the one and only official web site: www.thenewchristyminstrels.com as well as The NCM Foundation web site: www.newchristyminstrelsfoundation.org
Formed by Founder Randy Sparks in 1961, The New Christy Minstrels®, Under the Direction of Randy Sparks had several Top 40 folk music hits, including "This Land Is Your Land", "Green, Green", "Today" and "Ramblin'". Current members of the group include Founder, Randy Sparks, along with Dolan Ellis, Pete Henderson, Becky Jo Benson, Eddie Boggs, Jennifer Lind, Dave Deutschendorf (John Denver's Uncle), and Greg O'Haver tour in concert throughout the year. For touring Schedule: http://www.thenewchristyminstrels.com/#Schedule
The New Christy Minstrels' film score for the 1964 comedy movie, Advance to the Rear, featuring Glenn Ford and Stella Stevens, was the first complete soundtrack ever made in the folk music style. The score is notable for the hit standard "Today" and several others, including "This Old Riverboat" and "Company of Cowards" (the original title). The soundtrack album has been re-released on CD as Today. In 2007 the group recorded "RECYCLED" The New Christy Minstrels® Greatest Hits CD and in 2011 have plans to record "RECYCLED II" and "Land of Giants II". The NCM CDs are available at their live concerts and from THE STORE located on their web site: www.thenewchristyminstrels.com In 2009 Randy Sparks and The New Christy Minstrels® received a Star on The Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Most of their concerts end up being sold out, in the group's current performance Schedule, so if they are in your area you should buy tickets early.
We Need a Little Christmas
The New Christy Minstrels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking, we may be rushing things but deck the halls again now
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinnet
Right this very minute
It hasn't snowed a single flurry but
Santa dear, we're in a hurry so
Climb down the chimney, put out the
brightest string of lights I've ever seen
Slice up the friutcake, it's time we hang some
tinsel on that evergreen bough
For I've grown a little leaner
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older and I
need a little angel
sitting on my shoulder
We need a little Christmas now!
Oh yes we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinnet
Yes we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
We need a little Christmas now!
Yes we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
We need a little Christmas now!
Bam ba ba bam
Bam ba ba bam
Bam ba ba bam
Bam ba ba bam
Bam ba ba bam
Bam ba ba bam
Bam ba ba bam
Bam ba ba bam
End
The song "We Need a Little Christmas" by The New Christy Minstrels is a lively tune that illustrates the yearning for the holiday season. The lyrics suggest that it's time to bring the holiday cheer and turn the world into lights and colours. The song describes the feeling of how people wait for the arrival of Christmas impatiently. As the opening lines suggest, it urges listeners to haul out the holly and put up the tree before "my spirit falls again." It is a song about the longing for happiness and for being surrounded by loved ones during the holidays.
The chorus emphasizes the urgency of the situation, suggesting that the holiday season should start "right this very minute." The lyrics mention the need for candles in the window, carols at the spinet, and an angel on our shoulder. These are all symbols of the holiday season that bring joy and holiday spirit. The verses also make reference to the preparation of holiday decorations and traditional treats such as fruitcake.
Overall, "We Need a Little Christmas" is a cheerful, upbeat song that encourages listeners to embrace the holiday spirit and to celebrate in the traditional way.
Line by Line Meaning
Haul out the holly
Let us bring out the holly, a symbol of Christmas and cheerfulness
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Let us erect the Christmas tree to lift the mood and avoid any more despondency
Fill up the stocking, we may be rushing things but deck the halls again now
Despite the possibility of being a bit too eager, let us embrace the spirit of the season by loading up the stockings and decorating the halls
For we need a little Christmas
We are in dire need of some holiday cheer
Right this very minute
Immediately, without any hesitation
Candles in the window
Let us light candles in the window, as is customary in this festive season
Carols at the spinnet
Let us play and sing Christmas carols on the spinet, a type of small piano
It hasn't snowed a single flurry but
Although there has been no snowfall yet
Santa dear, we're in a hurry so
We are in a rush, dear Santa, so please be quick
Climb down the chimney, put out the brightest string of lights I've ever seen
Please come down the chimney, and let us decorate with the most dazzling lights we can find
Slice up the fruitcake, it's time we hang some tinsel on that evergreen bough
Let us slice the fruitcake, and decorate the evergreen bough with tinsel
For I've grown a little leaner
I have become a bit thinner
Grown a little colder
I have become a bit colder, emotionally or physically
Grown a little sadder
I have become a bit sadder, emotionally or mentally
Grown a little older and I
I have become a bit older
Need a little angel sitting on my shoulder
I require a small angel figure to be by my side, bringing me comfort and peace
Oh yes we need a little Christmas
We definitely need some Christmas spirit
We need a little Christmas now!
We need some holiday cheer immediately
Bam ba ba bam
Musical expression, indicating the beat or rhythm of the song
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Haley Watterson
I remember my grandma used to listen to old Christmas songs like this. She loved Christmas so much that she practically was Christmas. She listened to Christmas music and watched Christmas specials all year round. She died in 2010 but this keeps her memory alive. Love this song!
Haley Watterson
@S G I suppose we all need a little Christmas now.
wyman36
This version is one of my favorites because of the banjo. It gives the song a Southern kind of sound.
Luis G Aisa
Same, good ear.
Brian Ritchie
I like this version too.
Charlie Kucharski
I totally agree about the banjo. Larry Ramos is doing an Earl Scruggs roll on this one and it helps make the song. Some pretty amazing singing and harmony too.
Mark Parrotte
Always crank this up in the car and when I start decorating every year. One of my family's favorites. Classic
Leggs013
Great Christmas Song!!!!
todd canton
one of my favorite holiday tunes....on my playing list for sure....
TheCarnivalGuy
This is included on the LP “The Great Songse of Christmas” by great artists of our time. It was backed by Goodyear through Columbia records: many of the featured artists being under contract to them. The release date was 1966, and I was with my dad when we stopped at Goodyear. At age 11, I thought he was going to buy a tire, but he came out with the album. Dad had purchased a new home stereo, and I was the guilty party who played the heck out of it. 😇
The album is now 54 yrs. old, and after dad died in 1977, I asked mom if she would let me have it—she did. This LP is a great memento of my youth: memories of childhood, of home, of Christmas, of love, and especially of my dad. 🥲