| Piano music is wonderful all year long and especially | | | | Joy To The World: This well known carol with |
| during the holidays. I have memories of Christmas time | | | | scripture-based lyrics is believed to have origins from |
| with my family and close friends gathering around the | | | | Handel. Today's artist continue to immortalize the |
| piano and singing Christmas carols. There were | | | | beauty and words of the song including Whitney |
| several Christmas songs played on the piano that we | | | | Houston who recorded the song for The Preacher's |
| would enjoy singing along to. I would like to share some | | | | Wife (1996), and Michael Bolton who sang a pop |
| facts about five of these festive songs that you might | | | | version of this song at Plácido Domingo's |
| also enjoy during the upcoming holidays. | | | | annual collaboration Christmas concert from Vienna in |
| Away In The Manger: First published in 1885 Away In | | | | 1997. Mariah Carey also re-recorded this song for her |
| A Manger is a religious Christmas carol that continues | | | | 1994 album Merry Christmas. And in 2008, the Jonas |
| to be widely known and sung. Recent artists who | | | | Brothers recorded a version of this song called "Joyful |
| have recordings of this song include Martina McBride | | | | Kings" for the 2008 Disney Channel Holiday album "All |
| (1999), Linda Ronstadt (2000), Manheim Stemroller | | | | Wrapped Up". |
| (2001), Jim Brickman (2003) and Toby Keith (2007). | | | | Silent Night: Original lyrics of the song Silent Night were |
| Deck The Halls: The traditional Yuletide and New | | | | written by the Austrian priest Father Josef Mohr. Franz |
| Years' carol Deck The Halls and widely known lyrics | | | | Xaver Gruber composed the melody. The band Bon |
| are American in origin released in 1903 and continues | | | | Jovi recorded "Silent Night" as a single on their second |
| to be a favorite today. The melody is Welsh and | | | | album 7800° Fahrenheit (1985). |
| belongs to a winter carol, Nos Galan. | | | | The warmth and resonating sound of the piano |
| Jingle Bells: Although "Jingle Bells" is one of the best | | | | brought our voices and sprits together. And while we |
| known and commonly sung winter songs in the world, | | | | weren't all blessed with superior vocals, we were all |
| it was written in New England in 1857 by James Lord | | | | blessed with the beauty and gifts of family and friends. |
| Pierpont during the late 19th century winter as a | | | | So whether you might be planning a large or small |
| upbeat carol to help peoples spirits during the long | | | | intimate holiday party this Christmas, playing these |
| winter months. Two recorded versions enjoyed today | | | | warmly celebrated songs on your piano will bring you |
| are from Rosemary Clooney and Ella Fitzgerald. | | | | cherished memories to share with family and friends. |