Songs for holidays through the year

As we approach a busy season for holidays, I'd like to share a few fun song selections for various holidays. I have tried to pick the best version of each song that I could find on YouTube and a few from other sites. Many of these songs are familiar, but I hope you will get some enjoyment from these and maybe find something great for your repertoire...

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Valentine's Day

Ah, love...we all love it, don't we? I suppose the exception would be those unattached souls who view this holiday as Singles Awareness Day. If that is your case, my prayers are with you. For everyone else, here are a few of my favorite fun love songs.

• If Ever I Would Leave You (Robert Goulet -- YouTube)
• L-O-V-E (Nat King Cole -- YouTube)
• Polka Dots and Moonbeams (Nathan Gunn -- Amazon, my favorite version of this song)
• How Deep is the Ocean (Frank Sinatra -- YouTube)
• When I Fall In Love (Nat King Cole -- YouTube)
• Lean Baby (Frank Sinatra -- YouTube) (this one has a fun significance for me and my wife)
• Fly Me to the Moon (Nat King Cole -- YouTube)

St. Patrick's Day

The wearing o' the green is something that is close to this Irish heart of mine. Here are a few good numbers that will keep the Irish eyes smiling.

• The Fields of Athenry (Irish Tenors -- YouTube)
• That's An Irish Lullaby (John Gary -- YouTube)
• How Are Things in Glocca Morra (Bing Crosby -- YouTube)
• I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (Ronan Tynan -- YouTube) (this orchestration is amazing!)

Easter Sunday

One would think that there would be many great solo works written for an occasion like this. Unfortunately, I believe there is a gap in the music written for Easter that could be filled by some majestic modern sacred compositions. Here are a few Easter songs that I enjoy.

• Were You There (Whintley Phipps -- YouTube) (a rich, powerful voice!)
• Via Dolorosa (Frederico -- YouTube)
• But Still He Loved Me (Ray Gibbs -- YouTube) (see Ray Gibbs' article on communication here)
• Christ Arose (Low in the Grave He Lay) (Studio Musicians -- Amazon) (someone please find me a good solo version of this - I could not find a YouTube rendition that was good quality)
• Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Robert Hale and Dean Wilder -- YouTube)

Mother's Day / Father's Day

On a day that we remember Mom or Dad, it is nice to have music that expresses the appreciation we feel. Here are a few heart-touching selections.

• It Was Your Life (Rick McDonnell -- YouTube)
• Lord, Bless Our Home (Ron Hamilton -- Majesty Music) (track 8) (this recording includes several good family songs)

Independence Day (July 4th) and other patriotic holidays in the US

I am proud to be an American. Despite what modern-day politicians say or do, we have an incredible history for which we can be grateful. Wave the flag!

• The Star Spangled Banner (Gas House Gang -- YouTube)
• American Anthem (Nathan Gunn -- Amazon) (Denyce Graves -- NPR)
• God Bless America (Irish Tenors -- YouTube)
• Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones (Steve Amerson -- YouTube)
• This is My Country (US Army Band and Chorus -- YouTube) (Tennessee Ernie Ford -- YouTube)

Thanksgiving

We can be thankful for more than turkey this Thanksgiving. We have been blessed!

• Thanks to God (Anabaptist/Mennonite Music channel -- YouTube)
• Now Thank We All Our God (The Cambridge Singers -- YouTube) (arr. by John Rutter)
• Thank You, Lord (Shelly Hamilton -- Majesty Music) (track 4)
• Twenty-three (Psalm 23) (Rick McDonnell -- YouTube)

Christmas

The Christmas season is a season of music, and with good reason. Jesus is the reason for the season! I will be posting an exclusive Christmas music post after the Thanksgiving holiday. Feel free to list your seasonal song favorites in the comments.

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Rick McDonnell is the founder and head blogger at Harmony Passion. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice Performance. Rick has enjoyed singing with numerous quartets and chorus groups including barbershop groups, church groups, and other community music groups. He has also performed several roles in musical productions including Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore and The Pirates of Penzance. He currently sings and plays tuba with the Sons of Jubal, a men’s chorus and brass ensemble comprised of music ministers and other church workers from the state of Georgia. Rick and his wife Bethany teach music students in their home studio and in music studios in nearby Thomasville, GA.

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