I Know All The Words

This post was written by my dear friend and guest blogger, Tricia Swenson.

I know all the words to the Christmas songs you are hearing right now – on the radio, in the stores, on your iPod.  I was just listening to the radio while in the car the other day (yes, I still listen to the radio, just regular, local radio, not even satellite radio) and the classic, “Jingle Bells” came on and it was so familiar, like seeing an old friend.  I took comfort in it, even smiled, alone in my car while trying to find a parking spot. I started to sing along for a little bit, but after years of high school and college cheerleading and yelling at little kids to “make a wedge” while I was a ski instructor, I have vocal nodes and can’t belt out much of anything anymore.  But I’ll whistle, hum along, and even mouth the words in church while the congregation is singing a Christmas carol because I don’t want to be left out of the action.

I know all the words and I know all the songs.  They bring me comfort, sort of like going back for homecoming or a family reunion year after year, these songs return, the same time every season (or sometimes earlier than expected, like in the fall when the leaves haven’t even fallen yet and the big box stores are enticing you to come in and do your holiday shopping).  But just like that, those songs surround us.  I don’t have a favorite; I like different songs at different times.  “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” when I am feeling sentimental, “Jingle Bell Rock” when I am feeling festive, and “Silent Night” when I am feeling reflective and spiritual.

Elementary kids singing their hearts out

I know all the words.  I have known most of them since Kindergarten, learning the more complex songs and multi-part harmonies later in Junior High and High School.  I was fortunate to grow up during a time when Christmas programs were allowed in schools, and my school put on one of the best shows within a 7 county radius.  Our small school (I had 38 in my graduating class) hosted “productions” – we had spotlights, props, and narrators in costume, multiple sections of risers, we had fully decorated Christmas trees, tons of them, and the whole school was a part of it.  These “productions” were the brainchild of our musical directors at our school, Myron and Pam Dybing.  This husband-wife team was a powerhouse of musical talent, not only in what they taught us but what they could pull off with limited resources and time.  We didn’t notice as kids, we just thought it was fun to sing those happy songs, be a part of something bigger.  As an adult, I can appreciate the time and dedication it took to put this together and wonder how they did it for so many years.  

 

Stage Band

The annual Kindred School Christmas program took up the entire gymnasium and it was packed not only with kids from grades K-12, but everyone’s parents, grandparents, neighbors, empty nesters and alumni who didn’t live too far away.  We would incorporate not only voices, but instrumentals, fun items from the percussion department would come out, and oh how I loved the magical sounds of the chimes.  Our best and brightest singers would treat us to fabulous solos.   If, coincidentally you lost your two front teeth around, say, November, you were probably picked to sing the solo in “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth”.  When show time arrived, it was a big deal.  The last minute jitters, realizing the difference between feeling ill and just being nervous, sweaty palms.

Swing Choir

Mr. and Mrs. Dybing had to single-
handedly pull us all together as a group and one quote I remember them saying was “don’t lock your knees” – something about fainting if you do.   And to “take a deep breath”.  I remember it being a night everyone looked forward to and we all dressed in our holiday best.  Plenty of velvet and satin ribbons, the occasional Kindergartener getting distracted and turning around to talk to a little friend in the row behind her, only to reveal she had tucked her red velvet dress into her bloomers with the white lace ruffles on them.  That comic relief was sometimes needed when the gymnasium was dark except for spot lights.  The hugs, praise, and big smiles were evidence the show was a success and surrounding school districts would envy our shows. We took great pride after it was done.  It was a highlight of the year.  

I know all the words to the songs and I am so glad I do.  I owe that to the dedication and hard work of the Dybings and their dedication to this sacred holiday and the example they set to “think big” and go for perfection.  I am glad I grew up with that opportunity and to this day will smile, try to sing along a bit, and never turn the radio station when those timeless tunes come on.