I wanted to record the arrangement of Christmas Carols that I grew up with in Poland for a very long time. Finally, i did it. The compilation is a reflection on what Christmas time means to me… It seems that this season has become a time for fishing for “perfect” gifts, spending obscene amounts of money, and being guilted into donating to charities… (Do we really need to wait a whole year to give a few bucks, or a few hours of our time to a nearby soup kitchen)… Isn’t it sickening that while ThanksGiving day is not over yet, local grocery stores already offer “deals” on X-mas “perfect” gifts for your loved ones?

“The more you spend, the more you save?” really? Which economy theory is that?

So, what does Christmas mean to shpakOO?

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I start my compilation with one of the most universal carols out there, Silent Night. It exists in Polish, English, I’ve sung it in German in chorus, I’ve heard it done in Japanese, French… The melody is simple, tranquil, and always reminds me that this magical time of year is coming…

Lulajże Jezuniu, which follows, is a sweet lullaby for a new born baby. The lyrics talk about the mom gently cradling her child in her arms, making sure that the baby feels safe, and will fall soundly asleep to get rest… Jezus Malusienki is a stern reminder, however, of how awful is the world that surrounds the newly-born. His cries are well heard throughout the stables where he entered this world. The cries are a constant reminder to the mother how cold the baby must feel… And as the family is not able to afford even a simple cradle, nor a blanky, not to mention a snuggie, the mother tries to make the best of her situation: she takes a piece of cloth, a patch, wraps the baby carefully in it and then carefully places the bundle among a stack of  hay to make the baby feel warmer… That’s what mothers do. They make us feel safe, warm, loved … to the best of their abilities.

Bóg się rodzi is a bit of a change in the mood because, despite the situation in the stable, what’s really happening is that someone special (God’s son) is being born. This naked, crying little baby now, will be remembered for thousands of years to come. Regardless of the fact that at this point in time the only thing that matters to the mother is keeping her child safe and warm, “the fire freezes,” and the “brightness dims,” signs that this child is meant for great things…

Meanwhile, Wśród Nocnej Ciszy among the night’s silence and peace, voices are stirring as the shepherds all over the area are waking up, realizing that something incredible has happened that night. That 4000 years of prophecies, waiting, uncertainty, have finally come to an end. They all realize that a time of great joy has come to Betlehem ! Because… Dzisiaj w Betlejem- great news, Today in Betlehem! THE baby was born. The angels are singing, the people play songs, celebrate, dance, the kings come pay their respects, even the animals kneel and want to be near when this all is happening. Everyone and their mom rejoices about the miracle that has happened and those that are yet to come.

The night is young. More rejoicing. Przybieżeli do Betlejem, more shepherds are coming, there is more singing, everyone tries to make the baby feel welcome, safe, loved, praise God… Hey, w dzień Narodzenia, today is the Day Of The Birth. On this day, let’s rejoice, celebrate, let us throw our worries away because better times are coming ! It’s the time of hope…

Gdy  śliczna panna, is the last part of the compilation-arrangement: in all of this craziness: we have animals, kings, shepherds, visitors, singing, rejoicing, instruments, gifts, songs… The most important part is the New Mother. Undisturbed, she continues to cradle her son in her arms, and when she does, she sings to him gently lightly, melodically, a lullaby, so that her beautiful baby knows he is loved, safe, cared for, adored … he is the entire world to his mother.

The night becomes silent again, tranquil, peaceful…

in summary…

Mind you, I’ve never been extremely religious, and I don’t try claim that my recording of the traditional Polish Christmas Carols is a sign of a sudden spiritual revival of shpakOO. Regardless, the story of Jezus’ birth has been remembered for thousands of years (literally). That is something, and I will not try to discredit that. Unfortunately, It’s too bad that the story has been transformed into a scheme forcing us to spend money on forced gifts and excessive decorations… because we “should” …

What I do appreciate about this time of year is year’s own coming to an end, and that another one is about to begin. A new beginning is coming! Whether it will mean wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch, or continuing the good streak from the previous year, it’s all good! Whatever you hope for in the new year, now it is a time to reflect. Now it’s a great time to slow down, rest, spend some time with your families, figure out how they have been doing, since everyone is always so busy throughout the year… Reconnect with your parents/brothers/sisters/friends and tell them how much they mean to you (if you don’t do that on a regular basis)…

Enough preaching, i’m a composer/arranger, damn it… just wanted to have my two cents/grosze known =)

Enjoy the Christmas Eve dinner and maybe sing along to some of my Carols now and then?