Recording began after Christmas of 2014. gzuslivz has lead worship at Legacy Christian Church for over 10 years now. We have had a wide variety of Christmas music over the years including: acoustic guitar & vocals only, Handel's Messiah by Reliant K, Away in a Manger by Blind Boys of Alabama, Jingle Bells by The Brian Setzer Orchestra, We Three Kings by Amped, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful by Twisted Sister. Ironically, I (Kirk) don't really like Christmas songs. So why do an album of Christmas songs? I thought it might be interesting to create our own version of typical Christmas songs, maybe done a-typically; that's how I am. The original versions of all these songs are public domain ( http://www.pdinfo.com/pd-music-genres/pd-christmas-songs.php ) so we didn't have to mess around with licensing. Yay!
Instruments for this album
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals are listed for each song
All arrangements by Kirk Hopkins
Recording Notes and Music Gear
All songs were recorded and mixed on location in the Hopkins Studio in Okeana, Ohio by Kirk Hopkins
The album was mastered by Sam Freese of Black Creek Recording
Kirk's gear:
Vintage Ludwig drums with Remo Ambassador heads
4 concert toms with Remo Pinstripe heads
Zildjian cymbals
Wuhan cymbals
Sound percussion hardware
VicFirth 5b nylon tip sticks
Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar
iPhone running JamUp Pro (effects)
Griffin Guitar Connect cable
Bose Quietcomfort 15 (noise canceling headphones)
Bose AE2 (headphones)
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro (headphones)
MacBook Pro with Logic Pro 9
Tascam US-144MKII (4 channel USB mixer)
Tascam US-1800 (14 channel USB mixer)
2 sets of CAD 7 drumset mics
MXL 990 Condenser vocal microphone with shock mount and shield
Fostex powered monitors
What Child Is This?
Verse 1: Am C/E G Em What Child is this, who laid to rest, Am Am Em Em On Mary's lap is sleeping? Am C/E G Em Whom angels greet with anthems sweet Am E7 Am Am While shepherds watch are keeping? Chorus: Em C/E G Em This, this is Christ the King Am Am Em Em Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Em C/E G Em Haste, haste to bring Him laud, Am E7 Am Am The Babe, the Son of Mary. Verse 2: Am C/E G Em Why lies he in such mean estate Am Am Em Em Where ox and ass are feeding? Am C/E G Em Good Christian, fear for sinners here, Am E7 Am Am The silent Word is pleasing. Repeat Chorus Verse 3: Am C/E G Em So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh; Am Am Em Em Come, peasant king, to own Him. Am C/E G Em The King of Kings salvation brings; Am E7 Am Am Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Repeat Chorus Ending: Am E7 Am Am The Babe, the Son of Mary. Am E7 Am Am The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Pam Hopkins
O Holy Night
A D A O holy night, the stars are brightly shining E7 A It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. A D A A7 Long lay the world in sin and sorrow pining, C#m G#m7 C#m Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. E7 A A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, E7 A For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. F#m C#m Bm F#m Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices. A E7 A D A E7 A O night divine, O night when Christ was born. E7 A D A E7 A O night divine, O night when Christ was born. Repeat song
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Bob Conly
Vocals, Choir - Carley Wesseler
Vocals, Choir - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, Choir - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals, Choir - Pam Hopkins
O Come All Ye Faithful
Intro: D Verse 1: D A D A O come, all ye faithful. Joyful and triumphant Bm A E A O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem D Em D A Come and behold Him, born the King of angels Chorus: D D O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him G A D A D O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord Verse 2: D A D A Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Bm A E A Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above: D Em D A "Glory to God, all glory in the highest!" Repeat Chorus Ending: G A D A D O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Pam Hopkins
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Intro: Em O come, O come, Emmanuel Em Em Am Bm G O come, O come, Emmanuel G C Am Bm Em (2 measures) and ransom captive Israel Am Em D that mourns in lonely exile here G D G (2 measures) until the Son of God appear Chorus: D Bm Am Bm Em Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel G C Am Bm Em shall come to thee, O Israel
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals, echoes - Carley Wesseler
Vocals, echoes - Josh Mains
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Verse: (Slow) C F C G C O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! C A Dm C G C Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. C G/B Am E Am Dm E Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; C F C G C The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. 4 measures fast Verse: (Fast) C F C G C O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! C A Dm C G C Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. C E Am E Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; C F C G C The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee (repeat) Repeat Verse even faster Outro: 1/2 speed C F C G C The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. (yelling) they are met in thee tonight
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Pam Hopkins
Vocals/yelling, Lead - Kirk
Angels We Have Heard on High
Intro: D D Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Chorus: D A D A D A Gloooooooooooori-a , in excelsis Deo D A D A D AD Gloooooooooooori-a , in excelsis Deo Verse 2: D Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? Verse 3: D Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing. Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Repeat Chorus Repeat Chorus acapella
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Carley Wesseler
Vocals - Pam Hopkins
Vocals - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals - Josh Mains
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Chorus: D A D Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere D A D Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born Verse 1: D While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night D Behold throughout the heavens there shone a Holy Light Repeat Chorus Verse 2: D The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! Above the earth D Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviour's birth Repeat Chorus Verse 3: D Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born D And brought us God's salvation that blessed Christmas morn Repeat Chorus Repeat Chorus acapella
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
G D I heard the bells on Christmas day G D Their old familiar carols play, G Em And wild and sweet the words repeat G D G Of peace on earth, goodwill to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head 'There is no peace on earth,' I said, 'For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.' Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men.' Till ringing, singing on its way The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good will to men. I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, goodwill to men. Capo 5 G->D, D->A, Em->Bm
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Pam Hopkins
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Drop the low E to a D Em God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Saviour Was born on Christmas Day Am G/B To save us all from Satan's pow'r Em D When we were gone astray Chorus: G/B B2 Em D O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy! G/B B2 | Em O tidings of comfort and joy Repeat Song Ending: God rest me merry gentlemen & comfort and joy (echoey)
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Away in a Manger
Verse 1: E E A E Away in a manger, no crib for a bed B7 B7 E E The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head E E A E The stars in the sky looked down where He lay B7 E A (B7) E The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay Verse 2: E E A E The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes B7 B7 E E But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes E E A E I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky B7 E A (B7) E And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh Verse 3: E E A E Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay B7 B7 E E Close by me forever, and love me, I pray E E A E Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care B7 E A (B7) E And take us to heaven to live with Thee there Repeat Verse 3
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, verse 1 - Josh Mains
Vocals, verse 2 - Carley Wesseler
Vocals, verse 3 - Bob Conly
Vocals, a capella - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals, a capella - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals, a capella - Pam Hopkins
Silent Night
Verse 1: G Silent night, holy night D G All is calm, All is bright C G Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child C G Holy Infant so Tender and mild, D G Sleep in heavenly peace, G D G Sleep in heavenly peace. Verse 2: G Silent night, holy night D G Shepherds quake at the sight, C G Glories stream from heaven afar, C G Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia D G Christ the Savior is born! G D G Christ the Savior is born. Verse 3: G Silent night, holy night D G Son of God, love's pure light C G Radiant beams from Thy holy face C G with the dawn of redeeming grace, D G Jesus Lord at thy birth, G D G Jesus Lord at thy birth. Repeat Verse 1
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Jingle Bells in A
Chorus: A Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, D A E7 Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, hey, A Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, D A E7 A Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. Verse: A D Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh, E7 A O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way, A D Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright, E7 A What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight, oh Repeat Chorus Repeat Verse very slowly (no timing) Repeat Chorus very fast and get faster Repeat Chorus even faster Outro: (ultra slowly) D A E7 A Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins Version
Vocals, Lead - Josh Mains