What Christmas song should Bob Dylan sing? One expert's opinion

The official announcement of Bob Dylan's Christmas album, "Christmas in the Heart," included a list of some of the songs the bard will tackle. So far, we know only a handful of the tracks on the charity-benefiting album, but they're all pretty standard, predictable fare.

That doesn't, of course, mean Dylan's interpretation will be; simply an acknowledgment that the initial crop of tunes don't dig too deep in the Christmas canon.

As of now, we have "Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Must Be Santa.” That's all well and good, but how about a few that aren't already residing in most families' Christmas play lists?

Former Times critic Robert Hilburn already Tweeted a request, noting that he's rooting for "Blue Christmas." Nice, but a definitive version of that choice already exists from Elvis.

So what song can Dylan make his own? It's a question best answered by the King -- the King of Jingaling, that is.

By day, the King of Jingaling is Brad Ross-MacLeod, a former college professor-turned-middle school teacher in Kenosha, Wis. He also maintains one of the deepest, and easiest-to-navigate, Christmas song websites around at falalalala.com, a fascinating trip into the music of Christmases past. Each year, Ross-MacLeod releases a digital Advent calendar of sorts, a compilation of rare Christmas songs. Download past collections here.

He's also nice, and will help you track down that Christmas song from your youth that you must have again every December, as he did for me when I was on the prowl for Glen Campbell's "Little Toy Trains." The King of Jingaling, surely, would know the right Christmas song for Dylan to tackle.

He didn't disappoint. The initial songs on Dylan's album show he's staying away from any topics of his religion, but perhaps there's something with some slight political or cultural implications that would fit in nicely with his career?

"He's covering some great chestnuts primarily from the secular Christmas canon. I know lots of people who'd love to see him tackle some traditional carols. Personally, I think his style would be perfect for one of the Alfred Burt carols," said the King of Jingaling.

There's not too much information to be found on Burt, who penned a number of Christmas songs in the '40s and '50s. He wrote "Caroling, Caroling," which was popularized by Nat King Cole. The King of Jingaling has "Some Children See Him" on his Dylan wish list, a song he notes is "one of the first multi-cultural" carols. 

A YouTube embed of the song is above, which James Taylor recorded in 2004. It perhaps has more Christian references than Dylan will want to tackle, but frames those beliefs -- and what shapes they may take -- with more ambiguity than most well-known Christmas songs.

-- Todd Martens

Comments

[Knox Animal]

Bob Dylan can't sing anything not written by him, so other than this CD being for charity, I'm not really sure what the appeal is.

[Unabashed Fan]

Clearly, Knox Animal, you have not heard the early 1990s albums of old Blues and other traditional covers, Good As I Been To You and World Gone Wrong. Or for that matter, House of the Rising Sun, among others, on his very first album, Bob Dylan. Admittedly though, the voice was better in both those periods, and one has to wonder about his singing range for some of the more challenging songs proposed.

[Rita May]

"Little Drummer Boy" is a religious carol. Too, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" has been rumored as one of the songs he recorded for this album.

Personally, I'd love to hear him do "I Wonder As I Wander." And what intrigues me most is the title of the record - I'm wondering if Bob perhaps didn't pen a Christmas song of his own?

[george observer]

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,

[bokhara]

How about "Christmas Must Be Tonight" by The Band, though old Bob could not even approach Danko's vocal.

[Wilbur]

Although it's not an American classic Christmas song, I'd like to hear Bob sing Merry X-mas Everybody originally written and performed by Slade

[Joey B]

He should of course cover only xmas songs penned by Jews:

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire - Mel Torme

White Christmas - Irving Berlin

Let it snow (x3) - Sammy Cahn

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer - Johnny Marks

and so on...

[arthur degaeta]

From Cadalacs to Christmas songs. I believe he's really feeling the ression.

[Thomas Ingerick]

Dear Santa,

It would be wonderful to hear Bob Dylan cover these songs on his Christmas album: "A-Soalin'", "The Rebel Jesus", "Silent Night All Day Long", "Greensleeves", "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", "Merry Christmas Baby", "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" and "Auld Lang Syne".

I know Bob Dylan is very busy in his own work shop this time of the year, so if you could pass my letter along to him I would really appreciate it.

Your buddy,
Thomas Ingerick

[AZbridgegallery]

I agree with Robert Hilburn, "Blue Christmas" remains a monumental Yuletide chestnut and a duet with Merle Haggard would certainly rock through the ages.

[toh246]

None. He's Dylan.
Nothing in this world is sacred anymore. Nothing.

[bridgegallerynet]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.......the joy of the Christmas duet. Imagine Dylan & Waits teaming up on "Auld Lang Syne" or Willie & Bob waxing a version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus". How 'bout Blue Broadway with Dylan & Clapton laying down a "Merry Christmas Baby" track? Or, the two Pauls (Simon & McCartney) joining Dylan on "Happy Xmas (War is Over)". Merry Christmas to all!

[Mary]

Blue Christmas came to mind. Any song is fine with me. I already pre ordered 2 copies. Love Bob Dylan!!!! I will buy the GPS if he really does it. How cool would that be?

[Daddywags]

Bob should record one of my songs at
http://www.newchristmasclassics.com/

[bridgegallery.net]

Perhaps, "Go Tell It On The Mountain" with Harry Belafonte, "Greensleeves" with Joan Baez & Jim Horn and "Winter Wonderland" with Mark Knopfler. Most of all an original Christmas song by Bob Dylan himself. It's all good. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!

[ShaneK]

A swinging version of 'There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays' with emphasis on double bass would be perfect for Bob's recent style and also he should do a version of 'Fairytale of New York' by Shane McGowan & The Pogues... now that's a CLASSIC Christmas song.
Over all though I do think it's hilarious that Bob has turned into an old fogey doing a Christmas album. If the young Bob Dylan who burst onto the scene in the 1960's could somehow time travel and meet the Bob Dylan of 2009...he'd laugh straight into his face. The young Bob rebelled again all the 50's MOR blandness like Perry Como with great lyrics and attitude...now Bob has practically turned into Perry Como himself:) How sad, ... It's true what 'Toh 246' says... 'Nothing is sacred anymore':(

[bridgegallery.net]

Looks like the German's may have leaked the official song file from Bob Dylan's forthcoming Christmas record. Not surprisingly, Mr. Dylan has chosen some very classy standards and a few "not so" standards. Wonder what the first single will be? I'm rooting for "I'll Be Home For Christmas" b/w "Auld Lang Syne" and pipe dreaming both songs will be vocal duets with Tom Waits.

Christ Almighty, what a joyful sound that would be. Bust your conk on peppermint candy!

Tommy

[Thomas Ingerick]

I just listened to the newly released Bob Dylan Christmas album. Once again Mr Dylan has demonstrated his unique talent for picking the unexpected song and adding creative class and understanding to the arrangement. Mitch Miller would be very proud of this Christmas album and would no doubt agree, Bob Dylan is among the best ever when it comes to music history and appreciation.

Thanks Bob, for helping to make the season merry and bright!