Aiken Songs Impart Holiday Message

Don't Save It All for Christmas Day - Montage by SueReu

Don't Save It All for Christmas Day

Montages Give Season Meaning

One of the most meaningful messages of the holiday season is located in what has become a signature song for Clay Aiken -- "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day."

The montage Four Years of Don't Save It All for Christmas Day by SueReu highlights CA performances of the song from 2004-07 with video credits to American Idol, Spotlightlover, LauraQ, and Jojoct. Download the montage with this Sendspace link.

Co-written by Celine Dion, the single was covered by Clay on his popular Merry Christmas with Love CD of 2004. Following the DSIAFCD lyrics, a new montage by Aspiegirl continues the year-round theme.

Don't Save It All For Christmas Day

Don't get so busy that you miss
Giving just a little kiss
To the ones you love
And don't even wait a little while
To give them a little smile
A little is enough

How many people are crying
Some people are dying...
How many people are askin’ for love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...

How could you wait another minute
A hug is warmer when you're in it
Oh Baby that's a fact
And saying "I love you's" always better
Seasons, reasons, they don't matter
So don't hold back
How many people in this world
So needful in this world
How many people are praying for love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Give love…..

Let all the children know
Everywhere that they go
Their whole life long
Let them know love

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh [sung over Don't save it all for Christmas Day]
Yeah, and give a little love everyday

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
Cause holidays have come and gone

[fading]
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
Cause holidays have come and gone

Montage Focuses on Children in Need

In her new montage, Aspiegirl featured Clay's "duet" with Bing Crosby from the 2003 Nick at Night Holiday Special. In the preface at YouTube, she shared some of the research that preceded the creation of this Little Drummer Boy montage.

The video opens with children forced to beg for money in the streets of New Delhi, India. Their enforcers profit greatly from the young beggars.

The young boy at the end of the montage is from America. As the video shows, many people walk by, turning a blind eye to what is going on.

Little Drummer Boy - Montage by Aspiegirl

In addition to the CA clips, Aspiegirl credited YouTube videographers Radiationzzzz, neoguri808, and InflationUS. You can download the Little Drummer Boy montage with this Sendspace.

Mother Nature Ushers in Cantata

This weekend (Saturday morning rehearsal and two Sunday morning services) I am playing oboe in the annual Lessons and Carols program at Jamestown United Methodist Church. As always, it's a family affair with my sister and niece on flute and my brother-in-law conducting the 72 choristers, 32-piece orchestra, and 16-member handbell choir.

The program includes the rhythmic and spirited ("Carol to the King," "Rejoice and Be Merry," "Masters in This Hall"), the quiet and expressive ("How Far Is It to Bethlehem," "What Child Is This," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"), and even a West Indian carol in calypso style, "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy."

The only damper on this program is the fact that Mother Nature seems to have saved all the rain for cantata day. The weather forecast Sunday morning registers at 90-100% chance for an all-out downpour. Performers and congregation will start the service somewhere between drenched and damp.

POSTSCRIPT: Despite the weather obstacles, the dampened musicians presented a program of glorious, uplifting music. The large sanctuary was packed with extra chairs added in the vestible, but the second service was still standing room only!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!