++ Rita MacNeil Official Site: Discography ++

ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS

When a season is so special it's not hard to celebrate it in song over and over again and the greatest experiences from all of this is the gift of love. When long ago Mary journeyed hard into the night looking for shelter, we look up - see the star and we are reminded once again.

Click song titles for lyrics, play icons for Real Audio sound clips

Track Listing & Sound Clips

1.   Rocking The Cradle / I Saw Three Ships
2.   A Night To Remember
3.   Once Upon A Christmas
4.   Bright Light
5.   Good King Wencelas
6.   The Gift Of Love
7.   Mary Mary
8.   With My Family
9.   When It Comes To Christmas
10. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)

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Rocking The Cradle

She’s rocking the cradle
Her father he made it
He filled it with paper
And an old rag doll

He’s pulling the wagon
His father he made it
He filled it with pine cones
And the wheels go round

The Child in the stable
He sleeps in a manger
His father he made it
From golden straw

And here are the children
Who face tomorrow
The Child in the stable
Will lead them on

She’s wearing a red dress
Her mother she made it
She laced it with ribbons
That all hang down

He’s wearing a white coat
His mother she made it
She filled it with goose down
To keep him warm

The Child in the stable
He’s wrapped in warm cloth
His mother she made it
From a woven shawl

And they are the children
Who face tomorrow
The Child in the stable
Will lead them on

And we are the people
Who watch the Children
And He will teach us
To love them all

I say three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
I say three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning

Repeat last verse

Words and Music by Rita MacNeil
© 1994 Big Pond Publishing and Production Limited

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A Night To Remember

I look out in wonder a night to remember
Oh precious tidings, that come with the morn
In sweet adoration a time to remember
Strangers all travel to bring forth their joy

Hallelujah we say again
Raise our voice, our hearts, our hands
Christ Our Saviour, Christmas Day

Hope of the ages in sweet expectation
We wait in the darkness for He shall come
Bring forth the Saviour, let us adore Him
Glad hearts are waiting, let us rejoice

Hallelujah we say again
Raise our voice, our hearts, our hands
Christ Our Saviour, Christmas Day

Words and Music by Rita MacNeil
© 1994 Big Pond Publishing and Production Limited

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Once Upon A Christmas
(Across The Miles Tonight)

The apples in December were still upon the tree
A lone bird was singing sweet by the frozen stream
Once upon a Christmas how I long to see
A hint of white, all is bright
You waiting for me

The ribbons and the presents were never very far
You always knew just what to give to touch somebody’s heart
Once upon a Christmas, how it used to be
A winter’s night, all is bright
And you waiting for me

I know it’s that time again, you must feel it too
We live in different places now, it’s Christmas without you
But if I take a moment, I close my eyes real tight
I’ll send you my best wishes, across the miles tonight

Do you watch the snowflakes fall, like you used to do
And worry when that day arrives, forget a gift or two
Once upon a Christmas when there was you and me
Making lists, wrapping gifts and sharing all our dreams

Words and Music by Rita MacNeil
© 1994 Big Pond Publishing and Production Limited

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Bright Light

There is a bright light shining tonight
Follow that bright star into the night
This ancient story, a simple birth
Night to remember, peace on earth

There is a manger so far away
Gather around Him on this day
Hear all the voices rise now and then
Night of our Saviour, teach us again

There is a story that never grows old
It tells of great hope whenever it’s told
Glory to heaven we say tonight
Bring into this age Your lasting light

Let there be singing for all tonight
Speak of praises O Holy Night

Words and Music by Rita MacNeil
© 1994 Big Pond Publishing and Production

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The Gift Of Love

A village of great hope and childhood dreams
There wasn’t a Christmas I didn’t see
You struggled with hard times, it just shouldn’t be
And love was the greatest gift by the tree

A day to remember from all the rest
There wasn’t a moment that I would regret
You squandered a fortune on hard work and love
There wasn’t a corner where you didn’t shine

Now Christmas is coming and you’re growing old
You were the first one who taught me to love
Tonight by the fire, the tree dressed in lights
You’re still a candle that burns in my life

I hope I’ll be able to share as you have
Gifts without ribbons whenever I can
To know in the morning there by the tree
The same gift you gave me when I was a kid

Now Christmas is coming and you’re growing old
You were the first one who taught me to love
Tonight by the fire, the tree dressed in lights
You’re still a candle that burns in my live

Now Christmas is coming and you’re growing old
You were the first one who taught me to love
Tonight by the fire, the tree dressed in lights
You’re still a candle that burns in my life
You’re still a candle that burns in my life

Words and Music by Rita MacNeil
©1994 Big Pond Publishing and Productions Limited

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Mary Mary

There are miles to go before you sleep
Mary the night comes stealing
You are weary and the winds they weep
Hear the distant heartbeat

Chorus:

Mary, Mary, thou are humble
Praise the star you travel under

There are three wise men and gifts they are bringing
Lay them down before Him
And the shepherd boy on a staff is leaning
Ne’er a word is spoken

Repeat Chorus

You will lay your Child in a manger lowly
Come let us adore Him
We will bow our heads lay praise before Him
All good hearts behold them

Repeat Chorus (2)

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With My Family

It’s that time of year again
Snow has fallen everywhere
It’s you and me and Christmas time
Can’t you hear the bells ring

Chorus:
All I want under my tree
Peace and love and harmony
Wrap it with a ribbon please
I’ll share it with my family

It’s that day I want to see
‘Cause it means so much to me
The greatest light within our reach
Can’t you hear the world singing

Chorus

Many now have come and gone
I’ve hung a star for every one
The message oh the same old one
Don’t you know the child’s sleeping

Chorus (Repeat Chorus)

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When It Comes To Christmas

Did you make the Christmas cards many years ago
And when you painted on the scene, how did the story go
Was it bright red and green with a hint of silver thaw
Were there happy faces behind every door

Did you always feel somehow that you had to show
Shoppers with their presents and the whitest of snow
Did they rush to and fro’ with a special season glow
That seems to be repeating in everyone you know

And when it comes to Christmas
And Christmas cards we write
The meaning is no different
Pease, hope and love

Did you show that beaten path, footprints in the snow
The little church upon the hill where everybody goes
And the star shining bright and the brightest star of all
Wherever people gather, they sing and praise tonight

And when it comes to Christmas
And Christmas cards we write
The meaning is no different
Peace, hope and love
The meaning is no different
Peace, hope and love

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