Christmas Music Written by Jews #MusicMovesMe

This seasonal post has become one of my favorite features on my blog.  For the first time, I am sharing it with my friends at Music Moves Me, where our December theme is Christmas music.

But before I do, a belated 101st birthday (December 9) to Issur Danielovitch, better known as actor Kirk Douglas.  Born in upstate New York (and yes, he is Jewish), he has gone on to great acting fame.

But did you know he sometimes sang?  Here, from the movie 20,000. Leagues Under the Sea, is a song called "Whale of a Tale".

Now, since the theme for today is Christmas music and not Kirk Douglas music, onward...

Today, I pose a question: Why do Christians in the United States dream of a White Christmas?  Why is it so important that snow is on the ground?

White Christmas (the song, as sung by Bing Crosby) is the best selling single of all time.

It may surprise you that White Christmas was written by a Jewish song writer.  It may also surprise you that Jews are responsible for many other beloved Christmas songs.

My quest to find out more started in 2010, after reading a NY Times Op Ed.  Many writers have done the research for me:  I thank them, including the wonderful people at Mental Floss and this article. (a must read, based on extensive research).

Some may argue that these are NOT Christmas songs, but rather songs about what I would now call the "secular Christmas". True, these are not hymns.  But it is true that the American celebration of Christmas incorporates many aspects of non-religious symbolism - this ground has been covered by other writers.

I consider them Christmas songs.  I think, in particular, few would argue that "I'll be Home for Christmas" isn't one of the most heartfelt Christmas songs every written.

Additionally, in the several years, I have discovered a wonderful blog and - hey, great minds! - John Holton of The Sound of One Man Typing (a 4M contributor) has also blogged about this very topic. I welcome you to visit John's blog and read even more - a lot more - on this topic.

Here's my list: (this is a You Tube playlist; you can click on the upper left hand corner for all the songs)


1.  White Christmas:  Irving Berlin lived to 101, married a Catholic woman back when that type of intermarriage was extremely scandalous (to both families) and wrote a song which defined Christmas for entire generations of American Christians.  (Incidentally, Berlin also wrote "Easter Parade" and "God Bless America".) The next time you wonder if you will be having a white Christmas, and if you can't figure out exactly why that should be so important, well....blame Bing Crosby and Irving Berlin.

2.  Silver Bells:  this one is another movie song, and talks about the bells of the Salvation Army "in the city". (I always assume it is New York City.)

Another Bing Crosby classic.

 3.  Winter Wonderland: the author of this song was a Jewish man from Brooklyn.  The air must have been a lot less polluted in those days.   When I grew up in the New York City of the 1950's, a snowy day was more like a Black Crusted Snow Wasteland.

This version is sung by Johnny Mathis.

4.  The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire). The Nat King Cole version is one of my favorite songs, ever.  This brings back so many memories of the holiday season in the late 60's in midtown Manhattan and the vendors who sold roasted chestnuts.  The fragrance carried for blocks.  For this song, we thank the Jewish songwriters Mel Torme and Robert Wells.

Jack Frost would certainly nip at your nose in NYC.  The climate there is so damp, it feels way colder than it really is.

5.  Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow:  the duo, both Jewish, who wrote that song, also wrote "The Christmas Waltz".  This version is sung by Dean Martin.

6.  I'll be Home for Christmas.  Again, sung by Bing Crosby (do you get the feeling I'd rather listen to the older singers?)  As an almost-history major in college, this song makes me think of my aunts and uncles who served during World War II.  This song was originally from the soundtrack of the movie Holiday Inn - yes, the movie that the hotel chain Holiday Inn took its name from.  Two of the three writers of this song were Jewish - Walter Kent and Buck Ram.

Finally, something I picked up in my research:  remember Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  It would seem that Johnny Marks, the author of that song (and also "Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas")  was Jewish.

Think of the themes of these songs:  Missing your home.  Childhood nostalgia.  Enjoying a season of lights and happiness. The different child (or reindeer), scorned by others, who becomes the best of all.  These are universal themes, and this is why these songs, I think, are so appealing, no matter who wrote them.

So, thank you for the people responsible for Music Moves Me:and if you love music, why don't you join Xmas Dolly and the other Elves under the mistletoe?

The Head Elf is XmasDolly.  Her co-elves are:  Callie of JAmerican Spice, and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥  & The Rockin' elf Cathy from Curious as a Cathy !

Come join us on this musical train to Christmas!