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Where Will You Be Christmas Day?

by Various Artists

/
1.
Spoken: And I want y'all to remember that Christmas is Jesus' birthday Now I want y'all to remember this song too, and don't never forget it Jesus' birthday, the month that Jesus was born in You bigger girls should remember to sing it Just hand it, sing it to the little ones, ya hear? What month was Jesus born in? Last month in the year What month was Jesus born in? Last month in the year Ooh Lord you got January, February, March, oh Lord You got April, May and June, Lord Got the July, August, September, October and the November You got twenty-fifth day of December, it's the last month in the year I'm talking 'bout Mary's baby Last month in the year I'm talking 'bout Mary's baby Last month in the year Ooh Lord you got January, February, March, oh Lord You got April, May and June, Lord Got the July, August, September, October and November You got twenty-fifth day of December, it's the last month in the year He was borned in a oxen manger Last month in the year He was borned in a oxen manger Last month in the year Ooh Lord you got January, February, March, oh Lord You got April, May and June, Lord Got July, August, September, October and-a November You got twenty-fifth day of December, it's the last month in the year
2.
Early on one Christmas morn, Jesus Christ the Son was born Singing carols, Christmas songs, early on one Christmas morn Early on one Christmas morn, Jesus Christ the Son was born Singing carols, Christmas songs, Jesus Christ the Son was born Three Wise men saw the star at night, star that lit up the heavens so bright Star it led where Christ was born, Early on one Christmas morn In that city of Bethlehem, Wise men brought Him jewels and gems Born in a manger humble and low, that is a-why we love Him so Mary was His mother calm, who held Him gently in her arms All hail and praise to Him, peace on Earth, a-good will to men
3.
Christmas is a-coming and it's a-jumping Christmas is a-coming and it's a-jumping Christmas is a-coming and it's a-jumping Boy it won't be long Chicken crows at midnight on a Christmas Day Rooster crows at midnight on a Christmas Day Children get so happy on a Christmas Day Children get so happy on a Christmas Day Santa Claus coming and he's a coming Santa Claus coming and he's a coming Santa Claus coming and he's a coming Boy an' it won't be long Santa Claus comes on Christmas on a Christmas Day Santa Claus comes on Christmas on a Christmas Day Children run and tell their pappy on a Christmas Day Children run and tell their pappy on a Christmas Day Little children get so happy on a Christmas Day Little children get so happy on a Christmas Day Don't forget it
4.
Chorus: Mommy, will you sing "Let's Give Him a Cantaway" on Christmas Day? Poppy, will you do "Let's Give Him a Cantaway" on Christmas Day? Mommy, will you sing "Let's Give Him a Cantaway" on Christmas Day? Christmas is a happy day Darling, here what you'll have to say "I am looking for me deary dear As to get me Christmas cheer" When I meet him, what he'll say? That he never work neither night nor day So then I'll give him a cantaway On Christmas Day This is he walk 'bout round the town With a tear-up suit and a watchikong Entering the young girl's place The nigger man never rouge his face He have a way that he wink his eyes Make him resemble a crocodile So I'll give him a cantaway On Christmas Day
5.
6.
Vilar: En un pesebre nacio a eso de la medianoche un niño que sin reproche clamaron hijo de Dios Una estrella iluminó el sitio donde María tenía en brazos al Mesías que acaba de nacer al que empezaban a ver al amanecer del día Davilita: Los tres magos soberanos de los reinos del Oriente vinieron muy diligentes a ofrendar su Dios cristiano y todo el mundo pagano Recuerda las profecías Pues sabian que nacería pronto el hijo de Israel y que lo iban a ver Al amanecer del día Vilar: Todas las aves cantaban olian todas las flores bonita luz y colores las astros del cielo daban Los buenos sabios oraban Los réprobos se escondian En las pajas ya había Nacido el niño sonriente Se postró un mundo creyente Al amanecer del día Davilita: Y a través de las edades recordando al soberan o el universo cristiano celebra las navidades dice así, felicidades El humano se extasía y aún pedimos al Mesías hijo de María y José que algo de su gracia nos dé al amenecer del día ENGLISH TRANSLATION Vilar: He was born in a manger About midnight An innocent child Proclaimed the Son of God A star shone upon The place where Mary Held our Saviour in her arms Who had just been born They beheld him At daybreak Davilita: The three wise men From the Orient Promptly came To offer gifts to the Son of God And all the pagan world They remembered the prophecies That foretold the birth Of the Son of Israel And they came to see Him At daybreak Vilar: All the birds were singing All the flowers were perfumed Stars in the sky were shedding Beautiful light and colors The wise men were praying The scoundrels were hiding Already, in the straw The smiling child had been born Everyone fell to their knees At daybreak Davilita: Throughout the ages In memory of our Sovereign The Christian universe Celebrates His birth With good wishes Humanity is ecstatic And we still pray for the Messiah Son of Mary and Joseph To shed His grace upon us At daybreak
7.
Tu scendi dalle stelle o Re del cielo, E vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo, E vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo. O bambino mio divino io ti vedo qui tremar. O Dio beato, Ahi, quanto ti costò l'avermi amato! Ah, quanto ti costò l'avermi amato! E Tu che sei del mondo il Creatore, Mancaron panni e fuoco o mio Signore Mancaron panni e fuoco o mio Signore Caro eletto pargoletto quanto questa povertà Più m'innamora, Giacché ti fece amor pover ancora, Giacché ti fece amor pover ancora. ENGLISH TRANSLATION O King of Heaven! from starry throne descending, Thou takest refuge in that wretched cave: O God of bliss! I see Thee cold and trembling. What pain it cost Thee fallen man to save! Thou, of a thousand worlds the great Creator, Dost now the pain of cold and want endure; Thy poverty but makes Thee more endearing, For well I know 'tis love has made Thee poor.
8.
There was a lady and a lady gay Of children she had three She sent them away to the north country For to learn their grammar-y They had not been there very long Scarcely six months and a day 'Till death, cold death, came hasting along And stole those babes away It was just about Old Christmas time The nights being cold and clear She looked and she saw her three little babes Come running home to her She set a table both long and wide And on it she put bread and wine "Come eat, come drink, my three little babes Come eat, come drink of mine!" "We want none of your bread, Mother Neither do we want your wine For yonder stands our Savior dear And to Him we must resign "Green grass grows over our heads, Mother Cold clay is under our feet And every tear you shed for us It wets our winding sheet"
9.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night All seated on the ground The angel of the Lord came down And glory shone around
10.
Children go and I will send thee Where shall I send thee? Lord, I shall send thee twelve by twelve Well, twelve was the twelve disciples And eleven was the eleven riders And ten was the Ten Commandments And nine was the nine that dressed so fine And eight was the eight that stood at the gate And seven was the seven that came down from heaven And six was the six that couldn't get fixed And five was the Gospel writers And four was the four come a-knockin' at the door And three was the Hebrew children And two was the Paul and Silas And one was the Holy Baby Was born (by) to the Virgin Mary Was wrapped in the hollow of a clawhorn Was laid in the hollow manger Was born, born, Lordy, born in Bethlehem
11.
Children, my subject this morning: and He was born in a manger When I'm thinking about Christmas Day And think about the day [accept that] Christ was born Because He was born in a manger. Sing, I want you to open your mouth and sing one verse If Christ, in the morning, born in, oh yes, I believe Well, well I, I said He's born in a manger, He's born low. A whole lot of people out there boast about where they's born. Doesn't matter where you was born, but just who was born there When you think about George Washington, the president of the United States When you begin to think about Abraham Lincoln The one who we once spoke of as freeing three, four million and a half Negro men. Ah, it not a matter of where they's born But it was a matter of when they's born and who was born. So Jesus was born in a manger And He had a poor father and that poor mother And when I say father, I have reference to Joseph in this world We know that God was the Father We know that Mary was His earthly mother We realize that He came through fourteen generations And born by the Virgin Mary Wrapped in swaddling clothes But he was born in a manger Born so low, every child of God can get on board Doesn't matter where you borned at May be born in the alley but you ought to be borned again Ah, glory to God and the empire [evermore] You talk about the time He born The angelic host came from Zion and wrapped the wings in… And I heard 'em singing They sung in mid-air They kept on singing until the shepherd boys heard They kept on singing till the wise mens got on that beast They kept on singing till old Herod got trouble in mind They kept on singing the month that your Savior was born in Born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloth And then when I say He's born in a manger then jumped from the manger to the King of Emmanuel And come to be King of Kings and Lord of all.
12.
Some people use the wrong way, the wrong way, the wrong way Some people use the wrong way to celebrate Christmas Day On the twenty-fifth of December 1928 (it's a national issue...) of heaven to the world that it's Jesus' birthday Some people who work every day and draws good money every pay and here is what the same people said I wanna spend my money and have my way While the church is praying on Christmas Day other people are roaming the streets and drinking their soul away
13.
Boys, here come that killer, you oughta know just how I feel Santa Claus, won't you please hear my lonesome plea Santa Claus, Santa Claus, won't you please hear my lonesome plea I don't want nothin' for Christmas but my baby back to me You know I loved you baby, that is why we could not get along You know I loved you baby, that is why we could not get along But someday you gon' be sorry that you ever done me wrong Oh Lord it's near Christmas time and I want to see Santa Claus Oh Lord it's near Christmas time and I want to see Santa Claus If you don't bring my baby, swear I'll break all the laws Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Santa Claus, I'm down on my bended knee I don't want nothin' for Christmas but my baby back to me
14.
Aw, love makes me treat you the way I do Say, ain't I good to you? You know there's nothing too good for a girl that's true Oh baby, you know I'm good to you! Fur coat for Christmas an' a diamond ring Big padded coat, most everything And it's love makes me treat you the way I do Oh baby ain't I good to you!
15.
Hey Bessie, Christmas here! It's here, hurray for Christmas! Christmas comes but once a year, and to me it brings good cheer, And to everyone who likes wine and beer Happy New Year is after that, happy I'll be, that is a fact That is why I like to hear Folks that say that Christmas is here Christmas bells will ring real soon, even in the afternoon There'll be no chimes shall ring at the Christmas Ball Everyone must watch their step, or they will lose their rep Everybody full of pep at the Christmas Ball Grab your partner one an' all, keep on dancin' 'round the hall And there's no one to fall, don't you dare to stall If your partner don't act fair, don't worry, there's some more over there Takin' a chance everywhere at the Christmas Ball
16.
Now look here, Sue, you sure is tight Just found that out? You ain' never treat sweet Papa Butter right Still you run around here asking for this and that Why shouldn't I? Tell me what in the devil is you drivin' at? My cheapskatin' Papa, you got your gall Is that so? Why you never bring nothin' when you call? Still you get hot because I don't pet Yeah! Stop your complainin', Butter, why you's all wet Look here! What is it? Papa ain' no Santa Claus And your mama sure ain' no Christmas tree Look here Mama what's mine sure ain't yours And what is mine belong to me Oh, I see! Something for nothing seem to be your plan Yes Sir! You need to get you a monkey 'cause you don't need no man Well now days, Butter, when you want something that's nice Yes? Why, you can't get it if you haven't got the price Now each night you keep me outta doors Well, you sure ain' gonna get my key Why? Why? Well now pay me for my goods and you can get your fill Now let me know what I'm buying and I certainly will Why? Because Papa ain' no Santa Claus And your mama sure ain' no Christmas tree Look here! What is it? I said Papa ain' no Santa Claus And your mama sure ain' no Christmas tree, no sir Now, Sue, you know I don't pay no money down Well I do business strictly COD Oh, now from now on Mama I done put this down under my foot That so? You do a lot of talking but you never put Why you just got to get along the best you can Why? Because I'm one gal who never talks installment plan Now there's a lot of chops in other stores But where can you get good chops free? Anywhere, anywhere Well now in my market I don't put no samples out Look here, you know it ain' New Years and let me know what it's all about 'Cause Papa ain't no Santa Claus And your mama sure ain't no Christmas tree Play it boy, play it, play it, stay right with it! Let's get low, let's get low! Come here, come here, Sue! All last summer you was runnin' with Brother Bill Now this morning you come up asking for a Christmas gift Papa ain' no Santa Claus And your mama sure ain't no Christmas tree, no sir!
17.
I woke up Christmas morning, went out to get my morning's mail I woke up Christmas morning, went out to get my morning's mail A letter sent from Georgia, the postmark said Atlanta Jail In a mean old jailhouse 'cause he broke them Georgia laws In a mean old jailhouse 'cause he broke them Georgia laws New Year he won't be here, 'cause death will be his Santa Claus My man's so deep in trouble the white folks couldn't get him free My man's so deep in trouble the white folks couldn't get him free He stole a hog (horse?) the charge was murder in the first degree Christmas bells are ringing, sounded like my funeral song Christmas bells are ringing, sounds jus' like my funeral song My poor man done left here, I know I ain't gonna be here long Ain't never had a Christmas with trouble like this before Ain't never had a Christmas with trouble like this before Sleigh bells are my death bells, hard luck's knocking at my door Next Christmas I won't be here to hear no bunch of bad, bad news Next Christmas I won't be here to get no bunch of bad, bad news Just mark on my tombstone, "Died with the Christmas Morning Blues"
18.
The blues come fallin', they fall like drops of rain The blues come fallin', they fall like drops of rain I've got to spend my Christmas locked up in jail again In jail on Christmas day again, ain't that a pain! Oh baby, baby, baby, ain't that a pain! Oh Santa, Santa, Santa, come here to me in jail Oh Santa, Santa, Santa, come here to me in jail Bring me a Christmas present, someone to go my bail Jail on Christmas day, again ain't that a pain! Oh baby, baby, baby, ain't that a pain! This food here, Santa, it ain't fit to eat This food here. Santa, it ain't fit to eat Won't you come and bring me a plate of turkey meat? In jail on Christmas day again, ain't that a pain! Oh baby, baby, baby, ain't that a pain! The jailhouse blues have got me, they've got the best of me The jailhouse blues have got me, they've got the best of me My baby doesn't love me, I got no Christmas tree In jail on Christmas day again, ain't that a pain! Oh baby, baby, baby, ain't that a pain!
19.
On Christmas mornin' the overnight rum had me yawnin' On Christmas mornin' the overnight rum had me yawnin' I met a bamboo band on the street 'Cause the rhythm was hot and sweet, they were shoutin': John John Cobo, take a stick and you knock down your brother Take a stick and you knock down your brother And you take a stick and you knock down your father John John Cobo, take a stick and you knock down your brother I can remember that twenty-fifth of December On the old man's birthday, everyone were merry upon gay Women with their dresses so tight, shaking and hitting out black is white Fellows dressed in short pants while the women showed the bamboo dance I admired Gwendolyn, how she was waggin' she dustbin I had to bawl, "Gwen, you're edging me teeth Rollin' that t'ing all over the street!"
20.
Christmas time will soon be over Christmas time will soon be over Christmas time will soon be over Then we'll join the band Come on gals, let's go up river Come on gals, let's go up river Come on gals, let's go up river Then we'll join the band
21.
22.
Good mornin', people, I wish you a Happy New Year Good mornin', people, I wish you a Happy New Year I'm so glad, people, so glad that I'm here. The New Year has come, I'm still feelin' the same ol' way The New Year has come, I'm still feelin' the same ol' way I'm changin' my way of livin', that's all I have to say Play it for me till I get young again! This is New Year, people, the year 1936 This is New Year, people, the year 1936 I'll tell all you people I must get my business fixed So today I'm going to tell you just what I'm going to do So today I'm going to tell you just what I'm going to do Becuase this is one New Year, baby, I ain't gon' be worried with you
23.
This is Happy New Year ain' gon' worry me to death This is Happy New Year ain' gon' worry me to death Don't think about Christmas 'cause Christmas just now left Whoo, ain't it grand? Ain't it a merry day? Oh, ain't it grand, we the peoples, ain't it a merry day? Think about Christmas gone and New Year's on its way Yes, get it boy. Don't stop for nothing now! Wear it out, tear it up, it don't make no difference! I got a number, man, I got it for myself I got a number an' I got it for myself New Year done come and Christmas just now left Just gotta play it a while right here, boy Don't forget it now, hear me good! Whoo, New Year, that's the time I wanna see Whoo, New Year, time I wanna see I ain't got nobody, New Year to have with me
24.
Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way Bells on bob tails ring, making spirits bright What fun it is to ride and sing this joyous song tonight Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh, hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh A day or two ago I thought I'd take a ride And soon Miss Fanny Bright was seated by my side The horse was lean and lank, misfortune seemed his lot We got into a drifted bank and we, we got upsot

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"Drawing heavily from early American folk, jazz, and blues (and incorporating classic holiday songs from the Ukraine, Italy, Trinidad, and Puerto Rico), the tracks included here date from 1917 to 1959, and represent an impressive spectrum of vocal styles, stretching from four-note sacred harp hooting to brash, mid-century gospel. Consequently, 'Where Will You Be Christmas Day?' is compelling simply as an anthropological peek, a crackly glimpse at secular traditions-in-the-making-- but all Smithsonian-geekiness aside, the music itself is more than satisfying, loaded with plenty of fresh, regional glee." - Amanda Petrusich, Pitchfork

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released October 12, 2004

Produced by: Steven Lance Ledbetter, Dick Spottswood

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