Mykola Leontovych · Carol of the Bells (1916) (arr. Peter Wilhousky)

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, "Throw cares away"
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song
With joyful ring, all caroling
One seems to hear, words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale
Gaily they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
On-on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home

Shawn Kirchner · Brightest and Best (2004)

Hail the bless’d mom, see the great Mediator
down from the regions of glory descend!
Shepherds go worship the babe in the manger,
lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid.
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining,
low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker, and Monarch, and Savior of all.

Shall we not yield him, in costly devotion,
odours of Edom and off’rings divine,
Gems of the mountains and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

Eric Whitacre · Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening (2000)

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Eric Whitacre · The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus (2017)

1. The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus

In Baltimore there lived a boy,
He wasn’t anybody’s joy.
Although his name was Jabez Dawes,
His character was full of flaws.

In school he never led his classes,
He hid old ladies’ reading glasses,
His mouth was open when he chewed,
And elbows to the table glued.
He stole the milk of hungry kittens,
And walked through doors marked NO ADMITTANCE.
He said he acted thus because
There wasn’t any Santa Claus.

There isn’t any Santa Claus!

Another trick that tickled Jabez
Was crying BOO at little babies.
He brushed his teeth, they said in town,
Sideways instead of up and down.
Yet people pardoned every sin,
And viewed his antics with a grin,
Till they were told by Jabez Dawes,
“There isn’t any Santa Claus!”

Like whooping cough, from child to child,
He sped to spread the rumor wild:
“Sure as my name is Jabez Dawes
There isn’t any Santa Claus!”
Slunk like a weasel or a marten
Through nursery and kindergarten,
Whispering low to ev’ry tot,
“There isn’t any, no there’s not!”

“There isn’t any, there is no Santa Claus.”
He said, “There isn’t any, not there’s not! There isn’t any Santa!”
Poor Jabez Dawes, poor Jabez Dawes
Said it because he’s full of flaws.
Poor Jabez Dawes, he said that there wouldn’t, couldn’t ever be a Santa.

Poor Jabez Dawes, boy full of flaws,
Broke all the laws ‘bout Santa Claus.
Poor Jabez Dawes acted because
there would not, could not be a Santa Claus!

2. The children wept all Christmas Eve

The children wept all Christmas Eve
And Jabez chortled up his sleeve.
No infant dared hang up his stocking
For fear of Jabez’ ribald mocking.
He sprawled on his untidy bed,
Fresh malice dancing in his head,
When presently with scalp a-tingling,
Jabez heard a distant jingling;
He heard the crunch of sleigh and hoof
Crisply alighting on the roof.

What good to rise and bar the door?
A shower of soot was on the floor.
What was beheld by Jabez Dawes?
The fireplace full of Santa Claus!

3. Then Jabez fell upon his knees

Then Jabez fell upon his knees
With cries of “Don’t,” and “Pretty please.”
He howled, “I don’t know where you read it,
But anyhow, I never said it!”

“Jabez,” replied the angry saint,
“It isn’t I, it’s you that ain’t.
Although there is a Santa Claus,
There isn’t, wasn’t, couldn’t ever be a Jabez Dawes!”

Said Jabez then with impudent vim,
“Oh, yes there is; and I am him!
Your magic don’t scare me, it doesn’t”—
And suddenly he found he wasn’t!

From grimy feet to grimy locks,
Jabez became a Jack-in-the-box,
An ugly toy with springs unsprung,
Forever sticking out his tongue.

The neighbors heard his mournful squeal;
They searched for him, but not with zeal.
No trace was found of Jabez Dawes,
Which led to thunderous applause,
And people drank a loving cup
And went and hung their stockings up.

All you who sneer at Santa Claus,
Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes,
The saucy boy who mocked the saint.
Donner and Blitzen licked off all his paint.

Eric Whitacre · The Gift of the Magi (2019)

1. Long Ago (Chorus)

Long ago three wise men sought
A winter star due west.
Being first, and doubtless wise,
Their gifts were doubtless best.

Here now a tale of innocence,
Retold in simplest rhyme,
A man and wife who loved, and learned
To give at Christmastime.

2. Did Someone Say Coffee (Della and Jim)

Della sits at a small mirror, combing her long, beautiful hair.

Della: Jim… My darling… I think it might snow tonight.
Jim: (Off stage, in the other room) Della, have you seen my watch?
Della: Wouldn’t it be magical if it snowed for Christmas?
Jim: (Offstage) It must be a quarter-to-eight already.
Della: Jim, I made us some coffee.

Jim enters.

Jim: Did someone say coffee?
Della: Someone did. Good morning, Mister Young.
Jim: Good morning, Mrs. Young.
Della: I like it when you say that.
Jim: I like it too. Have you seen my watch?
Della: Maybe.
Jim: Maybe?
Della: Close your eyes.
Jim: Please, Della.
Della: Now hold out your hands.
Jim: Don’t be a tease, Della.
Della: Now open.
Jim: (Looking at the watch) Seven forty-six. Right on time, every time.
Della: Jim, I was thinking: tomorrow morning we could go ice skating. If we get there early enough it’s free. Just you and me on Christmas morning.
Jim: Della, wait. They… they offered me a double shift tomorrow.
Della: Oh Jim. On Christmas Day?
Jim: I know, I know. But it pays time and half, so I couldn’t say no.
Della: No, of course not. Come, sit down and let’s have that coffee.
Jim: It’s almost eight, Della.
Della: So?
Jim: So I’ll be late, Della.
Della: And they can wait, Jim. After all the time you’ve given them
they can give you five minutes with your wife.

3. A Little More (Della and Jim)

Jim: It’s such a hard city,
With such terrible weather,
And we keep working and working,
The days disappear.
And you’re such a good woman,
Della: Go on, go on.
Jim: You’re so thoughtful, so smart,
Della: Now that’s true.
Jim: And I want only the best for you Della.
Della: And I’ve got it right here.
Jim: I don’t mind working hard, you know.
It’s what we should do — work hard.
But maybe, with as hard as we work…
Just a little more money,
Just a little bit more.
We could buy a new flat
Della: With a nursery?
Jim: Of course, and get off the ground floor.
Just a little more breathing room,
(Both): In a place of our own,
Jim: We should have what we need
without working our hands to the bone.
Della: Another cup, Mr. Young?
Jim: Della, please.
It’s such a beautiful city,
‘Specially this time of year,
And we’ll keep working and working,
Building a life.
(Both): Together.
Della: And you’re such a dream of a husband,
Jim: Go on, go on.
Della: So dashing, so smart,
Jim: Now that’s true!
Della: And you’re my family now, Jim, forever my husband…
Jim: My beautiful wife…
(Both): Always together!

Della: I feel the same as you Jim,
It’s what we should do — work hard.
But maybe,
Just maybe,
With as hard as we work…
Just a little more money,
Just a little bit more.
Every night we’ll have steak
Jim: And martinis?
Della: Of course, on a dining room table for four.

(Both): Just a little bit more of the good life,
Makes a life that is worthy to live,
Jim: It’s not asking too much to be paid
For the lives that we give.

The bell chimes eight o’clock..

Jim: (Looks at watch) What time do you start today?
Della: Not ‘till nine. Go — I’ll stay and clean up.
Jim: Okay.
Della: Jim… don’t forget your scarf.
Jim: Thank you.
Della: Listen — I’ve got an idea. Since we can’t have Christmas tomorrow, let’s do it tonight. There’s still some turkey in the ice box.

He lingers for a moment, touching her hair.

Jim: Oh Della, you deserve so much more than this.
Della: Oh Jim, anywhere with you.

4. Almost Time (Chorus)

A busy city street, shoppers frantically making last-minute purchases.

Chorus:
Time. Time. Time.
It’s almost time,
It’s almost time,
It’s almost time for
Christmas!

It’s almost time for Christmas!
Just one more day ‘till Christmas!
And now we gotta go! (Go go go go go go).

Morning
Angels adorning
Offer a warning
Time to get the
Presents you waited to buy.

Noelling
Carols compelling
Shopkeepers yelling
Selling you what-
Ever you shoulda been buying way back in July.

Merry
Prices are scary
Shoppers are wary
Dashing away.

Jolly
Waiting is folly
Gimme that holly
Golly gee we’re
Finally here at the very last day.

Before Christmas!
And the bustle never ends.
Christmas! Christmas!
And the hustle never ends.

We’re so
Cheerful
Suddenly fearful
Verging on tearful
Minutes disappear at a pace beyond swift.

Festive
Something suggestive
Not indigestive
Searching high and
Low for the ultimate gift.

Joyous
Lenders enjoy us
Vendors annoy us
Yapping away

Frantic
Something romantic
Something gigantic
If there is an
End of the world then today’s
the penultimate day!

It’s almost Christmas!
And the magic day arrives!
Christmas! Christmas!
Yuletide pressure ruins lives!

So… we gotta go! (Go go go go go go).

5. The Perfect Gift (Chorus)

Della enters, walking amongst the shoppers, looking longingly in the store windows.

For months and months young Della’s dreamed
Of what she’d buy for Jim.
A present worthy of the love
And life she has with him.

And though they live by humblest means,
Her heart outshines her thrift,
For there amongst the well-heeled crowd
She finds the perfect gift.

6. The Perfect Gift (Aria)

Della suddenly stops in front of a store window, her eye catching a gold watch fob.

Della:
Ah!
A beautiful chain for his watch,
Made of gold!
Can you imagine how nice it would look on him?
Can you imagine?

When he’s wearing his vest,
Fully dressed for the day,
It’d hang from his pocket just so —
Not too low —
And even the wealthiest guest in the store
Impressed by the chain as they walk through the door
Would say,
“Now that’s the way one should invest.”
And that’s how you know
That gold is the best.

His day’d be full,
So his mind’d be full
Talking to customers,
Much to discuss.
But every time he checked the time
He’d think of me,
Of us.

And the gold!
It’s perfect,
Just perfect.

Salesman: Can I help you young lady?
Della: Oh no, thank you. I’m just looking.
Salesman: Looking at this watch chain, I see. She’s a beauty alright. Let’s see. Only twenty dollars, miss.
Della: Oh. Thank you, but I’ve already got a gift for my husband.
Salesman: Well, maybe next year. Merry Christmas.
Della: Merry Christmas.

Twenty dollars!
That’s rent for a month!
That’s bread for a year!
If I worked two more jobs
And then stood here and begged ‘till next Christmas
I couldn’t afford it,
We couldn’t afford it.
Jim would have adored it.

Well, maybe next year…
But the gold,
How it shined,
So simple,
Refined.
This kind of a gift takes a
Lifetime to find.
The kind of a gift that has meaning,
That kind of a gift that has weight,
The kind to be cherished at eighty years old,
Made of gold!

It’s perfect,
Simply perfect.
It would have been perfect for him,
For Jim.

7. An Unexpected Turn (Chorus)

The bells of Christmas peal and sound
A hollow, aching chord.
Each silver chime reminds her of
The things she can’t afford.

And while the gift costs more than
She might ever hope to earn,
Della’s day’s about to take
An unexpected turn.

8. In the Salon

Della works in a hair salon owned by Sheila. Inside it is bustling with woman, half of them clients, half of them employees.

Sheila: You’re late.
Della: I’m sorry.
Sheila: Yeah, I’m sorry too. Mrs. Sinclair has been waiting for you.
Della: Sorry, who?
Sheila: Surely you remember our Mrs. Sinclair? The lovely, sophisticate Mrs. Sinclair. You colored her hair once, a beautiful hue.
Della: Oh yes, now I remember.
Mrs. Sinclair: It turned blue.
Sheila: But today she’s come by for a different affair.
Della: Oh? What can I do for you, Mrs. Sinclair.
Mrs. Sinclair: Well, I’ll just say it: I want your hair.
Della: Sorry?
Mrs. Sinclair: Your hair. I need it. For Christmas.
Della: For Christmas?
Mrs. Sinclair: For Christmas. A time to keep family peace. I can’t stand my sister. So the hair’s for my niece. For Christmas, a holiday. I’ve come to abhor. I’ll give you ten dollars.
Della: Ten dollars?
Mrs. Sinclair: Not one penny more.
Della: It’s not for sale.
Mrs. Sinclair: Everything is for sale, my dear. Make it twelve.
Della: That’s all that a woman like you can afford?
Mrs. Sinclair: Ah… negotiations. And.. I’m bored. Fifteen dollars then. A person of your worth might call that ‘a steal?’
Della: Make it twenty bucks even, lady, and you’ve got a deal.
Mrs. Sinclair: Yes. Fine. I’ll come back at two. Make sure that it’s clean. And not blue.

Sheila starts preparing Della to wash and cut the hair.

Sheila: (Whistles) Twenty dollars. (Use the twenty dollars motif). You got moxie kid, I’ll give you that much. Promise you won’t blow it on presents and such.
Della: I’m going to buy the perfect gift for Jim. A gold chain for his watch!
Sheila: (Sighs) There’s a sucker born every minute. Listen:

9. Christmas is Good for Business

Sheila: People will defend
Why they overspend,
Try to justify the spending
As a means to an end,
They tend to wallow in the guilt
And then they overextend,
Pretend the present that they’re sending
To a family friend
Won’t offend,
Might amend,
Might begin to pay a dividend.

They think ‘my family’s all I got’,
They think ‘I better spend a lot,
They write a letter to a debtor who’ll lend ‘em a lot,
But while they try and buy a friend,
What they will never comprehend,
Is that the game’ll never end
Because you can’t.
Buy.
Friends.

Chorus
But I don’t care!
I just cut the hair!
And then I take my share!
‘Cause Christmas is good for business.

Della: But I’m giving Jim the chain because I love him.
Sheila: Oh my sweet, summer child.

Girls, let’s go…
Every year,
Holiday cheer,
Becomes exasperation,
desperation,
Holiday fear.
You see ‘em shoppin’ ‘till they’re droppin’
See the dollar disappear.
Spendin’ money on their honey
While they’re sheddin’ a tear.
Oh dear,
Cashier,
Severe,
She’s here,
To let you know that it appears that your account’s in arrear,
Gotta ration ‘cause the crashin’ of the company’s near,
Still they’re buyin’ while they’re cryin’
‘Sayonara career’!
Reindeer?
Pain, dear.
You gotta use your brain, dear.
The season is the reason
That the people go insane, dear.
— Holiday magic if
I’m being sincere:
Is when the
Big.
Checks.
Clear.

Chorus
But I don’t mind!
These poor saps are blind!
And now my pocket’s lined!
‘Cause Christmas is good for business.

And so your daughter gets a locket
And your son gets Davy Crocket
And the price is such a shock it
Seems like you are drinkin’ rocket
Fuel.
But believe me I don’t knock it
‘Cause the money in your pocket
Is now sittin’ in my pocket.
And you’re sittin’ taking stock
And thinkin’:
I’m a fool! (chorus: A Christmas fool!)

So now the buyers come a-walkin’
And the sellers come a-talkin’
And the registers are rockin’
And the stores are overstockin’
And the time’s a-tick-a-tockin’
And the workers are a-clockin’
And the parents are a hawkin’
And they’re fillin’ every stockin’
And-a me I’m just a-mockin’
While these idiots keep flockin’
And I’m gawkin’ at my money
Lockin’ up my money,
Shockin’ what my money’s
Gonna buy me on the first of the year!
(The sales are here!)

Chorus
So let it snow!
And I’ll collect my dough!
’Cause now it’s me they owe!

’Cause Christmas is good for business!
Dee-licious!
Christmas is good for business!
That’s right missus!
Christmas is good for —
I better buy a little bit
To buy a little bit o’ buy a better
— Business!

(Sheila cuts Della’s hair on the final stinger).

10. Della Hurries Home (Chorus)

Della buys the gold chain and hurries home. Once she arrives she anxiously waits for Jim to walk through the door.

Della buys the chain,
And suddenly the world seems full of Christmas!
A glittering refrain,
The lights along the city street sing Christmas!

She hurries home,
She lights the candles, waits beside the door.
For once their humble flat
Feels fit for kings and anything but poor.

The perfect gift,
The perfect gift.

11. Exchanging Gifts (Della, Jim, Chorus)

Jim enters.

Jim: Della? My Darling? I’m home for Christmas.

Della enters.

Della: Did someone say Christmas?
Jim: Someone did!
Della: Good evening, Mr. Young.
Jim: Good evening, Missus Young.
Della: I like it when you say that.
Jim: I like it too. Why is it so dark in here?
Della: Ready?
Jim: Ready.
Della: I’ve got you a present…
Jim: Please Della.
Della: …so hold out your hands…
Jim: Don’t be a tease Della.
Della: …and close your eyes,
Now open.
It’s a gold chain for your watch!
Isn’t it perfect?
Jim: I don’t know what to say.
Della: You’re wondering how I paid for it.
Jim: No, it’s just that…
Della: Close your eyes again.
Jim: Della.
Della: Shh…

She takes the scarf off.

Della: Twenty dollars! That’s what they gave me for my hair! Isn’t it grand?
Jim: Oh, Della…
Della: You don’t like it! Don’t worry, it’ll grow back, you’ll see.
Jim: It’s not that, sweetheart, I promise. It’s… here, open your present.

She opens it. Inside are a collection of beautiful, ornate combs.

Della: The combs for my hair. You remembered me looking at them.
Jim: That’s right
Della: But they were so expensive.
Jim: I know. I sold my watch, Della. To buy the combs.
Della: Oh Jim.
Jim: Merry Christmas, Della,
Della: Merry Christmas, my Jim.
Together: Merry Christmas…

Della: …my husband.
Jim: …my wife.

Della: Look Jim. It’s snowing. Isn’t it perfect?

They pretend to skate together, dancing in each other’s arms.

12. A Bright, Distant Star (Chorus)

A bright, distant star,
Drew wise men from afar,
They gave without withhold,
But now it can be told,
The greatest gift that one can give,
Cannot be bought or sold,
For selfless love is love whose worth
Surpasses any gold.

Merry Christmas!