The Virtual Musical Advent Calendar, December 25: The Rebel Jesus/Skyline Jig
I have gone back and forth trying to decide which song I wanted to post on Christmas day. Originally I had planned on going with Joy to the World, which is the song that so many churches sing to end their Christmas and Christmas Eve services. I also considered O Holy Night, a perennial favorite of mine — mostly for the melody of its astoundingly sublime refrain. (You should still definitely click on both links for fabulous renditions.) But ultimately, I have decided to go a very different direction and post the song that most captures my feelings about Christmas after a long, arduous yuletide season.
My selection, therefore, is Jackson Browne and the Chieftan’s The Rebel Jesus/Skyline Jig.
I won’t bore you with the details of the song’s recording, because hey, it’s Christmas, and whether or not you’re celebrating the holiday you have family and friends who love you that could be bonding with right now. Instead, I’ll simply say that as a non-believer, Browne’s lyrics perfectly sum up both my love of the season and frustration with the politics needlessly embedded in it, and that the jig that follows reminds me that at the end of it all, there is drinking, and dancing, and music, and loved ones, and a remembrance that being alive is amazing. It is hopeful, cranky, augmentative, and ultimately joyous. As I listen to it now, I realize it may well be the perfect Ordinary Times Holiday song.
I always wait until holidays and anniversaries to say what I need to find a way to say more often in 2014: that I love this place, and I love spending time with all of you. If I had a single Christmas wish, it would be this: that we could somehow all magically gather, feast, argue, imbibe, and hoolie together — and not just this season, but often and everywhere. That would be fishing space awesome.
Happy Holidays,
– Tod
Click here to see all selections for The Virtual Musical Advent Calendar.
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Maribou arrived last night.
Now I’m here saying “it’s crack of dawn! Time to get up and start the day!” and she’s saying “ohmigod It’s the middle of the night… you need to take up jogging.”
Merry Christmas everybody.Report
(Thankfully, he switched tactics to letting me sleep for two hours and then waving a freshly-toasted bagel under my nose. Far more effective.)
Happy Christmas to those who celebrate it, love to everyone else as well!Report
I just woke up from a night of serious drinking with my father to find that the Amazon order of stuff for my mother and stepfather which it had been announced was delayed for two days had arrived during the night through a Christmas Miracle (aka people working through the night on Christmas Eve while I was happily drinking away my shortcomings). I’m going to get busy wrapping before Mom & Robert get up…
Merry Christmas!Report
I think this has been my favorite gift of the whole season! Thank you my love…Report
Thanks Tod this is great and I know my life is richer for having you and everyone at OT aka the League in it. And I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment of your final two sentences. I hope everyone enjoys this season.Report
Wow. I never knew that Browne recorded this song with the Chieftans. Cool!
And I too concur with your final two sentences. Peace and joy to all.Report