Jessye Norman Christmastide TV special (1988)

[TwoSidestoaCoin1776]

If you have studied text and context or marketing; then this video has a totally different meaning. First, watch the angles of the camera and all of the colors that are highlighted. Second, you must watch Jessye's hands. Finally, the lyrics are dynomite - double entandre at it's best. Example: #1 "This Christmastide" = "Bitch kiss my ass, tide". #2 "From a simple ox's stall" = "Fucking simple ox it's all". In summation, this is the fireball of all Christmas Carols. Thanks Miss. Norman!

[bgroovy2]

What A beautiful Christmas song. I had never heard this till I saw the american boy choir a couple of years ago. Truly a standad!

[MrCharlyjunin]

Sencillamente apabullante, hay momentos que parece un tenor. Increible registro

[AdolphoLe]

sempre fui apaixonado pela voz de Jessye Norman; estaé uma verdadeira canção de ninar para meus ouvidos

[orvtimlaw]

Such warmth and beauty in this performance. Miss Norman has always been one of my favorite singers.

[PhiaMinistry]

the american boychoir...doing it all once again...i love my old choir

[saywhat157]

I listen to this when ever I just need to sit and be still. It is a reflective peice, Ms. Norman's voice is so soothing and the music is pure.

[jstats13]

I guess you know that you have "made it" as a singer when peope start writing Christmas carols for your voice. Who needs to die and go to heaven to hear an angel sing? We have Jessye Norman right here on earth!

[schafernewman14]

is this the american boychoir?

[wilifordmj]

@schafernewman14

yes, the American Boychoir is on this video (in the blue cassocks). The Ely Cathedral choirboys were contractually required to appear due to the building rental (and wore their "home" red cassocks, so we wore blue to distinguish, and Jessye placed the American Boychoir immediately behind her in the camera frame!

[bigsarslondon]

i was jessye, driver for this show we spent a few days in cambridge in a hotel just outside ely where this is filmed....she was a lovley lady and i will never forget her..thanks to tim walford for letting me drive her..mike

[mark200457]

Nice comment Mike. I'm an American passing through UK soon - will try to get to Ely. Looks so beautful! Love Jessye too--what a voice and spirit!

[twhditto]

How beautiful! Why can there not be more like her and these sorts of songs?

[PedluvnKy]

Absolutely the most beautiful new Christmas song. It truly IS Jessye's Carol!

[misspaddylee]

Lovely.

[nickling1]

well done, i love this song

[1soprano71]

i love you Jessye Norman! You are my inspiration..

[byzantiney]

It is the middle of summer here in Chicago. I have just met Jessye Norman backstage at Ravinia where she performed a Lincoln Tribute with our Chicago Symphony.

I came off the stage during rehearsal break and she was sitting alone on a bench looking serene and beautiful. We spoke for a few minutes. What a gracious person - an inspiration to us all.

[uncmed493]

Thanks! I wish I had met her. I wish I was there to keep her company...hate to think of her seating alone. Hope she's happy!!! Love you Jessye...cant wait to listen to this song everyday in december lol..

[byzantiney]

As a singer, I can assure you there are times when it is preferable to sit alone and meditate on the music. Trust me - She was VERY happy and I was careful not to intrude on her for too long. She did not need company but was kind when I appeared.

Her Christmastide song is a year-round song because of the way she brings her soul into it. It is MORE than Christmas. Thanks Jesse, for ALL your inspiration!

[ninnashark09]

kl song. btw my grandma wrote the lyrics. lol. honestly.

[cyk6636]

I wish I knew this special collection earlier. So touching.

[1pcollins]

I weep every time I hear this. Every Christmas our Choir sings this, I remember my mother. It just brings tears to my eyes. So beautiful.

[skypurple15]

this was so beautiful!

[talisaaa]

we sing that in our choir, but this is unreachable..amazing..

[devoncarl]

I cry every time I hear this. Thank you so much for posting this moving piece sung by "La Norman".

[Timmerjax]

Thank you for posting. This takes me back..I was struggling to finish my final semester in college, plagued by stress. This special came on TV and really saved me.

[kenmina08]

Her rendition of Strauss' Last Four Songs are amazing, too!

[dare57]

Her Interpretation.. Not Rendition.. is the Best

[kenmina08]

Rendition mean a performance or an interpretation....

[JWEST456]

I've got goosebumps listening to this. Definitely one of my favorite carols sang by one of my favorite singers!!!!!!!!

[SleepyBubface]

hey dudes,

Donald Fraser is my God Father

Go Me =]

x

[Rafed1221]

Jessye is one of the finest singers in the world,and listening to her sing, is like watching God create the Heavens, and the Earth. Her voice is simple the sound of Glory!!

[Inga913]

Christmastide is my favorite Christmas CD but I play it year round as well. I like "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "The Holly and the Ivy" on that same CD...heck I love all the music on it!

[PennTrafford]

Exquisite... This carol is also popularly known as "Jessye's Carol", composed as a tribute to her by Donald Fraser.

[16dutch]

This is probably what the angels sound like. A humble, God-given voice, and this diva knows it. I love her.

[mili53]

yes.....just achingly beautiful.....can anybody upload Jessye Norman's o Holy Night

[mylittlepony34]

she makes me believe it's christmas even if it's not today.

[musiclverinnashville]

Man, its tough to listen to Jessye Norman at times. The woman sings so beautifully it just breaks your heart. My GOD!!!! what a moving and beautiful performance. I consider myself a rather macho, unemotional dude, but I am welling up with tears as I write this.

Is there ANYTHING that this Goddess does NOT sing well? I could listen to Jessye Norman FOREVER!!!!

[MzShugr]

Preach it...LOL...I totally agree

[prlady]

I listen to this song year round too. It has to be the best Christmas song. Ever. Thank you for posting it.

[reivilo]

blasted beautifully... new favorite xmas song this one!

[BraunBoy]

Celestial...

[irishmom58]

So lovely.....tears well up....thank you

[eddiecat]

Between this and Ms.Norman's version of

O Holy Night,talk about heavenly!

[nowstuart]

Bravo, what more can be said, thank you

[itchycoopark2]

I have been looking for this for years ... Bless your heart for posting it ..so beautiful ..

[ieguy3]

I first heard this while I was visiting Denmark some years ago at Xmas. It was stunning then and even more so now that i've been able to find it again.

[TwisterNLR]

Talk about goosebumps... holy Christmastide! Miss Norman - you are my angel. Thank you for the most beautiful Christmas song ever. OK, where's the Kleenex???

[hairycatdaddy]

After all these years, I still think this is the most beautiful thing EVER!

[Vocalist4ever]

ahhh every year when I was in the boychoir we sang this song..... I'm going to miss it so much...I love the american boychoir! Greatest experience I could've had!

[CavRus]

IN the midst of summer I hear this...simply stunning...thanx Miss Norman...

//Blessings

[royalbattle]

Instantly one of my new favourite Christmas songs.....for that matter, one of my new favourite songs ever....GLORIOUS SINGING

[tonyjay]

Yeah, this is my absolute favorite Christmas song too. Although, I listen to it all year long.

[guetary]

A heart-stoppingly beautiful performance. Quite wonderful.

[royalbattle]

This is absolutely beautiful. Reaffirms the power of music.

[cashmerequeen]

Ahh, she is so beautiful.