Job Discussion Forums

pancakes · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 76

In the lead up to Christmas I thought I'd teach my students (kids 5-10) some English Christmas songs. There are HEAPS of carols, etc, but many have some pretty complex language in them, really. Anyone got some easy Christmas songs they can recommend?

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

You can try the classic "jingle bells" or some of the songs from the soundtrack of the movie " Love, Actually". Also, you can check out http://www.christmas-carols.net/ for some classic carols and some funnies.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU
Written by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true...
All I want for Christmas
Is you...

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...
You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You...

All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need -
won't you please bring my baby to me...

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You...

All I want for Christmas is you baby... (repeat)

pancakes · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 76

Cheers, nolefan! That song you listed is unfortunately far too hard for my kids, but the website you linked to has lots of ideas.

I thought perhaps the 'Joy to the World' song as performed by... by... dammit, it's on my Forrest Gump soundtrack... I dunno.

"Joy to the world, to all the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue see
Joy to the world, and joy to you and me"

or something along those lines. It's got the right kind of message, without mentioning Jesus or any other absurdity which people might get upset about.

C&N · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 10 Location: China

I think the best and most enjoyable christmas song for children is 'Rudolph the red nose reindeer'. Once you've explained or showed them what a reindeer is!!! it should be easy. There are lots of actions you could do to the song too, to make it more enjoyable for the children.
C&N

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:53 am Post subject:

C&N--I agree. Rudolph went over extremely well at the EF Christmas party last year. It works for all levels, and they enjoy hearing the story too. I just drew stick figure reindeer on the whiteboard, but images from the internet would go over even better.

I also had one group sing the song and the other group do the added stuff (in parentheses):

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose
(like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it
(saw it)
You would even say it glows
(like a flash light)
All of the other reindeer
(reindeer)
Used to laugh and call him names
(like Pinnochio)
They never let poor Rudolph
(Rudolph)
Play in any reindeer games
(like Monopoly)

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
(Ho Ho Ho)
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then all the reindeer loved him
(loved him)
And they shouted out with glee
(yippee)
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)
You'll go down in history!"
(like Columbus)

smalls · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 143 Location: China

'All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth' Fun for the kids, throw a little body language and knock out some of the more difficult verses.

frigginhippie · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Posts: 188 Location: over here

That "joy to the world" isn't a christmas song, it's played by 3 Dog Night:
Jeremiah was a bullfrog
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him a-drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine
Singin'...
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

The x-mas version goes:
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we're technically not allowed to teach something like that here.

pancakes · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 76

I know the "jeremiah was a bullfrog" version isn't a 'Christmas song', fh, but it's got the right sort of theme, no?

smalls, how does the rest of that song go?

pancakes · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 76

Well, a Google search later and I can answer my own question:

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

Every body Pauses and stares at me
These two teeth are gone as you can see
I don't know just who to blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve is as plain as it can be!

All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth,
see my two front teeth!

Gee, if I could only
have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you
"Merry Christmas."
It seems so long since I could say,
"Sister Susie sitting on a thistle!"
Gosh oh gee, how happy I'd be,
if I could only whistle (thhhh, thhhh)

All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth,
see my two front teeth.

Gee, if I could only
have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you
"Merry Christmas!"

frigginhippie · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Posts: 188 Location: over here

I guess it comes close. The lyrics continue:

If I were the king of the world
Tell you what I'd do
I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war
Make sweet love to you
Sing it now...

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea

You know I love the ladies
Love to have my fun
I'm a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
A straight shootin' son-of-a-gun
I said a straight shootin' son-of-a-gun
...

You could probably skip that last verse, though I'd get a kick out of seeing 8yr olds sing "you know i love the ladies" and "make sweet love to you" Razz

pancakes · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 76

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Frosty the Snowman
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Jingle Bells
We wish you a Merry Christmas
Santa Claus is Coming to Town

(You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is coming to town!)

My class is learning "Rudolph" and these 1st graders are so good! They almost have the whole thing down! I ordered the DVD of the original 1964 movie and should get it in a week or so. I'm excited about showing it to them.

I love Christmas.

pancakes · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 76

Oh - good one Kev! - 'We wish you a Merry Christmas' has simple simple lyrics and a good tune (one that even I can sing!). I THINK WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

For me, anyway. But it might be a good idea for the sake of others to keep posting them, if you've got some others.

Hainanien · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 11:34 pm Post subject:

The Twelve Days of Christmas
Traditional
Written By: Unknown
Copyright Unknown

On the first day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
************************************

Possible to get many students involved in this one.

I found it & many other songs on this site;
http://www.kididdles.com/mouseum/busy.html