December 31: Auld Lang Syne

(Be careful out there tonight everybody. We need your stories.)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

December 30: Misty

Look at me,
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand,
I get misty, holding your hand.
Walk my way,
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
That music I hear,
I get misty the moment you're near
You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you realize how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you.
On my own,
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left,
My hat from my glove,
I get misty, and too much in love.
I'm too misty, and too much in love

December 29: Over the Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
In the land that I heard of
Once, once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare you dream
Really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds
Are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops that's where you'll find me

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds
Are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops that's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why, can't I

December 28: It's Only a Paper Moon

I never feel a thing is real
When I'm away from you
Out of your embrace
The world's a temporary parking place

Mmm, mm, mm, mm
A bubble for a minute
Mmm, mm, mm, mm
You smile, the bubble has a rainbow in it

Say, its only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

December 27: Moon River

Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.

December 26: What a Wonderful World

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

December 25: What Child is This?

(Merry Christmas to INKsters Everywhere!)

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

December 24: We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

December 23: We Three Kings of Orient Are

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

December 22: We Need a Little Christmas

Haul out the holly,
Put up the tree before
My spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things,
But deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas,
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet,
Yes, we need a little Christmas,
Right this very minute,
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry.

So climb down the chimney,
Turn on the brightest string
Of lights I've ever seen,
Slice up the fruitcake,
It's time we hung some tinsel
On that evergreen bough.

For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing,
Ringing through the rafter,
And a little snappy
Happy ever after,
Need a little Christmas now.

For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

December 21: The First Noel

The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

December 20: Silver Bells

City sidewalks busy sidewalks .
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on ev'ry street corner you'll hear

Silver bells silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring a ling hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
home with their treasures

Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle
You'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

December 19: Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

December 18: O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel

December 17: O Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

December 16: O Come O Come Immanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

December 15: O Come All Ye Faithful

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

December 14: O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!
Your boughs are green in summer's clime
And through the snows of wintertime.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
What happiness befalls me when oft
at joyous Christmas-time
Your form inspires my song and rhyme.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
What happiness befalls me

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson
That constant faith and hope sublime
Lend strength and comfort through all time.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson.

December 13: Joy to the World

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.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

December 12: Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
We got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh yeah

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

December 11: Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go
Take a look in the five-and-ten,
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in ev'ry store
But the prettiest sight to see
is the holly that will be
On your own front door

A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel,
One in the park as well
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart

December 10: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From Heaven’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever over its Babel sounds
The blessèd angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing.
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet-bards foretold,
When with the ever circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

December 9: I'll Be Home for Christmas

I'm dreaming tonight
Of a place I love
Even more than I usually do.
And although I know
It's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.

Even more than I usually do.
Ooh I promise
I'll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light beams.
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.

December 8: I Saw Three Ships

I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?

O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

December 7: Hark the Herald

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

December 6: Happy Holiday

(I'm confident the calendar's main function
is to bring holidays to us, nevertheless hoping
it continues to do so can't be a bad idea ... or is it?)

Happy holiday, happy holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your ev'ry wish come true

Happy holiday, happy holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy holidays to you

December 5, 2008: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

(Sheez, ink and paper must have been cheap in 1833.)

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might.
"O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.

December 4, 2008 Deck the Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

See the blazing Yule before us
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fast away the old year passes
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Hail the new ye lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sing we joyous all together
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Heedless of the wind and weather
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

December 3, 2008 The Christmas Song

(Those of you who are children of
pods need not worry about reindeer.)


Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Jack Frost nipping on your nose.
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
and folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow,
will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way;
he's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother's child is going to spy,
to see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
to kids from one to ninety-two,
although its been said many times, many ways,
merry Christmas to you.

December 2: Bring a Torch

(Questionable Crowd Management Tactics:
Call the whole town out, and then tell them to be quiet.)

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella,
bring a torch, come swiftly and run.
Christ is born; tell the folk at the village.
Jesus is sleeping in his cradle.
Ah, ah, beautiful is the mother.
Ah, ah, beautiful is her son.

Hasten now, good folk of the village.
Hasten now, the christ child to see.
You will find him asleep in the manger.
Quietly come and whisper softly.
Hush, hush, peacefully now he slumbers.
Hush, hush, peacefully now he sleeps.

December 1: Away in a Manger

(Here's a lullabye to prove other kids are better than yours.)

Away in a manger no crib for a bed,
the little lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the heaven looked down where he lay,
the little lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes,
but little lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love the lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
and stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.

December Topics Complete List

You know you love hearing these Christmas songs everywhere you go. Let's make fun of them, or use them to help remind us of great holidays of the past, or you can jump up and down and go crazy about how one religion is always so busy pushing itself off on everybody else. Have a fabulous December with a great list of song lyrics ready and waiting for you to fix!

http://www.mammothgardens.com/inksters/

A few procedural notes:
Obviously there is only one topic per day this month.
I'm going to try and host regular write-a-thons to help us all compete.
I will post the actual lyrics to each song on the blog each day.

Hope you all had a successful November and plan to make December your best literary month of all time. There is a famous and successful writer inside of you. Let's take that beast out for a walk.

November 30th Topics

Jungle
Out on safari, without warning they ran into ...
--
WITTY
The most witty thing I wrote today is:
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Lumberjack
Compare yourself to a lumberjack.
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November 29th Topics

Fairyland
She knew the rainbow couldn't be trusted and so ...
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WITCHING
The most witching thing I wrote today is:
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Withholdings
You're playing hard to get. How do you do that?
--
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November 28th Topics

Frank
The monster strolled through town unaware ...
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WINSOME
The most winsome thing I wrote today is:
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Moose
If you find something to do other than vote, are you bad?
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November 27th Topics

Easter Island
The rock face decided staring at the skies bored him, and so he detached himself from his base and ...
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UNRIVALED
The most unrivaled thing I wrote today is:
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Escape
What's the least amount of work you could do to make the biggest change of your life?
--
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November 26th Topics

Swingers
They were an unlikely pair to be found swinging, but ...
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TRANSCENDENT
The most transcendent thing I wrote today is:
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Police
Are you a good cop or a bad cop?
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November 25th Topics

Beach
She found herself naked and drunk on the beach, and ...
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THRILLING
The most thrilling thing I wrote today is:
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Plastic
What body part do you need to fix?
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November 24th Topics

Ideas
Her eyes twinkled as she remembered her plan ...
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TERRIFIC
The most terrific thing I wrote today is:
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Charity
What will you do to make the world a better place?
--
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November 23rd Topics

Cow
She stared into the cow's eyes and said ...
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SPONTANEOUS
The most spontaneous thing I wrote today is:
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Needs
What one thing would improve your life?
--
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November 22 Topics

Cute
Even though she was just a base unit robot, she still made his electrons buzz with excitement as she ...
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SENTIMENTAL
The most sentimental thing I wrote today is:
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Ouch
What's your favorite dirty word?
--
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November 21st Topics

Pink
When they turned their space suits on, he discovered the engineers gave him the pink suit, and he ...
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SEDUCTIVE
The most seductive thing I wrote today is:
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Patience
During your last journey, what caused you the most stress?
--
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November 20th Topics

Hologram
The hologram sauntered toward him and said ...
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RELAXING
The most relaxing thing I wrote today is:
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Colors
If you stereotyped yourself, what pigeon hole would you fit into?
--
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November 19th Topics

Relaxing
She'd never been good at relaxing, and today ...
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POIGNANT
The most poignant thing I wrote today is:
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Smallest
When is small better? What do you want reduced?
--
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November 18th Topics

Temple
Alone at the entrance to the temple, she ...
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PERFECT
The most perfect thing I wrote today is:
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Futbol
When is it okay to give up?
--
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November 17th Topics

Valley
When we headed into the valley, we passed through ...
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PATHETIC
The most pathetic thing I wrote today is:
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Monster
What's your biggest worry these days?
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November 16th Topics

Secret Garden
She stood in the garden waiting for ...
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OUTSTANDING
The most outstanding thing I wrote today is:
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Hungry
Your favorite politician is using a new, more honest, approach to the election. What is he telling you?
--
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November 15th Topics

Blue Ant
The crowd in the bar would never have guessed that ...
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NERVOUS
The most nervous thing I wrote today is:
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Wind Power
What kinds of shortcuts do you take?
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November 14th Topics

Coffee
He'd been going to the same coffee shop for years, but today things turned crazy when ...
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MOVING
The most moving thing I wrote today is:
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Parrot
You're a bird. What do you want?
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November 13th Topics

Spaceport
The spaceport's size meant ...
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Expounder
You're standing on the soapbox, what sayest thou?
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LOVELY
The most lovely thing I wrote today is:
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November 12th Topics

Library
Architectural awards or not, he felt the new library ...
--
Presidential
How do you dress for success?
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IRRATIONAL
The most irrational thing I wrote today is:
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November 11th Topics

Entrance
Walking down the tunnel, she expected ...
--
Seating
What's the flimsiest excuse you've ever given?
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INTERESTING
The most interesting thing I wrote today is:
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November 10th Topics

Sludge
The robot ascertained the green slime would ...
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Erotica
Write us some purple prose.
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IMPRESSIVE
The most impressive thing I wrote today is:
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November 9th Topics

Telephone
Alone on the plaza, she dialed ...
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Organic
Describe a modern phenomenon that was complete different when you were a kid.
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IMPASSIONED
The most impassioned thing I wrote today is:
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November 8th Topics

The Monk
The tiny companion on the monk's shoulder warned ...
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Toes
What fetish do you have?
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HUMOROUS
The most humorous thing I wrote today is:
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November 7th Topics

Breeze
She threw her clothing off into the breeze and ...
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Bad Boy
Describe a time when you confronted a moral dilemma?
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GLORIOUS
The most glorious thing I wrote today is:
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November 6th Topics

Skulls
The collection of skulls appeared to ...
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Trickle Down
It's raining money. What will you buy?
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FASCINATING
The most fascinating thing I wrote today is:
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November 5th Topics

Escape
Using his ability to time-travel, the captive angel ...
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Unwritten
Give a plot synopsis of the novel you were going to writeway back in the day and haven't started it yet.
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ENCHANTING
The most enchanting thing I wrote today is:
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November 4th Topics

Park
As she snuggled in his arms, she would never suspect ...
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Revisionist
What facts do you like to distort?
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DISTURBING
The most disturbed thing I wrote today is:
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November 3rd Topics

Fountain
Playing in the fountain at the mosque seemed ...
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Suffering
What do you love about being an author? What do you hate?
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CHARMING
The most charming thing I wrote today is:
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November 2nd Topics

Pondering
She stared up at the sky from her lilypad thinking ...
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Typist
Describe your evolution as an author.
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BEGUILING
The most beguiling thing I wrote today is:
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November 1 Topics

Jazz

The musicians played on despite ...

--

It's All About Me

If somebody wrote a story about you, how would it go?

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ABSORBINGThe most absorbing thing I wrote today is:

--

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November 2008 Complete List

Hey guys! Several important changes:

1. I'm overwhelmed with life and with NaNoWriMo so I'm not going to have time to judge entries in our regular tradition, so this month we'll celebrate EVERBODY who submits pieces to our mailbox. No cash prizes for a couple of months, but you'll be way more famous way sooner.

2. SweepAnd Mopp offered to host our web files on his servers. Thank you thank you! Hopefully it will help us from crashing Google. He may also be able to host some write-ins during the next two months. Keep an eye on group messages.

3. The new location of our complete list is: http://www.mammothgardens.com/inksters/

Thank you everyone for your positive energy and creating a better first and second life for our readers. Keep writing.

October 31st Topics

NaNo Topic:
My Goals:
The goal of NaNoWriMo is 50,000 words by November 30th. That's 1667 words per day. Take a moment to jot down your other goals. Maybe you need to write a little more to feel a sense of accomplishment. Maybe you need to call your mom, your high school teacher, your agent, and let them know what you're doing. Maybe you owe it to yourself to spend a night in a fancy hotel on November 29th and your husband needs to watch the kids. Whatever your goals for the next month are, share them! Writing them down will make them happen. ... And now, make the commitment:"I, (name), take the Second Life version of the NaNoWriMo challenge, to be my obsessive commitment for the next month, to have and to drive me and my family and my acquaintances completely crazy from this day until December 1st in the afternoon when I wake up from a nap; for better or for worse but hopefully better because I sure don't want a crummy novel after all this work; for richer (ah yeah!), for poorer (no way! I'm the next Sidney Sheldon), in the mental sickness bordering on derangement for undertaking this insane idea, to love and to cherish and to write my little fanny off from this day forward until I write the best novel of my life." You can write better vows than this one. Do it now and go to bed. You have a busy day tomorrow.


Visions
She'd only taken a few sips, but already she could see purple butterflies all around her face, and ...


Kitties
What behavior trait of cats makes you crazy? What would your sign say if you needed to beg? Where would you go if you lost everything?

October 30th Topics

NaNo Topic:
My Life:
The last two days of October is a time to remember yourself. You've done the pre-planning. You know what you're going to write. There's no way you're not going to be successful. So you need to write your "About the Author" biography for the back page of your book. Who are you? What makes you the right person to write this story? This is the part that will be quoted in high school book reports for all eternity, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to find yourself utterly fascinating.


At the Mosque
The chanting for the 5 a.m. call to prayer began on time, but if she had her way ...


Manna from Heaven
If you could have something drop magically from the sky what would that be? When would it happen? What would it take to acquire the same thing through normal means?

October 29th Topics

NaNo Topic:
The Ending:
Okay, you know you don't want to tell us about it because even you're not sure what the ending is ... but now is the time to set your course. Any editor who looks at your book will insist on a plot synopsis and they'll insist on knowing what your ending will be even before they start to read the book. (Really, I promise!) So set it down for the record and you'll have a compass for your characters. How does your novel end?


Clowning Around

She looked back over her shoulder and he was still there ...

Never
What communication tools are you using well and which ones do you neglect? What is your favorite way of communicating? Who do you ignore?

October 28th Topics

NaNo Topic:
Theme:We now must tread carefully. Nothing will ruin a book faster than an author dead set on cramming a thematic message down the reader's brain. Less competent writers don't have faith in their readers' intelligence. Those authors feel like they need to spell out the moral of the story. If you believe in your protagonist's ability to run the show and live through the complications of the storyline, you'll let the theme evolve naturally from the actions of your own characters. Nobody needs to tell us that Oscar the Grouch really isn't all that grouchy. When we hold our Second Life book club for your novel, and we all sit around and talk about what your book meant to us, what will we say? What message will we have taken away from your efforts?


Singin' the Blues
I might be a dog, he told the crowd, but I'm a damn talented dog, and besides ...


Civilized
Describe a situation where tact played an important role. What's nicer, the inside or outside of your house? What happened at the last dinner party you attended?

October 27th Topics

NaNo Topic:
Symbolism:
Black is scary, red is mean, yellow is happy, white is virginal. A pencil means you draw. A typewriter means you're way the coolest. An orange sunset stands for hope. Edible underwear stands for, uh, well, it means you won't be writing much. If you're writing about vampires, you have an inherited set of symbols at your disposal. If you're writing about Second Life, you know what a boy in a white T-shirt, blue jeans and flip flops means. Sometimes a symbol becomes symbolic only after repeated appearances within a literary work, as classical music does in A Clockwork Orange, or the Virgin Mary does in the Bible. As you make final preparations to dive into your masterpiece, what existing symbols do you imagine will be useful in your work? What things within the body of your work will end up with symbolic meaning?


Train Station
Out of the fog and mist, the massive iron contraption ...



Mouse Trap
What is more important, the journey or the destination?

October 26th Topics

NaNo Topic:
Furries Dilemma:
It's not the same from country to country, from land to land, from this world and that world, but it seems like everywhere you go, somebody is discriminating against somebody else. Do any of your characters have biases? Does one of your characters really truly hate a class of people? How will you build a world of love and light if your readers are used to bigotry? Take a moment to analyze your plans and discuss how embedded social stigmas might affect your novel, both for you as the author and for your rag tag band of merry ones.


Questions
"You've climbed the mountain to worship me and seek my advice," he said, "now what is your question?"


Sisyphus
You've just accomplished something worthy of a cheese burger and milkshake. What is it? What do you do over and over that has no value in your life? How do you go about being optimistic in the face of pessimism?

October 25th Topics

NaNo Topic:
Socio-Economics:
Rich or poor? Fitzgerald or Hemingway? Consider the impact affluence will play in your drama. Poor people have one kind of problem; rich people have another kind of problem. Somebody climbing their way through the ranks has yet another type of problem. Describe your vision of the economic status of your characters and how that affects the way they think and act.


The First Glimpse
We'd been traveling through the forest for so long the first glimpse of it seemed like ...


Baby Steps
What are you doing now while waiting for what you really want to do in life to begin? What unrealistic goals have you set for yourself?

October 24th Topics

NaNo Topic:
Era:
You know that guy who does the movie trailers with the deep voice? He always begins every trailer with the same phrase: "In a world where...." Whether it's a galaxy far far away, a Grecian amphitheatre with Euripides underway, a boxing match on the streets in the late 1920s, or Second Life last month, your novel will be set in at least one era and you should know a little bit about the zeitgeist of the age. Take some time to capture the reasons why you've selected one of these eras. Remind us (and yourself) of the key aspects of the era you're bringing to life.


Friday Night
The teachers had all gone home, the sun had gone down, and her mother still hadn't picked her up, so she decided ...


Chicken
So really, why DID the chicken cross the road?

October 23rd Topics

NaNo Topics:
Locations:
Review your story line and imagine all the locations you'll need to make this novel happen. Your evil character will need a demon's lair, your happy housewife needs a yellow kitchen, your pilot needs his spaceship, and your teenager needs the back seat of the Oldsmobile. You might not need to flesh out every detail of these locations, but you'll need to be able to help your reader find their way around these settings. Write an overview of the many other places you'll need in your novel and the key descriptions you'll need to make them come alive.


The Guardian
He stood sentry at the entrance to the vault and ...


Anxiety
What sets your buzzer off? How does anxiety play a role in your life? What do you have to do in the morning?

October 22nd Topics

NaNo Topics:
Setting:
We're two-thirds of the way through the month and we've never talked about setting. Here we are in beautiful Second Life and we know the importance of the environment and how it affects the life we lead. In novels, only Jane Austin can get away with one setting ... the parlor. Now that you know almost everything you need to know about your novel and the creatures inhabiting it. Describe in excruciating detail the principal locations where you anticipate important actions will happen to your characters.


Unexpected Date
She'd been expecting somebody, well, she didn't know who she was meeting, but the arrival of the mermaid meant ...


Summer Vacation
What's the worst vacation you've ever taken? Describe your favorite local watering hole.