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The music of Christmas gives the season so much of its spirit. The sounds of Christmas are as special as the smells and the sights. The soundtrack of the holiday includes both spiritual hymns and popular tunes. But have you ever wondered where these songs originated?
Thirty-one of the most popular holiday tunes are documented here, including "Silent Night," "Do You Hear What I Hear" and one of my favorites --- "I'll Be Home for Christmas." Each writeup will place you in the period where the song was written. For "I'll Be Home for Christmas," you'll feel the anxiety of every family with a soldier overseas or a loved one lost. Ace Collins' writing is vivid, never merely factual. Instead of a litany of history, there is personality woven into each section.
It's guaranteed that once you finish this slim book, you'll be able to speak volumes about each of these songs. Hey, it could be a new ice breaker on the holiday party circuit, in lieu of critiquing the hors d'oeurves!
If you want to give more than a book, here are some gift suggestions to pair with this: A CD of holiday classics sung by the original artists, or your own favorite singers, tickets to a holiday program where music like this is played, or sheet music from these songs so you can gather around the piano and sing together!
--- Reviewed by Carol Fitzgerald
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