Christmas carol for genealogists!

[Sandra Parker]

|5cups|
This arrived in my email inbox from unknown source, but worth sharing.
To Be Sung to the Tune of
GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN


Good Wishes, family history buffs,
Wherever you may be,
It's time to close that pc down
And raise a glass with me;
We've done our best the whole year through
Our ancestors to find:
So lets drink to that ever-growing tree,
(This round's on me!)
Let's drink to that ever-growing tree.

We know it's not an easy task
To trace Great-uncle Jim,
Who went to Burma, married thrice,
And lived a life of sin;
He ran off with the parson's daughter -
She was number three -
So let's drink to that ever-growing tree
(This round's on me!)
Let's drink to that ever-growing tree.

Alo-ysius Finkelbaum
Is not a common name,
You'd think he'd crop up somewhere
But he's hiding just the same;
Tried IGI, the Census, FRC and BMD -
Hell, let's drink to that ever-growing tree,
(Thish roundsh on me!)
Let's drink to that ever-growing tree.

Tom Gadsden was a mariner - in 1691
He hopped the twig in Nevis
After too long in the sun,
But how to find his resting-place
Will be the death of ME!
Let's drink to that ever-growing tree,
(Da de da dee)
Let's drink to that ever-growing tree.

Though brick walls may confound us
And our eyes are growing dim,
We'll never stop our searching
For that one elusive limb -
We're addicts and we're proud of it
As anyone can see,
So let's drink to that ever-growing tree -
(Hic - no more for me!)
Let's drink to that ever-growing tree.

Many thanks to author John Cairns (whoever and wherever he may be)
Sandra

[jeanettemarie]

Brilliant,
I think we should all get together and sing it then release a cd, |jumphappy

[v.wells]

BRILLIANT!!

[Davran]

Brilliant! Might take it to the carol service and sing it under my breath! :D

[Annie]

A Genealogist's Christmas Eve
(author unknown)


'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.
The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote
Sank in a storm on an ill fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and the such
Were proof that my work had become much too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.

Christmas was here, and of such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I forgot.
Had I not been so busy with grandparent's wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills.
While others had bought gifts that would bring Christmas cheer;
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and I yanked up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.

Up to the housetop the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys, and old Santa Claus too.
And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
The TV antenna was no match for their horns,
And look at our roof with hoof-prints adorned.

As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa - KER-RASH!
"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good old Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit, you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy;
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.
He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)

"Tonight I've met many like you", Santa grinned.
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.
I gazed with amazement - the cover it read
"Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead."
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug,"
He said as he gave me a great Santa Hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folks who can't find a thing.
Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."

As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.
While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team which then rose like the down of a thistle
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family History is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"

[busyglen]

That's brilliant Annie! :)

Glenys

[Mutley]

A Genealogist's Christmas Eve

I cried,|sad1|
It could so easily happen to me, but without the happy ending!!

[jeanettemarie]

Annie that was great, |bowdown|sounds like my house, papers all over the front room, seperate piles for different names, are all we genealogists the same
Merry Christmas to all|cheers|
Jeanette

[v.wells]

Annie that was great, |bowdown|sounds like my house, papers all over the front room, seperate piles for different names, are all we genealogists the same
Merry Christmas to all|cheers|
Jeanette

That was terrific!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!

[Davran]

Hmmmmm. I think that rings a faint bell! ;)

[RosemaryDS]

I don't know who John Cairns is, but for the record I wrote this Christmas Carol (based on the tune God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen). Uncle Jim who lived in Burma was a real person, as was Tom Gadsden who died in Nevis. All the best, Rosemary (nee Gadsden).

[wendymac]

Wonderful !:santa:

[Mr.Potter]

23 Psalm for Genealogists

Genealogy is my pastime, I shall not stray
It maketh me to lie down and examine tombstones
It leadeth me into still Courthouses
It restoreth my Ancestral Knowledge
It leadeth me into the path of census records and ship’s passengers lists for my Ancestor’s sake
Yea, though I walk through the shadows of research libraries and microfilm readers
I shall fear no discouragement, for a strong urge is within me
The curiosity and motivation, they comfort me
It demandeth preparation of storage space for the acquisition of countless documents
It annointest my head with burning midnight oil
My Family Group Sheets runneth over
Surely, birth, death and marriage dates shall follow me all the days of my life
And I shall dwell in the house of family history seeker forever.

Anon

[spison]

I don't know who John Cairns is, but for the record I wrote this Christmas Carol (based on the tune God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen). Uncle Jim who lived in Burma was a real person, as was Tom Gadsden who died in Nevis. All the best, Rosemary (nee Gadsden).
Methinks you've gone viral. Congratulations. Hilarious! (and so true) :clap:
Jane

[kinneo]

The Christmas Carol is brilliant, how clever, but I do like the 23Psalm,Mr Potter, and very true it is,,