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'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
AND ALL THROUGH THE TOWN
ST. JOSEPH WAS SEARCHING,
WALKING UP ROADS AND DOWN.
OUR LADY WAS WAITING
SO MEEK AND SO MILD,
WHILE JOSEPH WAS SEEKING
A PLACE FOR THE CHILD.
THE CHILDREN WERE NESTLED,
EACH SNUG IN HIS BED;
AND THE GROWNUPS WOULDN'T BOTHER,
"THERE'S NO ROOM," THEY SAID.
WHEN EVEN THE INNKEEPER SENT THEM AWAY
AND JOSEPH WAS WONDERING WHERE THEY WOULD STAY,
HE THOUGHT OF THE CAVE IN THE SIDE OF THE HILL.
"LET'S GO THERE," SAID MARY, "IT'S SILENT AND STILL."
THE MOON ON THE BREAST
OF THE NEW FALLEN SNOW
MADE A PATHWAY OF LIGHT
FOR THEIR TIRED FEET TO GO.
AND IN THE CAVE
IN A CRADLE OF HAY
THE SAVIOR WAS BORN
ON THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY!
THE FATHER WAS WATCHING
IN HEAVEN ABOVE,
AND SENT FOR HIS ANGELS,
HIS COURTIERS OF LOVE.
MORE RAPID THAN EAGLES,
GOD'S BRIGHT ANGELS CAME,
REJOICING AND EAGER,
AS EACH HEARD HIS NAME.
"COME POWERS, COME CHERUBS,
COME VIRTUES AND RAPHAEL;
COME THRONES AND DOMINIONS,
COME MICHAEL AND GABRIEL."
"NOW FLY TO THE EARTH
WHERE MY POOR PEOPLE LIVE,
ANNOUNCE THE GLAD TIDINGS
MY SON COMES TO GIVE!"
THE SHEPHERDS WERE WATCHING
THEIR FLOCKS ON THIS NIGHT;
AND SAW IN THE HEAVENS
AN UNEARTHLY LIGHT.
THE ANGELS ASSURED THEM
THEY'D NOTHING TO FEAR,
"IT'S CHRISTMAS," THEY SAID,
"THE SAVIOR IS HERE."
THEY HASTENED TO FIND HIM,
AND STOOD AT THE DOOR,
UNTIL MARY INVITED THEM IN
TO ADORE.
HE WAS SWADDLED IN BANDS
FROM HIS HEAD TO HIS FEET,
AND NEVER DID SHEPHERDS
SEE A BABY SO SWEET.
HE SPOKE NOT A WORD,
BUT THE SHEPHERDS ALL KNEW
HE WAS TELLING THEM SECRETS,
AND BLESSING THEM, TOO.
THEN SOFTLY THEY LEFT HIM,
THE BABE IN THE HAY,
AND REJOICED WITH GREAT JOY,
ON THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY.
MARY HEARD THEM EXCLAIM
AS THEY WALKED UP THE HILL,
"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST;
PEACE TO MEN OF GOOD WILL."

Submitter comment: SISTER BANKERT SAID THAT IT WAS A CUSTOM FOR MANY YEARS,
FOR THE SISTERS TO MAKE UP PICTURE BOOKS OF THIS POEM FOR
NIECES AND NEWPHEWS. SISTER GAVE ME THIS COPY IN 1953.

Data entry tech comment: VARIATION OF "THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): METER: ANAPESTIC ; PIOUS, THIRD PERSON NARRATIVE ; RELIGION CHRISTMAS NATIVITY ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

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DUTCH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THE DUTCH HAVE THE CUSTOM OF PASSING OUT THEIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS ON
ST. NICHOLAS DAY SO THEY CAN CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN CHURCH WITHOUT
ANY INTERRUPTIONS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20

Date learned: 03-30-1968

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HOLIDAY

THROUGHOUT CANADA, EVERY DECEMBER 26TH, THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS,
IS KNOWN AS BOXING DAY. NO ONE GOES TO WORK ON THIS DAY AND
EVERYBODY JUST SEEMS TO RECUPERRATE FROM THE CHRISTMAS EXCITEMENT.
THIS IS RECOGNIZED AS A HOLIDAY WHICH ORIGINATED FROM GREAT BRITAIN.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; HOLIDAY WORK TABU

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHRISTMAS BELIEF

IF A MAN DOES NOT ENTER THE HOUSE FIRST ON CHRISTMAS
MORNING, THE HOUSE WILL BE PLAGUED WITH SICKNESS AND
BAD LUCK DURING THE COMING YEAR. (THE STRONGER THE
MAN THE BETTER THE LUCK).

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED BY POLISH AMERICANS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; SOUTHFIELD

Keyword(s): FIRST ON CHRISTMAS

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.

Date learned: 10-25-1970

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KEEPING THE WOLVES AWAY

DURING CHRISTMAS THE LITTLE POLISH CHILDREN PUT PEAS ON THE WINDOWSILLS IN THE BELIEF THAT IT WOULD STOP THE WOLVES FROM EATING THEIR ANIMALS AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Beliefs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Feeding animals, spirits of trees

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

WHATEVER SKIES MAY FIND ABOVE YOU,
WHEN XMAS COMES IT'S NICE TO KNOW
THAT THERE ARE FRIENDS WHO FONDLY LOVE YOU,
HOWEVER FAR AWAY YOU GO.

Where learned: KANSAS ; HUDSON

James Callow Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; FEMININE RHYME ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

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IT WAS TRADITION AT MY HOUSE THAT WHEN THE SKY WAS
PINK IN THE MORNING OR EVENING THAT MRS. SANTA CLAUS
WAS BAKING COOKIES. I THOUGHT SO BECAUSE HER OVEN
WOULD LIGHT UP THE SKY.

Submitter comment: MY INFORMANT GOT VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING
HOLIDAY SEASON WHEN THIS SUBJECT CAME OUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Air Weather Fire

Date learned: 00001940S

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(sung to the tune of "Deck the Halls")
Deck the halls with gasoline.
Fa la la la la la la la la
Light a match and watch it gleam.
Fa la la la la la la la la
Watch the school burn down to ashes.
Fa la la la la la la la la
Aren't you glad we played with matches?
Fa la la la la la la la la

Submitter comment: This song is an obvious favorite with the grade school
children during the holidays, especially the boys.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Keyword(s): Parody, humor, arson, Christmas

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

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(sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells")
Jingle bells, Batman smells,
Robin laid an egg.
Batmobile lost a wheel,
And Joker got away. MM
Jingle bells, Batman smells,
Fifty miles away.
He blows his nose in cheerios,
And eats them right away!

Submitter comment: This is only one of many such "gross" songs that the
elementary school boys love to sing.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Keyword(s): Parody, Cartoon character, humor, Christmas

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 00001987ca

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IN OBERAMERGAUE, GERMANY DURING CHRISTMAS TIME, THEY
HOLD A PASSION PLAY, DEPICTING THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BIRTH OF OUR LORD=CHRISTMAS. ; SOME CONTRADICTION HERE--PASSION PLAY=CRUCIFIXION.

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season.

Date learned: 12-00-1967

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IN OBERAMERGAUE, GERMANY DURING CHRISTMAS TIME, THEY
HOLD A PASSION PLAY, DEPICTING THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BIRTH OF OUR LORD=CHRISTMAS. ; SOME CONTRADICTION HERE--PASSION PLAY=CRUCIFIXION.

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season.

Date learned: 12-00-1967

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WHEN ST. NICHOLAS WAS A YOUNG BOY, HIS PARENTS DIED.
THEY WERE QUITE RICH AND HE INHERITED THIS WEALTH.
ALSO AT THIS TIME, A DOWRY WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR A
GIRL TO MARRY. ONE NIGHT, WHILE HE WAS WALKING HOME,
HE HEARD A GIRL CRYING BECAUSE SHE HAD NO DOWRY.
THE FATHER OF THIS GIRL HAD TWO OTHER DAUGHTERS. A
FEW NIGHTS LATER, NICHOLAS LEFT A SACK OF GOLD ON THE
FAMILY'S DOORSTEP. HE DID THIS FOR TWO MORE NIGHTS.
THUS, THERE WAS A DOWRY FOR EACH OF THE DAUGHTERS.
ON THE THIRD NIGHT, THE GIRLS' FATHER WAS AWAKE AND
SAW NICHOLAS LEAVE THE SACKS. UPON QUESTIONING,
NICHOLAS SAID THAT HE HAD NO USE FOR THE GOLD. NICHOLAS
WANTED THE WHOLE THING KEPT A SECRET, BUT WORD SPREAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FATHER CHRISTMAS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 03-14-1972

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WHEN ST. NICHOLAS WAS A YOUNG BOY, HIS PARENTS DIED.
THEY WERE QUITE RICH AND HE INHERITED THIS WEALTH.
ALSO AT THIS TIME, A DOWRY WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR A
GIRL TO MARRY. ONE NIGHT, WHILE HE WAS WALKING HOME,
HE HEARD A GIRL CRYING BECAUSE SHE HAD NO DOWRY.
THE FATHER OF THIS GIRL HAD TWO OTHER DAUGHTERS. A
FEW NIGHTS LATER, NICHOLAS LEFT A SACK OF GOLD ON THE
FAMILY'S DOORSTEP. HE DID THIS FOR TWO MORE NIGHTS.
THUS, THERE WAS A DOWRY FOR EACH OF THE DAUGHTERS.
ON THE THIRD NIGHT, THE GIRLS' FATHER WAS AWAKE AND
SAW NICHOLAS LEAVE THE SACKS. UPON QUESTIONING,
NICHOLAS SAID THAT HE HAD NO USE FOR THE GOLD. NICHOLAS
WANTED THE WHOLE THING KEPT A SECRET, BUT WORD SPREAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FATHER CHRISTMAS ANONYMOUS GIFTS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 03-14-1972

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Ethnic Joke: Jewish

Descriptions of a Jewish Christmas Card: on the front it has a tree, and strung from the tree, instead of the usually bulbs [sic], it has 32 colored Matzo Balls, and on the top, instead of the star of Bethlehem, it has a Jewish star, not the star adavin [sic], but a picture of Sammy Davis Jr. or Liz Taylor, you can take your pick.

Submitter comment:

Sammy Davis Jr. and Liz Taylor are Jewish movie stars.

Data entry tech comment:

I believe that adavin is supposed to be "of David."

Motifs and BN added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Submission card located in pile marked [?]

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; Udkoff, Ted ; 14070 Green Briar ; OAK PARK

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; Decoration ; Distasteful ; ETHNIC ; Hollywood ; HUMOR ; Jewish ; JOKES ; Offensive ; Stereotype ; Tree

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery

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Custom: Holiday

Rudolph:

In conjunction with the legend of Santa Claus is his famous team of reindeer. The leader being Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Every child knows the song about Rudolph, and looks upon him as a sort of hero of Christmas.

Data entry tech comment:

Motif added by TRD

Where learned: CHICAGO

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; Hero ; holiday ; Legend ; MYTH ; Reindeer ; Rudolph ; Santa

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal

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Ethnic: Polish

A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER CALLS FOR EACH SERVING TO BE
SERVED SEPARATELY. THE NEXT SERVING IS NOT BROUGHT ON UNTIL THE
PREVIOUS ONE HAS BEEN CONSUMED BY ALL THAT WANT IT. GENERALLY,
THE SERVINGS ARE OF VEGETABLES. THERE IS NO MEAT EATEN. NOTHING
IS DRANK DURING THE MEAL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated 02-23-2011 / TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; DRINK ; ETHNIC ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; meat ; POLISH ; Serve ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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Ethnic: Polish

IN POLAND, AND IN MANY POLISH-AMERICAN HOMES, THE VIGIL OF
CHRISTMAS IS A VERY SOLEMN OCCASION. A VARIETY OF FOOD IS SERVED,
TWELVE DISHES IN ALL, TO REPRESENT THE TWELVE APOSTLES. NO DAIRY
PRODUCTS ARE ALLOWED. IT ALSO CONSISTS OF SPECIAL WAFERS CALLED
OPTATKI, WHICH THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBUTES TO EACH
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DAIRY ; Dinner ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SYMBOL ; Symbolic ; Vigil

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 10-27-1968

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Christmas Custom

Stringing popcorn and cranberries for Christmas tree ornaments.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs Added by TRD

Where learned: MAINE ; Hutchison, Anne ; Houlton

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; Cranberries ; CUSTOM ; Decoration ; Popcorn

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom

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Content filter on this entry.

Q:WHAT DID MR. & MRS. MINK GIVE EACH OTHER FOR CHRISTMAS?
A:A FULL LENGTH JEW.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD

Keyword(s): ; CHRISTMAS ; ETHNIC SLUR ; Fur ; GERMAN ; HOLOCAUST ; Jewish ; JOKE ; Mink

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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IF ONE IS GOOD, THE WITCH LEAVES CANDY, BUT IF ONE IS
BAD SHE WILL LEAVE ASHES AND SWITCHES.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM-ITALIAN

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Hopkins, Lula

Keyword(s): Ashes ; CANDY ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Italian ; Switches ; Witch

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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