AMERICAN NOEL (2008) - out of print
© 2008 Tracy Grammer / Elise Fischer
- Go Tell The Fox
- Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
- Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
- Footsteps Of The Faithful
- The Ditchling Carol
- Giddyup Said Santa Claus
- The Coventry Carol
- American Noel
creditsProduced by Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
Executive Producers: Tracy Grammer & Jim Olsen Recorded and mixed by the duo in Tracy's Kitchen and by Billy Oskay at Big Red Studio. Additional recording/mixing at Rancho Canard. Mastered by Mark Frethem at Doctor Digital. Package design by Lehndorff Design. Photography by Jeff Bizzell. Musicians: Dave Carter: banjo, guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals Tracy Grammer: violin, mandolin, percussion, vocals Arlene Hale: vocals (8) |
quotable“AMERICAN NOEL is quintessentially American despite the presence of well-known trad European numbers, now transmatrixed to our shores....I can't picture anyone hearing AMERICAN NOEL not being struck at how singular it is, as listenable any time of the year as during the holidays. Beyond the vocals, Grammer plays a beautiful violin and Carter was very adept on the guitar, making for twice the appeal and quadruple the astonishment." -Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
"'Go Tell the Fox,' with its Old English title, rings out like an excited announcement of the Savior's birth. And then for something completely different, "Giddyup Said Santa Claus" is a lighthearted cowboy song. Grammer's vocals shine brightest on a few of this collection's traditional tunes - particularly "Ditchling Carol" where she also accompanies herself on violin. The project's best-known track is "Bring a Torch, Jeanette,, Isabella," even though it is not by any means an overly familiar carol. Therefore, while short on songs, the CD is fairly long on relatively unfamiliar holiday music. "American Noel" is an apt title, as it is Americana music through and through. - Country Standard Time "...an obvious 'get' for Carter and Grammer music archivists -- those who wish to have and hear everything the pair ever recorded. Fans of the pair will also find this an enjoyable release and quite the needed break from what typically comprises the aural onslaught [at holiday time]....do your friends, relatives and neighbors quite the favor and broaden their holiday music horizon." -Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews |
go tell the fox
© David Robert Carter (BMI), admin. by Tracy Grammer Music
go tell the fox baby’s in his cradle, go tell the rabbit where the snow lies deep
born in a manger, dreamin in the stable, there lies the christ child fast asleep
go tell the barber, go and tell the banker, go tell the farmer in the frozen corn
go tell the sailor lookin for an anchor, go tell the drifter in the ice white storm
little baby jesus this night is born
go tell the risin wind, poundin at the stormy sea
go tell the clouds that hover, rain that flies and trees that shudder
go tell the baron, notify the princess, go tell the duchess in her castle cold
tell mister herod, countin up his census, countin up his sorrows and his chains of gold
little baby jesus gonna free your soul
go tell the sinner weepin in his prison, go tell the widow on her lonely way
go tell the seeker searchin for a reason, wake the philosopher old and gray
tell ‘em baby jesus was born today
go tell the fox baby’s in his cradle, go tell the rabbit where the snow lies deep
born in a manger, dreamin in the stable, there lies the christ child fast asleep
go tell the barber, go and tell the banker, go tell the farmer in the frozen corn
go tell the sailor lookin for an anchor, go tell the drifter in the ice white storm
little baby jesus this night is born
go tell the risin wind, poundin at the stormy sea
go tell the clouds that hover, rain that flies and trees that shudder
go tell the baron, notify the princess, go tell the duchess in her castle cold
tell mister herod, countin up his census, countin up his sorrows and his chains of gold
little baby jesus gonna free your soul
go tell the sinner weepin in his prison, go tell the widow on her lonely way
go tell the seeker searchin for a reason, wake the philosopher old and gray
tell ‘em baby jesus was born today
bring a torch, jeannette, isabella
French Provencal carol by Emile Blemont. Translation: Edward Cuthbert Nunn (1868-1914). Arr. Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
bring a torch, jeanette, isabella
bring a torch, go quickly and run
christ is born, tell the folk of the village
jesus is sleeping, mary's singing
ah, ah, beautiful is the mother
ah, ah, beautiful is the son
quietly now, not to waken sweet jesus
quietly now, and whispering low
silence to keep as we gather around him
talking and noise might waken jesus
hush, hush, quietly now he slumbers
hush, hush, quietly now he sleeps
softly creep in the little rude stable
softly just for this one moment come
catch one glimpse of the tiny child jesus
tender his brow, how sweetly he's dreaming
hush, hush, quietly now he slumbers
hush, hush, quietly now he sleeps
ah, ah, beautiful is the mother
ah, ah, beautiful is the son
bring a torch, jeanette, isabella
bring a torch, go quickly and run
christ is born, tell the folk of the village
jesus is sleeping, mary's singing
ah, ah, beautiful is the mother
ah, ah, beautiful is the son
quietly now, not to waken sweet jesus
quietly now, and whispering low
silence to keep as we gather around him
talking and noise might waken jesus
hush, hush, quietly now he slumbers
hush, hush, quietly now he sleeps
softly creep in the little rude stable
softly just for this one moment come
catch one glimpse of the tiny child jesus
tender his brow, how sweetly he's dreaming
hush, hush, quietly now he slumbers
hush, hush, quietly now he sleeps
ah, ah, beautiful is the mother
ah, ah, beautiful is the son
lo, how a rose e'er blooming
15th century German carol. Translation: Theodore Baker (1851-1934). Arr. Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
lo, how a rose e'er bloomin
from tender stem hath sprung
of jesse's lineage comin
as those of old have sung
it came a floweret bright
amid the cold of winter
when half spent was the night
isaiah 'twas foretold it
this rose i have in mind
with mary we behold it
the virgin mother kind
to show god's love aright
she bore to us a savior
when half spent was the night
lo how a rose ...
the shepherds heard the story
proclaimed by angels bright
how christ the lord of glory
was born on earth this night
to bethlehem they sped
and in the manger found him
as angel heralds said
lo how a rose ...
lo how a rose ...
lo, how a rose e'er bloomin
from tender stem hath sprung
of jesse's lineage comin
as those of old have sung
it came a floweret bright
amid the cold of winter
when half spent was the night
isaiah 'twas foretold it
this rose i have in mind
with mary we behold it
the virgin mother kind
to show god's love aright
she bore to us a savior
when half spent was the night
lo how a rose ...
the shepherds heard the story
proclaimed by angels bright
how christ the lord of glory
was born on earth this night
to bethlehem they sped
and in the manger found him
as angel heralds said
lo how a rose ...
lo how a rose ...
footsteps of the faithful
© 2000 David Robert Carter (BMI), admin. by Tracy Grammer Music
these days it's a road less traveled
this path of the solid ground
when straight and narrow runs to gravel
sometimes it's the long way 'round
christmas eve is a lonely highway
i walk on a weary mile
sister, if you're going my way
can i wander with you a while
are you goin down to bethlehem
with a shooting star to guide you
though the trail's a river of frozen tears
and the trees are bent with snow
if you're going down to bethlehem
can i walk a while beside you
in the footsteps of the faithful
on a christmas long ago
oh my brother, when your feet get weary
i will come when i hear your call
when the days go dark and dreary
catch me up if i start to fall
if we both should slip and stumble
on the road to the freedom land
there's a greater to share our troubles
just reach out and he'll take your hand
are you goin down to bethlehem ...
look up now from the road of danger
love you, one another
there's a light shinin in the manger
now, get up sister, c'mon brother
are you goin down to bethlehem ...
these days it's a road less traveled
this path of the solid ground
when straight and narrow runs to gravel
sometimes it's the long way 'round
christmas eve is a lonely highway
i walk on a weary mile
sister, if you're going my way
can i wander with you a while
are you goin down to bethlehem
with a shooting star to guide you
though the trail's a river of frozen tears
and the trees are bent with snow
if you're going down to bethlehem
can i walk a while beside you
in the footsteps of the faithful
on a christmas long ago
oh my brother, when your feet get weary
i will come when i hear your call
when the days go dark and dreary
catch me up if i start to fall
if we both should slip and stumble
on the road to the freedom land
there's a greater to share our troubles
just reach out and he'll take your hand
are you goin down to bethlehem ...
look up now from the road of danger
love you, one another
there's a light shinin in the manger
now, get up sister, c'mon brother
are you goin down to bethlehem ...
the ditchling carol
Traditional English carol. Arr. Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
be merry all, be merry all
with holly deck the festive hall
prepare the song, the feast, the call
to welcome merry christmas
and you in velvet all adorned
defying winter's tempest's scorn
o spare one garment from your store
to clothe the poor at christmas
and all remember, gentles gay
for you who bask in fortune's ray
the year is all a holiday
the poor have only christmas
you who the costly banquet deal
to friends who never famine feel
o spare one morsel from your meal
to feed the poor at christmas
and all remember ...
so shall each note of mirth appear
more sweet to heaven than praise or prayer
and angels in their carols there
shall bless the poor at christmas
bless the poor at christmas
be merry all, be merry all
with holly deck the festive hall
prepare the song, the feast, the call
to welcome merry christmas
and you in velvet all adorned
defying winter's tempest's scorn
o spare one garment from your store
to clothe the poor at christmas
and all remember, gentles gay
for you who bask in fortune's ray
the year is all a holiday
the poor have only christmas
you who the costly banquet deal
to friends who never famine feel
o spare one morsel from your meal
to feed the poor at christmas
and all remember ...
so shall each note of mirth appear
more sweet to heaven than praise or prayer
and angels in their carols there
shall bless the poor at christmas
bless the poor at christmas
giddyup said santa claus
© David Robert Carter (BMI), admin. by Tracy Grammer Music
i was drivin through the timber 'round about december, took a wrong turn somewhere
straight up north in a bent-frame ford, it was lookin mighty snowy up there
saw a jolly old coot in a bright red suit, he was hitchin up a gaggle of deer
yellin "pull that sled boys, the kids are in bed and we're leavin kinda late this year"
giddyup said santa claus, dasher get your mittens
'cause it's gettin mighty cold outside
christmas is a-comin, better get a-runnin
son, we got a long, long ride
we gotta roll these toys from tampa to boise
visit every kid in l.a.
london to atlanta, hurry said santa,
christmas is a dream away
well i called to the stranger, buddy i'm in danger, loster than a bug in the grass
polar bears growlin, shaggy wolves howlin and i'm gettin mighty low on gas
dontchya be naggin, we can hitch up your wagon and tow you where you're needin to go
and off we went at a hundred and ten, over the boulders and snow
giddyup said santa claus ...
now i was feelin right cheerful when man i got an earful of the merriest music around
he was dancin and a-singin to the sleigh bells ringin but lord i shoulda never looked down
when i rolled down the winder and peered across my fender we were forty miles up in the air
cuttin pirouettes around rockets and jets, headin out for who-knows-where
oh please, mr jolly, take me back to raleigh, terra firma's where i belong
he just kept on drivin, janglin and jivin, singin all his yuletide songs
yeah it was cold and windy but he never missed a chimney
stopped at ever little one's den
every bundle and bow in a fine bright row and he was back in the saddle again
giddyup said santa claus ...
well i kinda got to diggin all the zaggin and ziggin and the flyin and the presents and fun
and by dawn next day, i was up in the sleigh and we were talkin about christmas to come
now time keeps turnin and i keep a-learnin but brother, dontchya know i'm still here
santa's on his night run, i'm ridin shotgun, looks like another good year
giddyup said santa claus ...
i was drivin through the timber 'round about december, took a wrong turn somewhere
straight up north in a bent-frame ford, it was lookin mighty snowy up there
saw a jolly old coot in a bright red suit, he was hitchin up a gaggle of deer
yellin "pull that sled boys, the kids are in bed and we're leavin kinda late this year"
giddyup said santa claus, dasher get your mittens
'cause it's gettin mighty cold outside
christmas is a-comin, better get a-runnin
son, we got a long, long ride
we gotta roll these toys from tampa to boise
visit every kid in l.a.
london to atlanta, hurry said santa,
christmas is a dream away
well i called to the stranger, buddy i'm in danger, loster than a bug in the grass
polar bears growlin, shaggy wolves howlin and i'm gettin mighty low on gas
dontchya be naggin, we can hitch up your wagon and tow you where you're needin to go
and off we went at a hundred and ten, over the boulders and snow
giddyup said santa claus ...
now i was feelin right cheerful when man i got an earful of the merriest music around
he was dancin and a-singin to the sleigh bells ringin but lord i shoulda never looked down
when i rolled down the winder and peered across my fender we were forty miles up in the air
cuttin pirouettes around rockets and jets, headin out for who-knows-where
oh please, mr jolly, take me back to raleigh, terra firma's where i belong
he just kept on drivin, janglin and jivin, singin all his yuletide songs
yeah it was cold and windy but he never missed a chimney
stopped at ever little one's den
every bundle and bow in a fine bright row and he was back in the saddle again
giddyup said santa claus ...
well i kinda got to diggin all the zaggin and ziggin and the flyin and the presents and fun
and by dawn next day, i was up in the sleigh and we were talkin about christmas to come
now time keeps turnin and i keep a-learnin but brother, dontchya know i'm still here
santa's on his night run, i'm ridin shotgun, looks like another good year
giddyup said santa claus ...
the coventry carol
Traditional carol, 16th century. Arr. Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
lu lee lu la, thou little tiny child
bye bye, lu lee lu lay
thou little tiny child
bye bye, lu lee lu lay
oh sisters two, how may we do
for to preserve this day
this poor youngling for whom we do sing
bye bye lu lee lu lay
lu lee lu la ...
herod the king, in his raging
charged he hath this day
his men of might, in his own sight
all young children away
then woe is me, poor child for thee
and ever morn and day
for thy parting neither say nor sing
bye bye lu lee lu lay
lu lee lu la ...
lu lee lu la, thou little tiny child
bye bye, lu lee lu lay
thou little tiny child
bye bye, lu lee lu lay
oh sisters two, how may we do
for to preserve this day
this poor youngling for whom we do sing
bye bye lu lee lu lay
lu lee lu la ...
herod the king, in his raging
charged he hath this day
his men of might, in his own sight
all young children away
then woe is me, poor child for thee
and ever morn and day
for thy parting neither say nor sing
bye bye lu lee lu lay
lu lee lu la ...
american noel
© 1994 David Robert Carter (BMI), admin. by Tracy Grammer Music
three wise men ridin hard through the cold
lost on some big city street with no place warm to go
they are lookin for a manger, or a sign in the lights
but they're a long way from bethlehem tonight
but they heard about a savior
and a preacher in the park
who will camp with the homeless
where they shiver in the dark
he'll deliver salvation
to the weary and the cold
and he'll bring joy, joy, joy to the wanderin soul
the cleaning lady sighs as she closes up the gate
this job don't quite pay the bills and she's always workin late
but all in a moment comes a light from above
it's an angel speaking words of joy and love
and he tells her of a savior
and a preacher in the park
who will camp with the homeless
under bridges in the dark
he'll deliver salvation
to the weary and the cold
and he'll bring joy, joy, joy to the wanderin soul
four in the mornin at the trade winds motel
the register reads all full up and the clerk thinks, just as well
but out in the tool shed by an old coleman lamp
a little family makes its meager camp
and the wise men bring presents
and the angels gather 'round
the cleaning lady slips in through the door without a sound
and an old black dog looks on with the rest
at the little babe upon his mother's breast
and there comes a savior
and a preacher in the park
and he camps with the homeless
where they shiver in the dark
he delivers salvation
to the weary and the cold
and he brings joy, joy, joy to the wanderin soul
he brings joy, joy, joy to the wanderin soul
three wise men ridin hard through the cold
lost on some big city street with no place warm to go
they are lookin for a manger, or a sign in the lights
but they're a long way from bethlehem tonight
but they heard about a savior
and a preacher in the park
who will camp with the homeless
where they shiver in the dark
he'll deliver salvation
to the weary and the cold
and he'll bring joy, joy, joy to the wanderin soul
the cleaning lady sighs as she closes up the gate
this job don't quite pay the bills and she's always workin late
but all in a moment comes a light from above
it's an angel speaking words of joy and love
and he tells her of a savior
and a preacher in the park
who will camp with the homeless
under bridges in the dark
he'll deliver salvation
to the weary and the cold
and he'll bring joy, joy, joy to the wanderin soul
four in the mornin at the trade winds motel
the register reads all full up and the clerk thinks, just as well
but out in the tool shed by an old coleman lamp
a little family makes its meager camp
and the wise men bring presents
and the angels gather 'round
the cleaning lady slips in through the door without a sound
and an old black dog looks on with the rest
at the little babe upon his mother's breast
and there comes a savior
and a preacher in the park
and he camps with the homeless
where they shiver in the dark
he delivers salvation
to the weary and the cold
and he brings joy, joy, joy to the wanderin soul
he brings joy, joy, joy to the wanderin soul
