Christmas songs written by Jews!!

[nile455]

As some of us celebrate the first night of Hanukkah tonight, let's remember the great contributions by Jewish composers and lyricists to the music of Christmas! Here are some of them:

The Christmas Waltz - Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne

Winter Wonderland - Felix Bernard

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire - Mel Torme and Robert Wells

Sleigh Ride - Mitchell Parish

Santa Clause is Coming to Town - Fred Coots

Let it Snow - Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne

White Christmas - Irving Berlin

Santa Baby - Joan Javits

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Felix Mendelssohn

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer - Johnny Marks

O Holy Night - Adolphe Adam

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - George Wyle

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Johnny Marks

Silver Bells - Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Walter Kent and Buck Ram

A Holly Jolly Christmas - Johnny Marks

There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays - Al Stillman

We Need A Little Christmas - Jerry Herman

 

[nile455]

Just a clarification, Felix Mendelssohn was born Jewish but his family converted when he was a boy.

Interestingly, his grandfather (Moses Mendelssohn) was the leader of the Jewish Enlightenment movement.

 

[eliza61]

You've got my thanks, I love some of those caroles

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Wow, I didn't know Mel Torme wrote Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. Cool thread!

 

[JARNJ3]

I wonder why Hannukah didn't inspire some of those song writers also?

You've got to admit - its an awesome list!

This is my fave:

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - George Wyle

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I wonder why Hannukah didn't inspire some of those song writers also?

I'm not sure that it didn't. My guess is that songs about Hannukah don't play as well to the masses (at least in the U.S.), so wouldn't be as well known.

 

[nile455]

I'm not sure that it didn't. My guess is that songs about Hannukah don't play as well to the masses (at least in the U.S.), so wouldn't be as well known.

I'm Jewish, and while there a few Hanukkah songs that I like, I'll be the first to say there's simply nothing like the Christmas repertoire.

 

[nile455]

I'm not sure that it didn't. My guess is that songs about Hannukah don't play as well to the masses (at least in the U.S.), so wouldn't be as well known.

This got me thinking, are there any minor-key Christmas songs?