this song...

this really worked for me... merry christmas Dave and thanx

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Wow, Scott &mdash 12/18/06 - 02:04:04 AM
Thanks for the comment. Hope you're having a wonderful holiday. Peace, my brother.

Merry Christmas!

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Where my songs are

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Sounds great &mdash 12/18/06 - 08:47:48 AM
Dave, I think this is a wonderful rendition, thanks for pointing me here.

. - Harold

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Hiya &mdash 12/18/06 - 02:37:43 PM
Glad you enjoyed it.

Merry Christmas!

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serene! &mdash 12/18/06 - 02:01:15 PM
This version has a wonderful serenity to it that is profoundly appealing. I downloaded it for my CD Christmas collection to listen in my car! I admire the fact that you sang the whole poem that this hymn was based on. I did google the lyrics previously and was glad to find out that someone is doing it. Thanks also for your commnents on my song, too. It is very different from yours, but the message of love and Christmas spirit remains the same.

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Thanks Leon &mdash 12/18/06 - 02:40:53 PM
I hadn't hear you sing before but, your version blew me away! Thanks for sharing.

Merry Christmas!

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I never tire of hearing this song.. &mdash 12/19/06 - 03:46:38 AM
and your rendition is very nice!

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Thanks &mdash 12/19/06 - 04:05:04 AM
Thank you for listening.

Merry Christmas!

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awwww.... &mdash 12/19/06 - 05:04:02 AM
happy and a merry - big loves and ty xoxox

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Hi Caroline! &mdash 12/19/06 - 05:07:02 AM
Glad you liked it. Thanks for listening :)

Merry Christmas!

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I don't think I have heard this in over 30 years &mdash 12/20/06 - 06:41:46 AM
This is warm and slightly vulnerable rendition - Well done!

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That is, &mdash 12/20/06 - 06:49:04 AM
I haven't heard it with lyrics in that long.

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Ars longa, vita brevis.

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Hey, Mungo &mdash 12/20/06 - 06:57:11 AM
Thanks for stopping by and taking a listen. Much appreciated.

Happy Holidays!

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Beautiful! &mdash 12/20/06 - 10:12:35 PM
Your arrangement is fantastic. I like the quietness of this. The mandoline style is awesome in the chorus and you did a fantastic job singing. Its not easy to sing traditional carols, they usually span acouple of octive and are usually in the the key of C, (Not my fav.)

Great Job!

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Hey, &mdash 12/20/06 - 10:20:39 PM
Thanks for taking a listen. A lot of traditional hymns and carols do seem to be in the key of C (or G.) My version here is no exception. :)

Happy Holidays!



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Fine Capture &mdash 12/20/06 - 10:44:23 PM
Clearly, the Spirit of Christmas fills your house this season.



Merry Christmas.



Guitars are Here, with me, now. Your voice Emotes the Story before the Lyric itself.

Truly Lovely.



Dixie

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Thanks &mdash 12/21/06 - 02:49:19 AM
I appreciate your comments very much. Thank you for taking time from, I sure, your busy schedule. Means a lot.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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Excellent &mdash 12/22/06 - 09:04:37 PM
I love it. You're acoustic guitar sound is spectacular. Your vocals are great. Of course, you know musicians, they're never satisfied with their stuff... Great recording and great song.

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Thanks so much &mdash 12/22/06 - 09:07:55 PM
Yes, indeed. I am never satisfied. Especially with my vocals. :P

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Thsnks Everyone! &mdash 12/25/06 - 06:25:41 PM
Thank you all for taking time out to have a listen. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

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Best of all &mdash 11/29/07 - 09:37:15 AM
I get that same feeling at the part fall on your knees.
I love tis song, and can never remember the words,my kids like holiday music ll year round, this is a great version, your voice tells the true story of the night of nights.
Thanks a million,.
Seamus

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