The Sunday song this week is "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole. This time of the year is always where I'm growing weary of summer and the sweltering weather. I longingly listen to Christmas music in hopes of cooler weather finding us quickly.
Many in my generation do not realize the racism this man and his family faced. His family was unwelcome in their own neighborhood, the Klu Klux Klan burned crosses in his yard, his dog was killed by poisoning, he was physically assaulted multiple times, and a group of six men rushed the stage in an attempt to murder him in 1956. Other black Americans called him an Uncle Tom as he willingly played for segregated audiences saying that he, "couldn't fix the problem in one day." His variety program was the first nationally broadcast television show hosted by a black American yet failed due to Madison Avenue being unwilling to spend advertising dollars on it. At age 45, knowing he was dying of terminal lung cancer and had just a few short months to live, he recorded another album to help solidify his family's financial future. Truly an American worth knowing more about!
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose Yuletide carols being sung by a choir And folks dressed up like Eskimos Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe Help to make the season bright Tiny tots, with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep tonight They know that Santa's on his way He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh And every mother's child is gonna spy To see if reindeer really know how to fly And so I'm offering this simple phrase To kids from one to ninety-two Although it's been said many times, many ways Merry Christmas to you And so I'm offering this simple phrase To kids from one to ninety-two Although it's been said many times, many ways Merry Christmas to you
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