Oh Hannukah and We Wish You a Merry Christmas

I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise that I love Christmas music! It’s one of my favorite things about this beautiful, yet often hectic season. I love the traditional carols and even the popular hits (Santa Baby anyone?). It has been such a joy to introduce some holiday favorites to my daughter over the past couple of years. Though we celebrate Christmas in our home, we’ve also enjoyed learning some Hannukah songs.

Today we want to share one Hannukah song and one Christmas song with you and your little one(s). 

“Oh Hannukah” lends itself nicely to some simple choreography. My daughter loves doing this with me while I hold her, but you can also encourage your child to try the movements themselves. We respond to the text and the mood of the song in a pretty straightforward way. “Gather round” invites us to spin, “burning low” takes us low to the ground. Smoother sections invite us to sway, while faster rhythms get us marching.

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is a perfect song to sing with kids because it contains so much repetition, making it catchy and easy to learn. Here’s an idea for a fun way to practice it with your child:

Choose a simple rhythm instrument (maybe a drum, maybe some rhythms sticks), and play your instrument on the word “wish” and the first syllable of “Christmas”, creating a slow steady beat. During the “good tidings” section, play your instrument in a different way, creating softer, smoother sounds. Go on to the next verse and giggle together about “figgy pudding”, but then try switching out the words “figgy pudding” with some other food that your child loves. (Example, “Now bring us some mac and cheese” - my daughter’s latest obsession…)

Which holiday songs have you been singing with your child(ren)? Do their favorites match up with your favorites?

Here are the lyrics for both songs:

Oh Hanukkah

Hanukkah oh Hanukkah come light the menorah

Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora.

Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat.

A dreidel to play with and latkes to eat.

And while we - are playing -

The candles are burning low

One for each night, they will shed a sweet light

To remind us of days long ago

One for each night, they shed a sweet light

To remind us of days long ago

(repeat)

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year

Now bring us some figgy pudding,

Now bring us some figgy pudding,

Now brings us some figgy pudding, and a cup of good cheer.

We won't go until we get some

We won't go until we get some

We won't go until we get some, so bring it right here.