In a town that touts itself as a music Mecca, I hope you have a song in your heart this month.
Christmas without music would sort of be like a kiss without a squeeze.
The joy, the hope, the happiness of what Christmas means, will be heard in the voices of those who sing this holiday season.
I have no problem with Clarksdale celebrating the Blues for 11 months out of the year, but let’s smile and lift our voices in glorious song this month.
Caroling
Do you remember going caroling?
I’ve done it in three states with family and friends. Not so much in Clarksdale.
I can remember going caroling at an early age with my church. I mean single-digit age, too.
We would usually go around to the homes of the elderly on Sunday night before Christmas.
You know the drill. These were the men and women who had been faithful to their church for years but have come to a point in life where they don’t get out on cold winter nights.
As a teenager I remember getting on the church bus with the youth choir. At this age you began to notice there were girls in the choir and if you were lucky you got to sit by your favorite and then stand next to her as you sang carols.
Ah, there is something about Christmas that is so perfect for young people!
Our church in Texas would carry my family and about a dozen others around to the nursing homes to sing carols. Every church had a special night that they went during the two weeks leading up to Christmas. We also had a list of people to meet and visit with. This was more than a song or two and head out the door. We sang and the nursing home usually had refreshments and plenty of seats for us to sit and have an extended visit.
Cantatas
Every church in Clarksdale will have special music this Christmas.
My brother and sisters at Oakhurst Baptist will host “City of Hope” a 6 p.m., Sunday at the church on West Second.
Brother Sammy and a combined community choir have been practicing since late summer. I invite you to attend.
The music will mostly be songs you recognize sung by people you recognize. And if you don’t know a Christmas tune or a lot of people in Clarksdale, this is a great place to start.
And yes, there will be other churches in Clarksdale – lots of churches – that have a Christmas cantata over the next few weeks.
Let me urge you to attend one. I dare say nothing will give you the true Christmas Spirit like a Christmas musical sung by joyous voices.
Contemporary
It ain’t Christmas until I hear Bruce Springsteen sing “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town!”
I’m talking about the full 4-minute and 28-second version.
If you see the little white truck whiz past this holiday season with a white boy singing at the top of his lungs, that’s me and Bruce enjoying a Christmas tune.
Yes, Feliz Navidad, Jingle Bells and even Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer will be sung by yours truly this Christmas.
On a more serious note, I can remember many Christmas Eves when we gathered in the living room of either Sara’s momma’s house or my grandmother’s house and sang Christmas hymns.
My Daddy was a world-class tenor and Sara’s momma could play a guitar by ear. I’ve been in a room with more than four generations of folk laughing and singing Christmas tunes. We have also put our kids to sleep by singing Christmas songs in a darkened room lit only by Christmas tree lights.
Forget the gifts, the food and holiday festivities – when you can humbly sing “Silent Night” on Christmas Eve you have found the real meaning of Christmas
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. He loves to hear what comes out of people’s mouths all year round, but especially at Christmas. Call him at 662-627-2201 and sing him a tune.
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