SONGS OF THE SEASON

Many gather members have inquired, stated or commented on a favorite Christmas or other song of the Season. I haven't been able to choose just one. Most of the selected "holiday" songs I've noted on gather have been religiously referenced; the ancient standards like "O, Holy Night", "We Three Kings", "Joy to the World", "Little Drummer Boy"...you get the idea. We repeat these timeless tunes in church and hear them non-stop from before the Christmas season in elevators, public transportation, on the radio and in the retail shops.

Then, of course, there are the festive and memorable "popular" tunes; Elvis' "I'll Have a Blue-hoo-hoo Christmas Without You", "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" timeless by Nat "King" Cole, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" from everyone's favorite cowboy, Gene Autry, and the eternal "White Christmas" sung by the one and only Bing Crosby.

Now I don't know who wrote this little song, but many have recorded it. I remember the version by Peter, Paul and Mary. Some of you may recall it, too. I have many favorite songs; this year this is it:

THE MARVELOUS LITTLE TOY

When I was just a wee little lad,
Full of health and joy,
My father homeward came one night
And gave to me a toy.
A wonder to behold it was
With many colors bright.
And the moment I laid eyes on it,
It became my hearts delight.

It went zip when it moved and pop when it stopped,
Whirrr when it stood still.
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.

The first time that I picked it up
I had a big surprise
Cause right on the bottom were two big buttons
That looked like big green eyes
I first pushed one and then the other,
Then I twisted its lid.
And when I set it down again, here is what it did:

It went zip when it moved and pop when it stopped,
Whirrr when it stood still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.

It first marched left, and then marched right
And then marched under a chair.
And when I looked where it had gone
It wasn't even there.
I started to cry, but my daddy laughed
cause he knew that I would find,
When I turned around my marvelous toy
Would be chugging from behind.

It went zip when it moved and pop when it stopped,
Whirrr when it stood still.
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.

The years have gone by too quickly it seems,
I have my own little boy.
And yesterday I gave to him
My marvelous little toy!
His eyes nearly popped right out of his head
And he gave a squeal of glee!
Neither one of us knows just what it is,
But he loves it just like me!