1. |
Our Sweet Home
03:53
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(Vocals by Mark Wells)
The house I built for the one I love
Is the envy of the street
With a newfound snow like a blanket, pure and sweet
Well it ain't too big, but I think you'll dig
What I've done with all the trim
And the little abode is packed with goodies to the brim
I cut all the boards for the walls
And assembled them gingerly
Now nutmeg and cinnamon in the hall
Says "Christmastime" to me
There's no more need to decorate
'Cause it's festive, through and through
And I won't roam from our sweet home
I'm gonna stay and savor the view
***
I cut all the boards for the walls
And assembled them gingerly
Now nutmeg and cinnamon in the hall
Says "Christmastime" to me
There's no more need to decorate
'Cause it's festive, through and through
And I won't roam from our sweet home
I'm gonna stay and savor the view
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2. |
Coal for Me
04:21
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(Vocals by Tamisha Waden)
I wrote Saint Nick a letter
Told him to bring me coal
(Said) I wrote Saint Nick a letter
Told him to just bring me coal
I've been pretty good this year
But keepin' him happy takes a toll
Why should I make the nice list
How does he get to draw the line?
Why should I make the nice list
How does he get to draw the line ?
That old man wants me to act
Like it's 1929
Coal for me and coal for you
That's the thing I desire
Coal for me and coal for you
Baby that's the thing I desire
And when we put it all together
Maybe we can spark a fire
***
Coal for me
And Coal for You
Saint Nick should listen up
'Cause I'm gonna tell him what to do
Coal for me and coal for you
That's the thing I desire
And when we put it all together
Maybe we can spark a fire
And when we put it all together
We'll ride out the winter weather
Coal for me and coal for you
And baby we could spark a fire
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3. |
Santa's Cap
02:54
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(Vocals by Laura Windley)
Santa's cap went missing this year
He didn't know he held it quite so dear
He and Mrs. Claus came back from all their summer travel
He looked right where he left it, and things started to unravel
'Cause without his cap old Claus, he ain't the same
It's where he kept his precious list of names
Should have been more careful, now it's nowhere on the map
And he longs for the good old days when he had his cap
***
Without his cap old Claus, he ain't the same
It's where he kept his precious list of names
Should have been more careful, now it's nowhere on the map
And he longs for the good old days, he longs for the good old days
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4. |
Another Cozy Moment
03:59
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(Vocals by Shana Tucker w/ Mark Wells)
Sippin' tea and contemplatin'
By the fire I don't mind waiting for
The storm passing by, not I
It's another cozy moment with you
Don't know how I had mistaken
You for someone who was taken
But now when you sigh, oh my
It's another cozy moment with you
I used to worry that we were in a hurry
And our feelings would grow cold
But now when it's a-stormin' our toes they are a-warmin'
And we talk of growing old
As the embers gently wink out
I know what that look is all about
And the gleam in your eye, I'd die
For another cozy moment with you
***
Sippin' tea and contemplatin'
By the fire I don't mind waiting for
The storm passing by, not I!
It's another cozy moment with you
Don't know how I had mistaken
You for someone who was taken
But now when you sigh, oh my!
It's another cozy moment with you
I used to worry that we were in a hurry
And our feelings would grow cold
But now when it's stormin' our toes they are a-warmin'
And we talk of growing old
As the embers gently wink out
I know what that look is all about
And the gleam in your eye, I'd die
For another cozy moment with you
Another cozy moment with you
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5. |
Snow Day
03:01
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(Vocals by Mark Wells)
Go look out in the yard
I'm shook: flakes are falling hard
The school bus ain't comin' up the hill today
Now go grab your coat and hat
You know where the party's at
The school bus ain't comin' up the hill today
When we get to slidin' down
Our favorite spot in this old town
The snow will melt all our cares away
We're out 'till the sun is set
No doubt that the folks will fret
Snowballs are slingin', 'till the dinner bell's ringin'
And the school bus ain't comin' up the hill today
***
When we get to slidin' down
Our favorite spot in this old town
The snow will melt all our cares away
We're out 'till the sun is set
No doubt that the folks will fret
Snowballs are slingin', and the dinner bell's ringin'
And the school bus ain't comin' up the hill today
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6. |
A Queen's Christmas
03:44
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(Vocals by Meggan Cashwell)
A couple hundred years ago
When the temperature would dip down low
Christmastime, wasn't much like today
Less caroling in the air
And no stockings hung with care
No cards or crackers or national holiday
Then queen Vic, she let Albert
Go out and cut a tree
He brought it inside like they did back home
With the kids in Germany
Soon it was the talk of the town
As they decorated up and down
And a Queen's Christmas became the brand new way
***
Little bells on a sleigh
Used to mean "step out of the way"
Then a brand new song came along in a happy key
Shippin' on steam and rail
And a half a penny for the mail
Brought toys and cheer from the mountains to the sea
Pretty soon, workin' folk had a day off
And it was s'well
And Dickens and Moore wrote a couple of tales
I'm sure you know pretty well
Victorians one and all
Had tradition on the ball
Now it's a Queen's Christmas each year around the tree
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7. |
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(Vocals by Laura Windley)
A frosty night, you're snug in bed
Worry dances through your head
You lock the door, the window too
But you can't lock the chimney
A string of break-ins in the town
Authorities can't track him down
The next one on the list is you
When you can't lock the chimney
Suddenly, there's a clatter on the roof
Like climbing gear, or a creature's hoof
You spring up, but it's too late
He's coming through and feeling great
It's an open avenue
When you can't lock the chimney
***
Hits the bottom with a thud
Weathered coat as red as blood
He's already in the room
Yeah, you can't lock the chimney
Eats your cookies, drinks the gin
Grizzled face it forms a grin
With all the treats that he'll consume
Oh you can't lock the chimney
Belly full, then he opens up a sack
Your precious toys won't be coming back
Through the branches of the tree
The silver and the jewelry
It was easy to assume
That you can't lock the chimney
***
Sirens wail, and he hurries up the chute
Gone in a flash, and he's got the loot
How he fits you can't conceive
A children's tale you may believe
If only it were Christmas Eve
But no you can't lock it
And the man's gonna rock it
No, you can't
You can't lock the chimney
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8. |
The Single Tree
04:55
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(Vocals by Dave Wright)
Every now and again I stumble back in
To your memory
It's like a pine needle found 'neath the cushion
From last year's Christmas Tree
As the seasons turn, I still feel the burn
Of what might have been
But I won't give in
To sweet sympathy, not me
Many sweethearts depart and a broken heart
Prays for love to return
But if Kris Kringle brought all our old lover's back
Then we'd never learn
While the sting is still there, there's a thrill in the air
Made of hope and possibility
So I'm happy for now
With the single tree
***
Many sweethearts depart and a broken heart
Prays for love to return
But if Kris Kringle brought all our old lover's back
Then we'd never learn
While the sting is still there, there's a thrill in the air
Made of hope and possibility
So I'm happy for now
Yes, I'm happy for now
Just me
And the single tree
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9. |
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(Vocals by Laura Windley)
As the nights grow longer
I long to be by your side
When the wind grows stronger
Strong feelings I'll confide
Before we know it, spring will break the cold
And thaw the ground, but
Nothin' like the winter
When turning loneliness around
***
Before we know it, spring will break the cold
And thaw the ground, but
Nothin' like the winter
When turning loneliness around
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10. |
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(Vocals by Mark Wells)
It's a special day, in case you hadn't heard
And if you're ready to celebrate, just say the word
If the months have worn you down, and you need a little cheer
We've got the greatest birthday party of the year
Doesn't matter who you are or who you love
Come on down to my place, where the hang's a cut above
All of my friends are lookin' grand
We're gonna cook up a storm and book a band
It's the greatest birthday party of the year
***
It's a special day, in case you hadn't heard
And if you're ready to celebrate, just say the word
If the months have worn you down, and you need a little cheer
We've got the greatest birthday party of the year
Doesn't matter who you are or who you love
Come on down to my place, where the hang's a cut above
All of my friends are lookin' grand
We're gonna cook up a storm and book a band
It's the greatest birthday party of the year
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11. |
A Charming Winter Town
03:58
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(Vocals by Laura Windley)
The holidays are ending
The caroling is through
No more gifts to open
As our loved ones bid "adieu"
But anticipation tingles
Down through every single toe
And if you want to move your feet
You oughta know:
There's a charming winter town
In the west of Caroline
I'll be headed there
When the stars align
I'm gonna see some old friends
And I hope to make some new
And if you pack your shoes
Maybe you can Focus too
A certain kind of magic
Pervades every song I hear
And the big band swingin' will keep me singin'
Right into the brand new year
If you think the party's over
On December Twenty-Five
You're gonna change your tune
Just as soon as you arrive!
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12. |
Auld Lang Syne
02:46
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(Vocals by Marcia McKenzie)
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And old lang syne
For auld lang syne my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
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Keenan McKenzie Durham, North Carolina
Keenan McKenzie is a Durham-based saxophone and clarinet player, specializing in dance-oriented music. In addition to leading his own band, the Riffers, he appears with The Mint Julep Jazz Band, Michael Gamble, Jonathan Stout, The Rhythm Serenaders, and The Shakedown. ... more
Keenan McKenzie recommends:
All Cooped Up - Quarantine EP
by Jonathan Stout
Jonathan's latest EP features 5 clever guitar arrangements (including one of of my tunes!) - if you dig this, you should also check out his previous release, "Pick it and Play It"
go to album
Latch Onto That Rhythm (Isolation Sessions #1)
by Michael Gamble and his Very Swinging Friends
Michael coordinated the recording of FOUR quarantine EPs this summer! You'll hear well-known swing musicians from across the US, and you'd almost believe it was recorded live in a club. Enjoy!
go to album
Tribute to Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars / Live at Lindy Focus
by Gordon Au
I had the privilege of being a part of this show back in December. An unforgettable night of music, with many highlights, including stellar band-leading and playing by trumpeter Gordon Au.
go to albumIf you like Keenan McKenzie, you may also like:
Pass The Bounce
by Brooks Prumo Orchestra
supported by 81 fans who also own “A Bull City Holiday”
I've been playing this CD on repeat for DAYS! Great dance music!
go to album
Spreadin' Rhythm Around
by Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five
supported by 80 fans who also own “A Bull City Holiday”
Campus Five will always pack a dance floor and this album is no exception
go to album
A stunning new record from the Arkestra that captures the spirit of the original lineup.
go to album
