She is GENIUS. The best rendition ever. Pagan and Christian Ms Lennox and the band pulls the iron of my blood as a magnet to the music and my soul cannot resist.
This video is like stepping inside an old Victorian Christmas card. I just love the drumbeat, the riff that flows through the melody. It even sounds like something from another century. And then of course there's the glorious voice of Annie Lennox. I just love this!
This is an old Irish tradition when mummers would dress in disguise and visit their neighbors during the 12 days of Christmas.……it is very beautifully done!
It's most likely the gospel (which means good news) and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was sacrificed for the remission of our sins, and all we have to do is accept his gift of salvation, and acknowledge Him as your lord and savior.
I will not argue with either Les’ or Paul’s account of why you might be moved to tears ( whether Hindu or otherwise). I think there is something to be said for both of their explanations. I think your emotion has something to do with patriotism, something to do with affection for these Islands we live in , something of a feeling for the people in these Islands and the long history thereof. I think you can feel that if you are a citizen here OR if you are a visitor who means us well. Here’s another example, not a digression at a tangent, I promise. President Bush the 2nd made a remark, years ago, about how he felt good about liberating Iraq from Saddam Hussein. As a Hindu, you might relate to this when you think about India’s liberation of Bangladesh. Bush witnessed the resumption of Shia pilgrimage to the holy city of Najaf. Bush said he was very glad that Iraqis were doing that again. Iraqis being Iraqis, being in touch with their culture, their history, their ancestors is a GOOD thing. In the same way, I like that Hindus in 2020, with mobile phones and internet and Starbucks still ( some of them ) stand in The Ganges. I like that British people ( some of them) in 2020 still recognise songs sung by their ancestors. The fact that these songs in 2020 feature MTV ( Bollywood) production videos, and cross faders and big pop stars makes it even better. God rest ye Merry sirrah.
All over the world and in any religion, we feel that we toil to keep evil and ruin at bay, but our efforts are never enough. Often we despair and think that our strength will not be enough. At that point, a message from the divinity promising that we will not fail indeed brings comfort and joy. Not that all religions are the same (I'm atheist btw), but the human condition is the same.
Just found it last night on Xmas eve. Was looking for the version of the song by the Philadelphia Orchestra with Temple U, which is a masterpiece. Then found Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull’s wonderful version, then I lucked into this stunner. It will now be a tradition. Only regret that I was 10 years late to the show.
I still play her Christmas 🎄 CD 💿…no one can replace her singing 🎶 for me. My oldest was borne right after her “SWEET DREAMS” song known then as the EURYTHMICS. She’s LEGENDARY for me. 🙆🏻♀️❤️🔥🕊️
I never tire of listening to this brilliant interpretation of this fantastic carol. And the video is like a Victorian Christmas card come to life. Annie Lennox created a masterpiece with her album, A Christmas Cornucopia. Most musicians take about two weeks to record a Christmas album, but Annie took nearly a year - and it shows. Brilliant arrangements.
Interesting fact: There are no "Merry Gentlemen" in this song. In those days, a common salutation was "God rest ye merry" There should be a comma after the "Merry" God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
The world was very much pagan in the beginning. Especially in England, Wales, Scotland and the Netherlands. I don’t see a pagan twist…..I see a Celebration of the old and the new….past and present.
Well here we are again, another year gone and I've picked this as my favourite Christmas song, yes I've started a bit early, lets have a really long Christmas, I wish you all a healthy and happy Christmas
This us about how centuries ago, newly-arrived Christianity made old mid-winter celebrations even sweeter. Celebrating the birth of the Sun of Righteousness along with the physical returning of daylight after the longest night just made the party better and better. Merry Christmas, all!
Best version of this I've ever heard. Not much of an Xmas music person but this is pure gold!!!! Annie you're the best and only get better with time. Impeccable in your craft.
So marvelous! When she's singing 'as herself' she says, "comfort an' joy", but as the angel she very distinctly sings "comfort anD joy", which is a nice effect.
The look of a 1900s movie combined with the pagan-esque imagery along with an excellent rendition of a traditional song make for something truly quite beautiful. One of the very few Christmas songs I actually like.
@@prydain4131 try looking at the imagery and it's full of it,the Holly and the ivy,the green Man the oak and Holly kingthe fact they are dressed as mummers,it's all there,these are true pagan imagery and not Hollywood shite
Andruid 50 Just because something has “folk” vibes doesn’t mean it’s pagan, European folk tradition still exists in Christian settings since Christianity isn’t an ethno-religion. It just strikes me as neo-pagans trying to desperately claim something as theirs so they can have some semblance of cultural relevance.
@@prydain4131 but it is Pagan imagery,and as a Briton it is my cultural relevance,some of this imagery has been found to date back to before Christianity came to these shores,maybe some we wish were pagan,but when it comes to claiming others things as theres,other religions are guilty as well
Annie Lennox is genius artist, and I've followed her for three decades. This Christmas song is odd, to say the least. However, it is intriguing. I suspect this was a big compromise between what she really believed and popular notions of Christmas; without sacrificing who is Annie Lennox. She is a spectacular artist, and I look forward to when I can see her new album.
It’s Christmas 2021 and lots of things going on but listening to this song give us comfort and joy, especially hearing Miss Lenox voice again. Happy Holiday, All!!!
Annie Lennox has such a beautiful powerful voice. She glows when she sings, and her music and video here give us a sense of the pagan origins of Christmas. Phony "Christians" despise those origins, but the baby Jesus would have giggled with delight from his manger if He had heard this.
This is exactly why this is my all-time favorite Christmas video! Annie leading her company fearlessly through the countryside, joyously proclaiming the Good News of Christ's birth, the coming of Light into the world, timed by early Christians to coincide with the Pagan celebration of Solstice (the return of the Light) and Yule, dancing with abandon with the fire and the Green Man/Santa! And those smiles hint of something a little wylde hidden just beneath the surface! Thank you, Annie!! ♥️🎄♥️
Love how she blends the Christian and pagan history of Christmas perfectly into this video... usually people are arguing about that, but here Annie is celebrating the cultural history. Awesome.
+Logan Carlton It seems Henry VIII's idol-smashers (or vendors, a lot of stuff was shipped to Europe to be sold) spared the Green Men in the churches on the logic that no one would worship them.
+Raine Parker While the celebration of 'Christmas' was (and is for the most part today) a Christian celebration and holy day (it originated in the 4th century as a liturgical celebration commemorating the Nativity of Christ;, around the winter solstice, but with the emphasis on the incarnation of Christ, as "God in the Flesh" ('Emmanuel' in Hebrew means "God is with us"), in order to make it culturally relevant to the non-Christian 'pagans' (Roman term meaning "country folk", they needed to make it resonate with symbolism and beliefs that already existed which the local people understood as being already considered 'sacred' such as the solstice being the shortest day of the year and the day afterwards the days lengthen (which is where the observance of 'Lent' came from, with the word from the old Anglo-Saxon term meaning 'lencthene' meaning 'Spring' as the days get longer), without having to explain the meaning in specifically Jewish or Hebrew concepts and ideas foreign to Europeans unfamiliar at the time to Christianity and Judaism.... My long-winded point is, people (fundamentalist Christians mainly) can be offended til they are blue in the face and the proverbial cows come home but the reality is, religion must be inculturated in order for it to take root in a culture and become a part of society and individual lives as well.... This is what happened to Europe, that with a heavy dose of imperialism and feudalism of course which meant that you didn't really have much choice but to accept it as the status quo..... BUT, we have today's wonderfully complex and fascinating symbols, mythology, rituals and beliefs regarding the celebration of Christmas... It is essentially syncretism at its best, but that is part of being human and virtually all human cultures today have syncretized some foreign belief system on their own and made that once foreign belief or celebration their own.... Christmas in Britain (or anywhere else in the world) is no different......The Green Man or "Old Man Winter" gets incorporated with the Christ Child and angels mix with elves, etc... It's beautiful in my book and one of the hallmarks of human culture.
Wow how have I never heard this song before?? I was listening to Christmas songs on Alexa while baking banana bread last night and this came on. My mom, young daughter and I all looked at each other in surprise because they hadn't heard it either! And we all generally like this kind of neo-folksy, celtic-like music. Amazing song and incredible video! Like stepping back in time. I keep listening to this song over and over again. Well done Annie Lennox! 🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄
What a wonderful, somewhat primal merging of Christianity and European paganism, this rendition is! The lyrics acclaim that Christ is King while the instruments and images exalt our European pagan ancestry. This is as it should be! Merry Christmas, and Yuletide blessings to my brothers and sisters, pagan and Christian alike!
@@Mycroft93 Friend, you touched my heart. Our God - and God's - are watching over us, yes. Blessings, always, to you and your family, our season is at hand!
I never knew of this, and what a wonderful remembrance of the history of Christmas. I really did cry hearing this... so glad i found it. Its never heard on radio. too reactionary for public audience??
The best part is when Annie is kneeling and the angel tells everyone "This day is born a savior to save us all from satan's pow'r and might" so we can take comfort in Him and have joy in the message. It's all about the message. Merry Christmas Mr. Hitchcock. 🌲
I really love this song, is so scotishhh!!!! When I listening it, I really feel the christmas spirit, as a mix, between Christian and the celtic traditions!!!!
This is so fabulous, I can't even express everything it means to me. I do love the combination of Christianity and Paganism. Merry Christmas and Happy Yule to everyone!!
Fantastic rendition of this carol. Annie must have one of the greatest voices of any living female singer, and the depiction of a Victorian Mummers' procession is beautifully done. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Annie could sing a cookbook and it would be a hit. She makes a great angel too.
Best reply to this song I have ever seen.
Might not be a hit but it would certainly deserve to be.
everything is said, you're right ahahah
@@Joakim4803 totally huh lol
It's kind of weird to see a comment that was made when I was in elementary school lmao (I'm in high school now) But you right you right
I have to listen to this afresh every year. A brilliant and thought-provoking performance.
Me also!
She is GENIUS. The best rendition ever. Pagan and Christian Ms Lennox and the band pulls the iron of my blood as a magnet to the music and my soul cannot resist.
Tidings of comfort and joy - Christ is a SAVIOUR
This video is like stepping inside an old Victorian Christmas card. I just love the drumbeat, the riff that flows through the melody. It even sounds like something from another century. And then of course there's the glorious voice of Annie Lennox. I just love this!
My thoughts exactly. Like a living Christmas card! Loved it!
It is indeed from another century. Or rather, 5 centuries.
I love the scenes of Victorian Christmases. And this song sums it up beautifully. ❤❤❤.
Voice simply GORGEOUS even talking that's also Power and no engineering required for Annie Lennox.
💕🎄❄️⛄.
Happy Birthday Annie Lennox! ♥
Ann Lennox (born 25 December 1954) ♥
This is an old Irish tradition when mummers would dress in disguise and visit their neighbors during the 12 days of Christmas.……it is very beautifully done!
It's an old English tradition as well. Which is why it's being used as accompanying imagery to an English carol.
Dude theres just something so beautiful about Annie's voice
agree
Do tell!
auto-tune quizás?
It's ridiculously auto-tuned, in this case.
@@Lucasgrijanderrr I think that this is no Autotuner. It is more like an (or multiple) Octaver to let Annie be her own Choir.
As a Pagan myself it's really amazing to see so many references in this video! Especially The Green Man at the end! I love it!
This version gives me the chills every single time. It is like an instant time travel. Thank ou, Annie 🫂❣✌☮
I cannot listen to this rendition of the old Christmas song without tears coming to my eyes.
@@maxkronader5225 yes, I try to sing along and my voice gets the wobbles! 😥
how come have I discovered this gem only now?!? masterpiece ...
Ai, Nat!! Shiver's me timbers z'well..
My baby niece and nephew introduced me to this, and it's thrilled me ever since. FYI, I'm an atheist.
I have no idea why this is so addictive to watch.. haunting and so encapsulating to watch.. I can't explain it.. brilliant piece of art..
I just discovered it a couple of months ago and I bet I've watched it just about every day. ❤
Who else listening to this medieval and haunting song? Merry Christmas 2019 🌟 🎄
my 1st time hearing and frign love it!! only actual Christmas song I like!!! Merry Christmas!!
..and to you & those dear to you, the same 🙏
Me
I do, everything year, and always. She is great!!! I love her..
i listen to this track every christmas cant get enough of it , merry christmas mr
Im a Hindu. But after hearing this song I can’t express and I’m left with tears of no reason.
It's most likely the gospel (which means good news) and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was sacrificed for the remission of our sins, and all we have to do is accept his gift of salvation, and acknowledge Him as your lord and savior.
I will not argue with either Les’ or Paul’s account of why you might be moved to tears ( whether Hindu or otherwise). I think there is something to be said for both of their explanations. I think your emotion has something to do with patriotism, something to do with affection for these Islands we live in , something of a feeling for the people in these Islands and the long history thereof. I think you can feel that if you are a citizen here OR if you are a visitor who means us well. Here’s another example, not a digression at a tangent, I promise. President Bush the 2nd made a remark, years ago, about how he felt good about liberating Iraq from Saddam Hussein. As a Hindu, you might relate to this when you think about India’s liberation of Bangladesh. Bush witnessed the resumption of Shia pilgrimage to the holy city of Najaf. Bush said he was very glad that Iraqis were doing that again. Iraqis being Iraqis, being in touch with their culture, their history, their ancestors is a GOOD thing. In the same way, I like that Hindus in 2020, with mobile phones and internet and Starbucks still ( some of them ) stand in The Ganges. I like that British people ( some of them) in 2020 still recognise songs sung by their ancestors. The fact that these songs in 2020 feature MTV ( Bollywood) production videos, and cross faders and big pop stars makes it even better. God rest ye Merry sirrah.
🤗🤗🤗🙏
The Lord Jesus loves you :)
All over the world and in any religion, we feel that we toil to keep evil and ruin at bay, but our efforts are never enough. Often we despair and think that our strength will not be enough. At that point, a message from the divinity promising that we will not fail indeed brings comfort and joy. Not that all religions are the same (I'm atheist btw), but the human condition is the same.
A very powerful and visceral rendering of a mighty Carol . The video conjured up an old England that runs in the blood
It doesn't need to be xmas to enjoy this Masterpiece
Great Annie Lenox❤
Lennox
It's that time of year again. Who is listening in Dec. 2020? Merry Christmas all.
Happy 2021 !!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Just found it last night on Xmas eve. Was looking for the version of the song by the Philadelphia Orchestra with Temple U, which is a masterpiece. Then found Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull’s wonderful version, then I lucked into this stunner. It will now be a tradition. Only regret that I was 10 years late to the show.
I
I need to sing this in school assembly 😢wish me luck
Peace and love around the world merry Christmas everyone and 2025 brings us this
The first lady of British/Scottish music now. Bloody Marvellous.
The most extraordinary version of this song ever recorded. It haunts.
This is a wonderful version and of one of my favourite carols.❤
I don't remember seeing this video - it is so artistic, religious, and cool all at the same time!
Every year I love this more. Medieval, pagan, and Victorian imagery that somehow blends beautifully.
Yes, it packs a lot into it, doesn't it? Wonderfully done
You said it!
this song brings me comfort and joy.
agreed
@@housydoing Love this version
This is the only version of this song that I truly love! Annie Lennox forever!
This is still my favorite Christmas album. I've been a fan of Annie's since the 80's and I believe this is the best work she's ever done.
Agreed!
I still play her Christmas 🎄 CD 💿…no one can replace her singing 🎶 for me. My oldest was borne right after her “SWEET DREAMS” song known then as the EURYTHMICS. She’s LEGENDARY for me. 🙆🏻♀️❤️🔥🕊️
Absolutely agree! Just adore this album
I never tire of listening to this brilliant interpretation of this fantastic carol. And the video is like a Victorian Christmas card come to life. Annie Lennox created a masterpiece with her album, A Christmas Cornucopia. Most musicians take about two weeks to record a Christmas album, but Annie took nearly a year - and it shows. Brilliant arrangements.
The medieval instruments are fantastic - what an arrangement - fantastic
We are rapidly approaching Christmas 2022 it is time to watch this frequently.
It's so earthy, tribal and simply beautiful. It stays with you long after the song finished.
4 Years Ago
I stumbled across this beautiful version of the hymn. Love the video.
Interesting fact: There are no "Merry Gentlemen" in this song. In those days, a common salutation was "God rest ye merry"
There should be a comma after the "Merry"
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
A Christian Christmas carol with a Pagan twist, who'd have thought it could be so good!
The world was very much pagan in the beginning. Especially in England, Wales, Scotland and the Netherlands. I don’t see a pagan twist…..I see a Celebration of the old and the new….past and present.
Back again, as this always brings joy this time of year.
Happy 2023 everyone.
Well here we are again, another year gone and I've picked this as my favourite Christmas song, yes I've started a bit early, lets have a really long Christmas, I wish you all a healthy and happy Christmas
I do Not think There Exists a More Beautiful synthesis of Quasi-christian and Pagan Imagery. Bless Thee Lady
This us about how centuries ago, newly-arrived Christianity made old mid-winter celebrations even sweeter. Celebrating the birth of the Sun of Righteousness along with the physical returning of daylight after the longest night just made the party better and better. Merry Christmas, all!
Merry Christmas from 2020 ✌
anyone else notice this wasn't played in the UK music channels at all last christmas 😢hopefully it will this year
Happy birthday Ms Lennox.🎂 Without you, this world would be unbareable. Thank You
2024 Anyone??
Eu jkkk
Yeah, and not Xmastime by a long shot...the end of May '24. 😂 I'm here for my "Annie harmonizing with herself" fix.
Aaaaahhhhh, that's the good stuff.
May 25th here… I always seem to get songs stuck in my head at the most unusual of times.
This person here 🎉
End of July here, way away from Christmas!
gotta love the hurdy gurdy
One of the best versions I've heard, she is not afraid to say Jesus.
That's literally just the lyrics of the song like wdym
Thumbs up and Merry Christmas if you are here in 2021. Have a safe, happy and prosperous new year.
I'm not a Christian and will never be one, but.. Holy sweet baby Jesus! What have I just listened to?!
Cool song.
@@ibosquez5238 yes, it is AMAZING!
@J there is no God, he told us that the last time he spoke to G.W. Bush.
@@Buddy-po4hv
Oh Buddy, there is no God until the day you see Him, then what?
@@ibosquez5238 the day I see him I will tell him I thank him for giving young children cancer, and for creating stupid people.
Had to look at this again.
Wish she had released videos with the rest of the songs.
Best version of this I've ever heard. Not much of an Xmas music person but this is pure gold!!!! Annie you're the best and only get better with time. Impeccable in your craft.
So marvelous! When she's singing 'as herself' she says, "comfort an' joy", but as the angel she very distinctly sings "comfort anD joy", which is a nice effect.
Still my Christmas song ,Annie has the presence and voice ,Thank you .
The look of a 1900s movie combined with the pagan-esque imagery along with an excellent rendition of a traditional song make for something truly quite beautiful. One of the very few Christmas songs I actually like.
Very well described.
I don't understand understand where people are getting "pagan" from. There is nothing in this song that strikes as pagan.
@@prydain4131 try looking at the imagery and it's full of it,the Holly and the ivy,the green Man the oak and Holly kingthe fact they are dressed as mummers,it's all there,these are true pagan imagery and not Hollywood shite
Andruid 50 Just because something has “folk” vibes doesn’t mean it’s pagan, European folk tradition still exists in Christian settings since Christianity isn’t an ethno-religion.
It just strikes me as neo-pagans trying to desperately claim something as theirs so they can have some semblance of cultural relevance.
@@prydain4131 but it is Pagan imagery,and as a Briton it is my cultural relevance,some of this imagery has been found to date back to before Christianity came to these shores,maybe some we wish were pagan,but when it comes to claiming others things as theres,other religions are guilty as well
I am listening this Winter Solstice Season 2021...Merry Christmas and God bless us, everyone!
Whoa! Thank you YT for helping me unearth more Christmas gems like this one when all the regular stuff gets PPPLLLLAAAAYYYEEEEDDD OOOOUUUUTTTT?!!! 🔥🔥🔥
A lovely rendition of this carol evoking medieval elements with a sort of steampunk imagery... And her voice...angelic.
Can we all just agree that Annie's vocals are so powerful and strong it's unbelievable.
Oh yes! I was saying that to my son when I saw your comment. Amazing!
It’s Her faith in Jesus Christ that turns this into a quasi-battle cry.
@@RGNay999 It is. No doubt about that.
@@RGNay999вот так нужно проповедовать Евангелие, исповедовать свою веру и радоваться что ты христианин
Yes, Annie is one of God’s most delightful creations.
Brilliant... Im just now seeing this. AMAZING!
How in the World have I missed this and for so long. Now I am ready for Christmas 2023.
A people living in darkness have seen a great light
I love the early cinema styling (early silent era) of this video.
It will be my tradition to come to this video every year 🔥
Annie Lennox is genius artist, and I've followed her for three decades. This Christmas song is odd, to say the least. However, it is intriguing. I suspect this was a big compromise between what she really believed and popular notions of Christmas; without sacrificing who is Annie Lennox. She is a spectacular artist, and I look forward to when I can see her new album.
Perhaps the most artistic video ever made.
It’s Christmas 2021 and lots of things going on but listening to this song give us comfort and joy, especially hearing Miss Lenox voice again. Happy Holiday, All!!!
Annie Lennox has such a beautiful powerful voice. She glows when she sings, and her music and video here give us a sense of the pagan origins of Christmas. Phony "Christians" despise those origins, but the baby Jesus would have giggled with delight from his manger if He had heard this.
???
This is exactly why this is my all-time favorite Christmas video! Annie leading her company fearlessly through the countryside, joyously proclaiming the Good News of Christ's birth, the coming of Light into the world, timed by early Christians to coincide with the Pagan celebration of Solstice (the return of the Light) and Yule, dancing with abandon with the fire and the Green Man/Santa! And those smiles hint of something a little wylde hidden just beneath the surface! Thank you, Annie!!
♥️🎄♥️
@@georgekomath8978 Read what moon babies says below (or above) ...
@@moonbabies9253 Exactly. Many people don't understand.
I don't think so! Jesus would never stand with wicked pagans and Christmas has nothing to do with the Bible like these pagans try to make you believe.
Anyone listening to this in 2020 😆 Only just discovered this, always my favourite carol and what a great version.
I only discovered this yesterday on a Xmas re run of ToTP’s
@@davidwilson1779 Me too 👍
Yep, it's 2020 and I'm still listening to it.
Google random play of Christmas music brought this to me Dec 2020
Yes!
Wish I had heard this 9 years ago. Only found this in the run up to Christmas 2019. Like a festive sea shanty. Love it.
There's a whole album
Annie just defined yuletide with this master piece.....Because........
This song remains the best version even in 2021 December...still the best in 2023
Yes, just heard it this Christmas! ✌
Agree!
Amazing video! Love it.
Visually appealing
July 20 2022....... Alas its still summertime....
Love how she blends the Christian and pagan history of Christmas perfectly into this video... usually people are arguing about that, but here Annie is celebrating the cultural history. Awesome.
Do you mean the Green Man or Tom O' the Green? The Church appropriated him too and made him part of their festivals.
Didn't the Green Man become Father Christmas? And then Father Christmas merged with Santa Claus eventually
well, at one point, everyone was pagan.
+Logan Carlton It seems Henry VIII's idol-smashers (or vendors, a lot of stuff was shipped to Europe to be sold) spared the Green Men in the churches on the logic that no one would worship them.
+Raine Parker While the celebration of 'Christmas' was (and is for the most part today) a Christian celebration and holy day (it originated in the 4th century as a liturgical celebration commemorating the Nativity of Christ;, around the winter solstice, but with the emphasis on the incarnation of Christ, as "God in the Flesh" ('Emmanuel' in Hebrew means "God is with us"), in order to make it culturally relevant to the non-Christian 'pagans' (Roman term meaning "country folk", they needed to make it resonate with symbolism and beliefs that already existed which the local people understood as being already considered 'sacred' such as the solstice being the shortest day of the year and the day afterwards the days lengthen (which is where the observance of 'Lent' came from, with the word from the old Anglo-Saxon term meaning 'lencthene' meaning 'Spring' as the days get longer), without having to explain the meaning in specifically Jewish or Hebrew concepts and ideas foreign to Europeans unfamiliar at the time to Christianity and Judaism.... My long-winded point is, people (fundamentalist Christians mainly) can be offended til they are blue in the face and the proverbial cows come home but the reality is, religion must be inculturated in order for it to take root in a culture and become a part of society and individual lives as well.... This is what happened to Europe, that with a heavy dose of imperialism and feudalism of course which meant that you didn't really have much choice but to accept it as the status quo..... BUT, we have today's wonderfully complex and fascinating symbols, mythology, rituals and beliefs regarding the celebration of Christmas... It is essentially syncretism at its best, but that is part of being human and virtually all human cultures today have syncretized some foreign belief system on their own and made that once foreign belief or celebration their own.... Christmas in Britain (or anywhere else in the world) is no different......The Green Man or "Old Man Winter" gets incorporated with the Christ Child and angels mix with elves, etc... It's beautiful in my book and one of the hallmarks of human culture.
BEST VERSION! Beautiful video too. It speaks to my Christian-Pagan blend.
Oh that voice! I never get tired of hearing it. Her smile, her beauty, Annie is such a gift.
Annie is truly a rare gem.... This by far is my favorite version of this song.💜
God’s word is not silent on those who mix the Holy and the profane.
Annie Lennox makes everything new and refreshing- a cultural treasure, for everyone
I find this video both cosy and sinister at the same time. One of my all time favourite Xmas songs though.
Thank you for posting. Thank you Annie Lennox A voice that makes you want to listen.
Wow how have I never heard this song before?? I was listening to Christmas songs on Alexa while baking banana bread last night and this came on. My mom, young daughter and I all looked at each other in surprise because they hadn't heard it either! And we all generally like this kind of neo-folksy, celtic-like music.
Amazing song and incredible video! Like stepping back in time. I keep listening to this song over and over again. Well done Annie Lennox!
🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄
Have you three been living under a rock or what? 🤔🤔🤔
@@IrishGlobetrotter2023andbeyondSo you came here just to insult two women and a girl? So much for that vaunted Irish charm.
There's no outward reason for this song and video to be so dark and mysterious but it really is, my new favourite xmas song.
HYVÄÄ JOULUA from Finland!!!
The angel said "to free all those who trust in Him from satan's pow'r and might. Oh tidings of comfort and joy!" Praise God.
I'm Israeli and Jewish--but this is fantastic
Merry Christmas. Annie Lennox did work for my old organisation Shelter. Good person. And a Happy New Year.
as close to the Victorians as possible. Thank you, Ms Lenox. Your voice is our gift. Merry Christmas
It's December 1st who is listening to this in 2021?
What a wonderful, somewhat primal merging of Christianity and European paganism, this rendition is! The lyrics acclaim that Christ is King while the instruments and images exalt our European pagan ancestry. This is as it should be! Merry Christmas, and Yuletide blessings to my brothers and sisters, pagan and Christian alike!
@@Mycroft93 Friend, you touched my heart. Our God - and God's - are watching over us, yes. Blessings, always, to you and your family, our season is at hand!
@@Mycroft93 Thank you, brother! Buon" coraggio for the rest of your life.
White Europeans are dying soon to be a minority
I never knew of this, and what a wonderful remembrance of the history of Christmas. I really did cry hearing this... so glad i found it.
Its never heard on radio. too reactionary for public audience??
And also to you, friend. I felt my dormant lion stir, listening to this.
This is probably the best version of this song I've ever heard and I grew up in a Christian home so I heard this song a lot growing up.
What a lovely Christmas tune .Glad to see Annie use of ancient ways and people in her video welcoming our Lord and his Gospel .Happy Christmas all .X
"God rest ye merry, gentlemen." The gentlemen are not merry. It's a Christmas blessing. The holiday is ancient and the video is wonderful.
Best part -- Annie Lennox kneeling, gazing adoredly up at Annie Lennox. It's a pop star's version of heaven.
The best part is when Annie is kneeling and the angel tells everyone "This day is born a savior to save us all from satan's pow'r and might" so we can take comfort in Him and have joy in the message. It's all about the message. Merry Christmas Mr. Hitchcock. 🌲
Merry Christmas Mr. Hitchcock 🎄
What where Merry Christmas Mr. Hitchcock
Merry Christmas and bless you Mr. Hitchcock. 🌲
@@cristinacastelli1501
He might mean at 2:00 Annie is playing both the lady in crimson and also the angel.
I really love this song, is so scotishhh!!!! When I listening it, I really feel the christmas spirit, as a mix, between Christian and the celtic traditions!!!!
Who is listening in December 2021?
Merry Christmas all!
I come back to this version Every Christmas 🙌🏻
Oh...I just realized, I once had a wedding dress almost exactly!!!! Same color, red velvet! Thank y'all om 🕉 🙏
It's a lovely dress. Once had a wedding dress? How many wedding dresses have you had, lol?!
@carolebarker maybe she has a shop of wedding dresses 😄
@@FrancescaC84 Yes, lol, I never thought of that! :)
How did miss out on this for so long...?!
This is my favourite carol now thanks to this version. Just incredibly beautiful and ethereal.
This is so fabulous, I can't even express everything it means to me. I do love the combination of Christianity and Paganism. Merry Christmas and Happy Yule to everyone!!
How have I never heard this wonderful song before?
Fantastic.
Fantastic rendition of this carol. Annie must have one of the greatest voices of any living female singer, and the depiction of a Victorian Mummers' procession is beautifully done. Merry Christmas, everyone!
It the large puppet St Nick?
@@kimburnersackmann8829 It's rather pagan-looking. Maybe Odin?
@@PsyVen thanks. Very interesting! Googled it, and I agree.
Only one word comes to mind hearing this “ Beautiful “.......
this must be one of the most successful reworkings of a Christmas song in the history of music
Sometimes I forget what an INCREDIBLE set of pipes Annie has... All hail Ms. Lennox!
GLORY TO GOD IN HIGHEST!