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Morbius

(816 posts)

168. Seek out Excelsis (A Dark Noel).

Wed Nov 26, 2025, 11:53 PM

22 hrs ago

It's a CD that came out in 1995. I have it and treasure it. Not all the songs are good or even listenable, but where it hits, it hits hard.

Welcome Christmas - Love Spirals Downwards
Channukah, Oh Channukah - Black Tape for a Blue Girl
A Winter Wassail - Faith and the Muse
Oh Come All Ye Faithful - FuchiKachis Ethu
Carol of the Bells - This Ascension

Unforgettable. If you choose to seek one out on YouTube, start with the Wassail.

Of late, I really like the version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Annie Lennox. And there will always be a place in my heart for Al Yankovic's Christmas at Ground Zero. My favorite Christmas carol is Adeste Fideles, but not all versions are tolerable.

I've always hated Jingle Bells. There is no good version.

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debm55

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Well , they started the Christmas songs around here,24/7. Can you name the best and the worst Christmas songs. Mine are [View all] debm55 Tuesday OP

Grandma got run over by a reindeer. -- worst. Ilsa Tuesday #1

Thank you very much, lisa, I agree with your choices. debm55 Yesterday #20

"Sleigh Ride" gets my vote for best! FM123 Tuesday #2

FM123, thank you very much. I have many bests and "Sleigh Ride" is one of them. debm55 Yesterday #21

...where the word Christmas is never used. Grins 11 hrs ago #180

OK, here goes. Ocelot II Tuesday #3

Very well said. Big Blue Marble Yesterday #17

Hahahaha! Thanks! Ocelot II Yesterday #51

Thank you very much, Ocelot II, I agree with you post. debm55 Yesterday #22

I was going to say "Silent Night" as the worst as well genxlib Yesterday #26

My 2nd grade teacher taught our class to sing "Silent Night" in German, don't know why but I liked that version... wcmagumba Yesterday #103

The original is German, so the words fit the melody better. Ocelot II Yesterday #158

That makes sense. Couldn't remember from 2nd grade but Mrs. Pettus probably told us... wcmagumba 23 hrs ago #162

We sang "Oh, Christmas Tree" in German Grins 11 hrs ago #178

Another favorite electric_blue68 9 hrs ago #182

But when it is sung by Dinah Washington... Tom Dyer Yesterday #107

One exception... Grins 11 hrs ago #181

That was very funny description of your Silent Night Christmas Eve Mass experience! electric_blue68 Yesterday #148

Hate Little Drummer Boy but love that counterpoint(?) David Bowie did w/ Bing Crosby rurallib 3 hrs ago #187

Best - Jethro Tull - A Christmas Song Rigpa108 Tuesday #4

Thank you very much, Rigpa 108 debm55 Yesterday #23

Best: Someday at Christmas, Stevie Wonder SheltieLover Yesterday #5

Thank you, SheltieLover. I so enjoy anything by Stevie Wonder. debm55 Yesterday #24

Oh how I love that song! FM123 Yesterday #27

Sadly radio stations avoid playing it...patriarchy, you know. SheltieLover Yesterday #46

Never heard this. Very nice. electric_blue68 Yesterday #149

Glad you enjoyed! SheltieLover Yesterday #151

Heh. electric_blue68 Yesterday #159

oppression of religious minorities is well under way nt msongs Yesterday #6

Thank you for your concern.msongs. I am so glad that you selected my thread to post on. debm55 Yesterday #113

My best DBoon Yesterday #7

Thank you very much, DBoon. Lovely song. debm55 Yesterday #25

My current fave and second fave. amerikat Yesterday #8

Thank you very much for your wonderful choices. debm55 Yesterday #36

I love xmas music, i also loathe a lot it as well. Coventina Yesterday #9

Thank you very much, Coventina. I also don't like the 12 Days of Chirstmas. too boring, I like the tradition carols also debm55 Yesterday #38

I will always enjoy Twelve Days of Christmas because of one event: A Christmas Parade yellowdogintexas Yesterday #64

Now that version is not boring, thank you for posting that. Thank you , very much. Yellowdogintexas. debm55 Yesterday #75

Oh, that was very fun and clever! electric_blue68 Yesterday #150

Best: Carol of the Bells. Worst: too many to name Hassler Yesterday #10

Thank you very much Hassler. Love, Love, Love the Carol of the Bells in any version. There are a lot for me then debm55 Yesterday #40

Have you seen the Ukrainian versions on YouTube? They are beautiful yellowdogintexas Yesterday #70

Dyakuna. yellowdogintexas. As an Ukrainian American. I thank you very much for the history of the Carol of the Bells debm55 Yesterday #74

TY! electric_blue68 Yesterday #141

OK, this is weird, but here goes av8rdave Yesterday #11

I agree with you, av8rdave. Your best are great choices. and your worst , I absolutley agree with. It's a stinker. debm55 Yesterday #42

My favorite is a good majestic instrumental version of O Come All Ye Faithful. 3catwoman3 Yesterday #12

I love memories like your piano guy Nittersing Yesterday #35

Thank you very much 3catwoman3 I love the grand instrumental songs also, I still have to find the The Christmas Shoes. debm55 Yesterday #43

I would recommend not wasting your time listening to it. 3catwoman3 Yesterday #59

Thank you 3catwoman. That is a very depressing song. I don't need depressing now. How could that in heaven's name be debm55 Yesterday #60

Patton Oswalt's comedy routine on the Christmas Shoes is hilarious though. Wiz Imp Yesterday #123

Christmas Shoes is the most depressing syrupy dreck ever! Diamond_Dog Yesterday #139

I Believe in Father Christmas. It is a beautiful and meaning song, Thank you for posting it Diamond_Dog. debm55 Yesterday #143

There are some I love to sing with a caroling group. Permanut Yesterday #13

Thank you very much, Permanut. Beautiful songs/carols. debm55 Yesterday #44

The worst Christmas song, the theme to "Die Hard". marble falls Yesterday #14

Thank you very much,marble falls. I have never seen the movie. I guess that is why some consider it a Christmas movie. debm55 Yesterday #45

Back in the early DU days, there were some angry arguments about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not ... marble falls Yesterday #112

Thank you marble falls, I didn't go into the thread because I didn't see the Movie. but i do remember a number of thread debm55 Yesterday #120

Special effects, lots of shooting, Bruce Willis and Christmas: what more does one need? No watching necessary. marble falls 13 hrs ago #171

Thank you marble falls and have a wonder Thanksgiving. debm55 12 hrs ago #173

Very Best: Grown Up Christmas List MorbidButterflyTat Yesterday #15

Thank you very much, MorbidButterfly. Great carol. debm55 Yesterday #65

I'll give you two of my favorites moniss Yesterday #16

Thank you very much, moniss . Both beautiful songs. debm55 Yesterday #67

Two categories for me, carols and Christmas songs. LisaM Yesterday #18

Thank you LisaM, I like the classic songs and carols too. The novelty songs are among the worst. debm55 Yesterday #68

My favorite... yourout Yesterday #19

Thank you very much for your beautiful selections, yourout. debm55 Yesterday #29

Brenda Lee is also one of my favorites. This one in particular. yourout Yesterday #37

Thank you very much yourout for your selection. Have a great Thanksgiving my friend. debm55 Yesterday #144

What's wrong with the Velvet Fog? LisaM Yesterday #71

Best - "Sleigh Ride"; Worst - "The Christmas Shoes" Mad_Dem_X Yesterday #28

Mad_Dem_X Thank you you very much for your selections. I have never heard "The Christmas Shoes" I will have to debm55 Yesterday #31

To me, it's just an over-the-top tearjerker. Mad_Dem_X Yesterday #108

I love "Sleigh Ride"! The composer was LeRoy Anderson yellowdogintexas Yesterday #58

Thank you very much , yellowdogintexas. Yes it is can be used all winter. debm55 Yesterday #146

If true he was trying to think "Cold" thoughts! electric_blue68 Yesterday #153

I an totally nboard with your Carole of the Bells choice, whih version do ou prefer? lark Yesterday #30

Thank you lark. I like the Transsiberian Orchesstra version the best. But it is a song you just can't go wrong with. My debm55 Yesterday #33

The TSO rendition totally rocks. When you get to the part near... 3catwoman3 Yesterday #63

Thank you 3catwoman3 I totally agree debm55 Yesterday #154

There are so many of each, but ... 31st Street Bridge Yesterday #32

Thank you very much for your list. Love, Father Christmas by Greg Lake. You don't like Rudolph!!!!!!! Hey are you in debm55 Yesterday #78

Yes, I'm in Glenshaw! 31st Street Bridge Yesterday #88

thank you very much. 31st Bridge. I live in Jefferson Hills about 10 miles south of Pittsburgh. debm55 Yesterday #92

Thank you, very much! 31st Street Bridge Yesterday #96

Small world ... I grew up in Pleasant Hills FakeNoose 12 hrs ago #172

Yes, lots of construction around here. I live very near where they are bringing the turnpike up from WV to Pittsburgh. debm55 12 hrs ago #174

My best is Christmas Eve thomski64 Yesterday #34

Oh you, Thank you very much for your selection, thomski664. debm55 Yesterday #79

In Chicago on 93.9 FM they started the Monday after Halloween. Chasstev365 Yesterday #39

Oh wow , that is early. Thank you for sharing with us Chasstev365. debm55 Yesterday #72

Best Christmas cover version ever: Jack Johnson doing Stevie Wonder's Someday at Christmas Chasstev365 Yesterday #41

Thank you very much for sharing with us. Chasstev365 debm55 Yesterday #52

I enjoy most christmas carols/songs, mwmisses4289 Yesterday #47

Thank you very much, mwmisses4389. You are right correct about the Hallelujay Chorus. Yes the quieter songs are very debm55 Yesterday #49

My very favorite is "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" get the red out Yesterday #48

Thank you very much get the red out. I agree with you on your favorite songs- mellow. debm55 Yesterday #50

Two of the worst for me: The Little Drummer Boy and Silent Night. Polly Hennessey Yesterday #53

Thank you very much my Polly Hennessey. I like The First Noel.too. debm55 Yesterday #83

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is my favorite. sop Yesterday #54

I agree, sop, I love the song with Frank singing it. debm55 Yesterday #84

I love "Snoopy's Christmas" because I like the chorus and MIButterfly Yesterday #55

Love your selections and reasons you selected Thank you very much, MIButterfly. Love ya. debm55 Yesterday #147

Right back at ya, debm55! MIButterfly Yesterday #152

It's not a Christmas song but I like the Pretenders' "2000 Miles." Vogon_Glory Yesterday #56

Thank you Vogon_Glory, If it put you in the Christmas spirit it's a Christmas song. debm55 Yesterday #157

O Holy Night Dear_Prudence Yesterday #57

Thank you very much, Dear_Prudence. I understand completely. debm55 23 hrs ago #161

Favorite: O Come, O Come Emmanuel catbyte Yesterday #61

Thank you very much, catbyte. I loved that carol from when I was young. Simply a beautiful song. At my church is was debm55 Yesterday #85

Best -Oh Holy Night Progressive dog Yesterday #62

Thank you very much, Progressive dog. I agree with your choices. debm55 Yesterday #94

My absolute fav is Mariah's All I Want for Christmas is You! We went to her Christmas concert last year around beaglelover Yesterday #66

Wow, that sounds like a great experience. Thank you for sharing beaglelover. debm55 23 hrs ago #166

As noted in a few other threads, there are Christmas carols, and then there are Christmas songs. 3catwoman3 Yesterday #69

Thank you very much , 3catwoman3 I too like the traditional Christmas music the best. debm55 11 hrs ago #179

Favorites: Sleigh Ride; Carol of the Bells, and orchestral renditions in the Classical Style yellowdogintexas Yesterday #73

My favorite Keepthesoulalive Yesterday #76

Father Christmas by The Kinks underpants Yesterday #77

Worst - The top 10! They get played FAR too often dickthegrouch Yesterday #80

Thank you dickthegrouch. Love the sounds of the two songs. Absolutely beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friend. debm55 Yesterday #98

Best, by miles - the Murphs, The Season's Upon Us RandomNumbers Yesterday #81

Thank you very much, RandowNumbers , I love the Murphs. This is one fun song I do like. Yes worse then my family ,but debm55 Yesterday #89

Oh yes, I think the genius of the song RandomNumbers Yesterday #90

My husband is from Boston and we have seen them a couple of times. I agree with you. debm55 Yesterday #91

I like most of the traditional carols Jilly_in_VA Yesterday #82

Thank you, you very much Jilly_in_VA. I agree with you on all three counts. Thank you and may you have a Happy debm55 Yesterday #100

I can only stomach ONE christmas songs...ok, make that two. In this order. Ferrets are Cool Yesterday #86

Ferrets are Cool , I want to thank you for posting these songs. I had chills watching them both, Especially Greg Lake debm55 Yesterday #87

Oh, I just thought of another favorite. catbyte Yesterday #93

HAHAHAHAHAHA. that is funny. It brings the boring song to life. Thank you catbyte. debm55 Yesterday #95

I love this! Mad_Dem_X Yesterday #109

The best and most irreverent is Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks - Carol of the Bells Brother Buzz Yesterday #97

OMG, that is hilarious. Thank you Brother Buzz. Love ya. debm55 Yesterday #99

Best. None. Don't like Xmas songs. bullimiami Yesterday #101

Thank you for sharing with us. debm55 Yesterday #102

No best and worst for me, I really only listen to Classical Christmas music (orchestrated) on WQXR Holiday streaming... wcmagumba Yesterday #104

Thank you for sharing that link, wcmagumba. Sometimes I just need soothing holiday music. debm55 Yesterday #105

This message was self-deleted by its author wcmagumba Yesterday #106

Me too, just wanted to let you know I deleted my last post cause I don't want to seem pushy about this station.. wcmagumba Yesterday #110

Oh no, you weren't too pushy , Just a sharing poster here and I thank you wcmagumba. debm55 Yesterday #119

Thanks debm55, I thought of one song I don't much care for, It's "Jingle Bells" done by the barking dogs... wcmagumba Yesterday #121

Thank you wcmagumba. But I must tell you I sorta liked it when it first came out. they have one done by cats. debm55 Yesterday #122

I think when on a visit to cousins out of state as a kid the station they listened to played the dogs every 5 minutes... wcmagumba Yesterday #132

My very favorite is Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn Tom Dyer Yesterday #111

Thank you very much Tom Dyer. I wil look for Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn. Agree with you on the Chipmunks. Have a debm55 Yesterday #118

Worst - Jingle Bells barked by dogs. Best - Stille Nacht as origionally scored. Dorothy V Yesterday #114

Thank you Dorothy V.. When I was in children's chorus we sang Stille Nacht in the original German. worst song --I sort debm55 Yesterday #117

My Yeas and and Nays... electric_blue68 Yesterday #115

Thank you very much for you list. electric_blue68 Dominic the Donkey is played on I guess different loops. The Red debm55 Yesterday #116

TY the info. Happy Thanksgiving to you! electric_blue68 Yesterday #137

Check out a comic view of the song by Coventina. It's funny. debm55 Yesterday #124

I just did. 😄 electric_blue68 18 hrs ago #169

White Wine In The Sun - Tim Minchin Wiz Imp Yesterday #125

Thank you very much, Wiz Imp. It is a beautiful song. Have a Great Thanksgiving. debm55 Yesterday #142

Anything sung by those freaking chipmunks annoyed the hell out of me. Borogove Yesterday #126

Deb, they ALL suck. no_hypocrisy Yesterday #127

A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson Wiz Imp Yesterday #128

I like and did not see listed... Mike Nelson Yesterday #129

Bill Murray! Paul Schaeffer with Pheonix PuraVidaDreamin Yesterday #130

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love Wiz Imp Yesterday #131

(There's No War On Christmas) When Christmas Is In Your Heart by The Mockers Wiz Imp Yesterday #133

Riu Riu Chiu by the Monkees Wiz Imp Yesterday #134

I grew up listening to the Cathedral choir rehearsing with the pipe organ, madamesilverspurs Yesterday #135

😄 Well done guys & kids! Ty electric_blue68 Yesterday #145

Thank you very much madamesilverspurs Your selections are great. Have a great Thanksgiving.to you and yours. debm55 23 hrs ago #165

A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio Wiz Imp Yesterday #136

thank you Wiz Imp, I would play the disk while teaching Art in December to grade schoolers. They all would say that is debm55 23 hrs ago #164

The Gifts they Gave and KT2000 Yesterday #138

Thank you KT2000 for your wonderful selections. I agree with your Holly Jolly Christmas. Have a great Thanksgiving. debm55 Yesterday #140

Worst: Anything by Alvin and the Chipmunks PJMcK Yesterday #155

HAHAH Thank you very PJMcK. I agree Your post is so funny. Happy Thanksgiving. debm55 23 hrs ago #163

Joni buzzycrumbhunger Yesterday #156

Thank you very much buzzycrumbhunger , Beautiful song and voice. debm55 23 hrs ago #160

Carol of the Bells. boonecreek 22 hrs ago #167

Seek out Excelsis (A Dark Noel). Morbius 22 hrs ago #168

Thank you very much, Morbius for your selections. I will YouTube later debm55 11 hrs ago #177

Well, this won't be popular, but it is my answer. OldBaldy1701E 14 hrs ago #170

HAHAHHAHA. Thank is so funny, and so true. Thank you OldBaldy1701E and may you and yours have a great day. debm55 12 hrs ago #175

the secular songs started in mid july. AllaN01Bear 12 hrs ago #176

Thank you Bear, Are those the songs you like? Here in PA , Christmas songs are played closer to the end of October. debm55 1 hr ago #190

Good question! Thunderbeast 9 hrs ago #183

Thank you very much Thunderbeast. debm55 1 hr ago #188

Best - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives Casandia 9 hrs ago #184

Yes, it does, doesn't it. Thank you very much Casandia. debm55 1 hr ago #189

It's evolved over time. As a youth, B.See 4 hrs ago #185

Thank you very much B.See. Your taste in music really changed. debm55 4 hrs ago #186