Jethro Tull - Christmas song

[SuperFirewire1]

I always thought ian wrote this song, then one day in church back like in 1975- i picked up the song and pray book and was this is a church song from many many years ago. word for word. Ian just added the part about "christmas party take a running jump. lol But i guess he just forgets to tell us fans he stoled "i mean borrowed" 50% of the words to this song. But wjat the hell they all do it right?

[BLUESMANRONCHICAGO]

heard an interview the other day on classic rock station, Ian was talking about this song, and he just wanted to point out that so many people have lost the spirituality of the Xmas holiday, and that the birth of the baby Jesus is what the true meaning of Xmas is all about

[666uberstud666]

what? no Genesis or King Crimson carols?

van der Graaf Generator carol?

I'm sure Mr. Anderson would make a fine Jesus at a nativity pageant. ("Well they call me preach-a-aa...") ("Bible in the Jungle"?)

[seeker6797]

Merry Christams from California.

[meowandmeow]

whats the origin of that father aqualung picture?>

[WrathchildNH]

the cynicism of a young man in 1971..... Imagine if Ian were 20 today..... he probably would skip writing lyrics and just blow up a shopping mall.....always loved this man and his music..... seen him over 25 times live since I was 14 in 1977

[willmetall100]

LOL papai Aqualung...

[GTX1123]

Like so many of Ian's songs this tune is sooooooooo intense. It's reminds me of something right out of C.S. Lewis' Narnia.

[lilliemom]

"The Christmas spirit is not what you drink"

[sunshine54418]

it has been a long time since I listened to Tull at 55 I love his music

[TIMOTHYSAARINEN]

Even though I'm an atheist, I've always admired the line "You'd do well to remember the things he later said".

[BubbaZen10]

This song has been a Christmas tradition for me for a long time. It's not Christmas 'til i hear this. Last few years haven't had my record player, so i couldn't hear it. It's nice knowing i always have it on here now! Merry Christmas all. Cheers!

[Terlingua27]

Another of their many classics. Not many bands are so versatile.

[suze816]

An old favorite of mine since it came out in the early 70's.

[DrMarianus]

Loved this song when I first heard it back in the early 70's. Clever and deep-felt lyrics, lovely playing by both the band and the accompanying string section. It's amazing how many musicians over the centuries have celebrated the birth of Christ with music.

[wsjjc777]

It is truely a celabration time!! I propose a toast too: Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull and of course "Christ". Thanks for this contribution :)

[zodiacgcode]

God is hearing this song now.

[thephunkmiester]

one of the best xmas songs i know :) but then i do like tull anyway

[tariksba]

great ,the picture...

[jamo387]

Shhhh, can't mention Christmas. It might offend non-Christians. For Shame !!

[iso9001checklist1]

1968. Best xmas song ever!

[littleredluck]

littleredluck@yahoo.com

[moncrief1961]

my first encounter with Jethro tull was Songs from the wood...I've been hooked ever sense. 

[HAWKWINDFREAK]

TOO BAD PEEP DON'T REMEMBER THE REAL MEANIN OF CHRISTMAS-SURE AIN'T BOUT GETTIN PISSED

[whatalulu1]

I listened to this song when I was fifteen years old, I am fifty-four now and still tell folks the Christmas spirit is not what you drink. Ian is a mastermind, a poet, a great composer and one of the most talented musicians to ever lend his hand to rock music, thanks Ian you will forever be my FAVORITE artist.

[BLUESMANRONCHICAGO]

@whatalulu1 well said!!!!!!! I'm 58 and still listen to Ian and Tull just about every day!!!!

[afroxilanui]

@BLUESMANRONCHICAGO so do i

[3riveratz]

@BLUESMANRONCHICAGO me tooooooo!

[fypong]

@BLUESMANRONCHICAGO

Snap.  another old timer here. I often listen to their music. 60's and 70's were two great decades for music.

[LadybirdGryphon]

Yes, Dickens would love Tull!

[goonsquid]

Spend Christmas Shagging

[mediawatcher13]

Great old Christmas classic,

Give 'er a listen, willya?

Peace and Love to all,

Terry McNally

[kiljoy67]

thanx santa for that tasty bottle of 12 yr. old Jamesons...CHEERS!!! and Happy Holidays

[acerb45666555]

he sing truth!

[anastassia67]

I love loud music :)

[neohip]

My favoute Christmas song of the Rock era.

Written by a 23 year old kid, on one leg!.

[joeygsmom]

@neohip you wont believe this, I have several Jethro tull X mas songs on a cd!(not this one though).

[neohip]

@joeygsmom

You will find this on the "Living in the Past" double album,a very early and successful attempt at gathering stray songs,singles and ""the ones that got a way", which is better than most artists intended albums.

Then and now.

I have worn out three copies,which is a record for me!.

[mojoworknn]

Ian's sly cynicism is right on the mark. How true, how true.

[mojoworknn]

Ian's sly cynicism sums up what Xmas has become for alot of ppl.

[lindagreen0616]

One of my favorites...

[skipcycle]

This version rocks! Love it. The Christmas spirit is ... NOT what you drink.

[mudkatz48]

This version of the song is on "Living In The Past". There is a newer version on Tull's Christmas CD that was released a couple of years or so ago.

[naditales]

Hey papa noel pasame esa botella!!! je jejejeje

[dragonflymak]

Does anyone know which Jethro Tull CD this is from?

[54taqiyya]

@dragonflymak look at the pic



[deshahubbell]

excellent message :)

[sillybear969]

Thank you for posting, and the picture of Santa is great!

[abito54]

True Christmas Spirit, ...Remember, If You Wish, This Is Just September Month!

[xiz22]

one of my top 5 favourite jethro tull songs. truly great

[GUIDOBRAT]

Been a Tull fan since the beginning..I bought Aqualung back in '71 when it first came out--Ian wrote one of the greatest social commentaries in rock history w/ this album...centering on the plight of the British underclass & the hypocritical aspects of some organized religions.

[neohip]

@GUIDOBRAT I agree with you, except they were far more popular in America!.

I'm neither British or American,but today know many people aged between 20 and 60 who think that Aqualung is far better than what is on offer today.Real quality.

Lady Ga Ga?,U2?,jay-Z?.

I prefer to use my own ears,and like to listen to Ian Anderson,then and now,rather than what a record company exec thinks we might like in 2010.

I will choose a hairy one legged fautist over Justin Bieber every time!..

[GUIDOBRAT]

@neohip couldnt agree MORE, neo---NOTHING TODAY even approximates the likes of The Beatles, Stones, Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin...............OR Tull.

[sfaka58]

Anderson is realist. He saw how crap the world was 20 years ago and wrote songs about it. Now his words are coming true, maybe he was a prophite either way he made some really good music!

[spilopbob]

Can't be done better, it's such a beautyful song. Thanks and have A Happy New Year..

[Suuperman5461]

wonder if Aqualung wipes boogers on his Santa Suit too. or picks dog ends?

[acca2esse]

The Christmas spirit is NOT what you drink...

[seeker6797]

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Have a beautiful time with the people that mean the most to you. From Arthur in San Diego, California

[montibass]

Have to disagree with you ash1955. Many talented people never become successful (at least not in the way you seem to imply) these days talent is a detriment, not an asset in the industry

[Ash1955]

I'm talking about Ian not anyone else. Ian is the type of guy who would be successful in any walk of life. Anyway I'm talking "success" not "famous"..

[Serai3]

Best Christmas song ever. Cool that it's written by a dyed-in-the-wool pagan. I guess irony can be pretty ironic, eh?

[Ash1955]

Are you calling Ian Anderson a pagan? Or Cecil Frances Alexander who wrote the Hymn and was not a pagan. And Ian does believe in God !

[5mil]

Ian Anderson is not a pagan.. From an interview:

Anderson: "Ive never been anti-Christian. I wouldnt call myself a Christian because Im not an active, practicing one, but I believe in most of the tenets of Christianity."

[whiskypapa]

Tull is all right. I like his voice. One of those bands that would never make it if they came out now. Does he still have his smoked salmon business?

[MisterEvasion]

I have to grudgingly agree that Jethro Tull has remained steady while the mainstream drifted away from them. But I don't really care if the times have passed them anyway, I wouldn't like it if they changed styles radically to suit each generation. There was a time when their albums were a common sight in the top ten of the billboard charts.

[seeker6797]

Well put

[Ash1955]

Farm sold in 1994. I would say Tull would make it today but they would most probably be a different band than they are today. Where's there is talent there is success. But having said that there are some very untalented people who make it as well LOL

[antimatterXXXIII]

great graphic! The song is at least partially modal, which gives it that old sound, but one that never gets old.

[mikal9000]

My favorite Christmas song by a rock band. Maybe it's the sparse arrangement and Anderson's voice, but when this song plays I always envision an Elizabethan country vicar sermonizing his rowdy parishioners about the true meaning of the holiday.

[paulfbest]

this is the only song I like to hear during traditional Christmas season....maybe Noel as well. Yes I love The 1st Noel.

The words to this song get more poignant / pregnant with meaning every yr that goes by.

Read The Book Of Revelation..

[jenzeppelin]

This is my favourite Christmas piece by any band or artist - such a beautifully haunting song with the most amazing lyrics... I play this every year throughout the holidays, the entire album...classic.

[wolfman383]

One of the most wonderfully TRUE Christmas songs ever written/ performed.

[tokaicarl]

@wolfman383 this and greg lake i believe in father xmas



[mojoworknn]

@tokaicarl  FOR REAL!!

[myasmate]

@wolfman383There can be only one Tull.

[kirstenthegoth]

Bishop Usher really got to you!

[paulfbest]

Did not know who bishop uSSher was,,googled,,I see he also predicted 4000 BC,but he gave it a specific day and year exact!! whata KOOK,and thats what I am talking about the catholic priests/bishops are all lunatics...

I made the guess 4000BC based on Josephus writings from Moses

My point is, mankind has no future,

[kirstenthegoth]

Usher was actually the Anglican Bishop of Armagh. I believe he calculated that the World began at 6pm, which was good as we would all have been in time for dinner.

[patmike12]

learn where to post your realist views on mankind...here is not the place...

[GregERobertson]

" . . .you'd do well to remember the things he later said . . "

[PaulHartXYZ]

Once in Royal David City, stood a lonely cattle shed.

Where a mother held her baby.

You'd do well to remember the things he later said.

[brisbane44]

Yes, thanks for putting this on youtube. It is such a beautiful, meaningful song. Ian Anderson is fabulous. So is the band.

[oldskooler1]

a pure jewel larger than a diamond this guy was and still is a legend

[DiAnno13]

If Charles Dickens were alive today, he would listen to Jethro Tull.

[Stumblestrum]

@DiAnno13 He would probably be in the band!!!

[leondenis00]

@DiAnno13 I was wondering if Anderson is Charles Dickens.

[AwaTu]

@DiAnno13 How right you are!...

[neohip]

@DiAnno13

Believe me, If Charles Dickens was still alive today,he would be held by the United Stated goverrnent in a secret bunker and be subjected to endless torture and humiliation,

A 198 year old man!.

He would have eventually have been privately executed as is their wont,as being too dangerouse to the American way of life.

You think i'm kidding?

Read about what he achieved in his own lifetime,and ponder why he is still concidered to still be great.

[lancethrustworthy]

@DiAnno13 No, he wouldn't. Dickens was way too full of himself to give anybody else credit for anything. Yes, he was gifted, but he was also an obsessed narcissist.

[DrMarianus]

@DiAnno13

I guess Screwge would have too eventually and especially this song.

[sgtpeppres]

of all of the rock writers ian anderson is one of the best and this song proves it its a masterpeice, short and sweet iv been listin to this for thirty five years and i love thank you ian and yes merry christmas god bless jlr.

[melaniesafka]

Fab Christmas song...

[jellybeanadams]

So beautiful! I love this song and listen to it every Christmas.

[musicfreak1967]

Grandios!!!!! Jethro Tull vom absolut Allerfeinsten!!!! 5 Stars for you and all the very best from germany!!!

[ccUright]

yes so right ... thanks for letting us all recall the original version of this song ... dunno ...seems so much more true-in-spirit than the ChristmasAlbum version .... Thanks, - i did miss it ... 'nd then pass us that bottle, - si :)

[TorzJohnson]

I remember this as the flip side to the 45 of "Living In The Past". I played that record a thousand times on both sides as a kid. I thought he said "Hey censor - pass us that bottle, will ya?"

[BroachBros]

awesome! thanks for posting this man, I think your the first one to post the original version of this song on youtube. Bravo!

[scousebandit]

Always an absolute gem.