EIGHT CHRISTMAS CLASSICS
“May your days be merry and white, And may all your Christmases be white.” From the song ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby T here is difference between Christmas carols and Christmas songs. Carols, which we all grew up singing and listening to, are devotional. They are sung in the churches, prayer gatherings and houses by carol groups. For example, ‘Silent Night’, ‘Jingle Bells’, etc. But, Christmas songs are the typical songs – romantic, sad or happy - set against Christmas backdrop. Like George Michael’s famous ‘Last Christmas’ (WHAM) or Elvis Presley’s (Cover) ‘Blue Christmas’. And, there are some, like ‘Mary Did you Know’, ‘Mistletoe and Wine’, ‘Feliz Navidad’ and ‘Drummer Boy’ etc. – yes, they are a mix of Christmas carols and songs. Like most kids, I, too, grew up in my hometown singing Christmas carols in Konkani. Here, in Mumbai – in the early eighties – I would listen to Jim Reeves’ classic collection of twelve Christmas songs and carols. But, as...