The Band: "Christmas Must Be Tonight"

Hey, Bill O'Reilly! No "war on Christmas" here. Move along, OK?

It's an Art & Argument tradition at this time of year to post The Band's "Christmas Must Be Tonight," a lovely song written by Robbie Robertson, with Rick Danko on lead vocals. Danko was always my favorite of the Band's three lead singers. And this is my favorite Christmas song, a bit outside the norm. The videographer here did a tasty job with the images.

We actually went down to Trinity Church in Boston last weekend for their Christmas music and worship service. I was struck once again how "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" has the best words of any traditional carol. They were written in 1868 by Philips Brooks, long the Rector at Trinity. Yes, the "hopes and fears of all the years."

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight