Day 3 rolls over the horizon. Today I have one of my favourites – I’ve included it for the past five years so it must be, right? – and one which is brand new. They represent two very different takes on Christmas!

This first one is an absolute hoot:

When I shared this last year, this is what I said: “You might need to watch that more than once to get all of the jokes, there are so many packed into it. The Dropkick Murphys are an American ‘Celtic punk’ band, from Boston, who clearly revel in their Irish roots, and I love this video. The lead singer, Ken Casey, doesn’t have a voice for lullabies but it is well suited to this one! The band has been going since 1996, and Casey is the only original member still there. Their other videos are fun, too, if you want to follow up on them.” (Including that piece will save Jim having to look it up and see if I’m recycling old material – which, of course, I am!). I stand by those comments, as it does bear a repeat watch or three to catch everything, and if you’ve ever seen the video for their ‘homage’ to one of the Sex Pistols, Mick Jones Nicked My Pudding, you’ll know what I mean about them being funny. Is Christmas like that in your house? The fun is good but I’m not sure I could take the chaos: when I was married our two person junior terrorist squad caused more than enough mayhem!

Today’s second offering from behind the Advent Calendar door could hardly be more different. This was released two days ago as a charity single, all profits to be given to the MusiCare organisation, which provides resources for the health and wellbeing of musicians. It isn’t the most ambitious song The Lumineers have ever recorded, but the song and accompanying video really do create that warm, welcoming feeling that we associate with Christmas:

If you want a singalong for the festive season, you could do a lot worse than this one. It has, however, left me in a slightly puzzled state. As you can see, it says on the video that this features Daniel Rodriguez. In view of the prevalent trumpet running through the song, I guessed that was his role, so I looked him up. There is an operatic tenor from Puerto Rico by that name, but I don’t hear an operatic tenor voice in the mix. Then I also found a Daniel Rodriguez who describes himself as a ‘freelance trumpeter’ from El Paso, Texas. From his website, he sounds like a good guy with 25 years’ experience playing and teaching, so I’m rather hoping it is him, as I think he deserves a moment of fame. Any clarity that you can provide will be gratefully accepted!

Those are today’s offerings, and I hope you’ve enjoyed them. And to close, here is today’s thought for the day:

Till the morrow…☃️