do i dare disturb the universe?

During the Christmas 1980 season, my Dad decided to create a Christmas tape. He quickly learned that during Christmastime, all holiday-themed tapes were checked out from the library. 

So, he returned the next summer, when they were all in, and created a beautiful compilation of the greatest Christmas carols and hymns. He did this three years in a row, and these three tapes comprise the soundtrack of my childhood Christmases. 

Each time we decorated the Christmas tree, whether it be 1991 or 2001 (or 2011), you can bet those tapes were playing. And last year, my Dad made copies for me to take with me to Kansas City. He even duplicated the original tape inserts! 

A sampling from the soundtrack to Christmas 1982:

Side A:

1. Christmas Festival by Boston Pops Orc/Arthur Fielder
(Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Good King Wenceslas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, The First Noel, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, Adeste Fideles)

2. Home for the Holidays/O Holy Night/Here We Come a Caroling, by  Perry Como

3. Christmas Born on Christmas Day/ Angels We Have Heard On High, by J Klien

4. I Heard the Bells, by Eddie Arnold

5. Mary’s Boy Child, by Harry Belefonte

6. Little Altar Boy, by Glen Campbell

7. Santa Claus is Coming to Town, by Roger Williams

8. Frosty the Snowman, by Willie Nelson

9. Good King Wenceslas by St Paul and St Mary Choir

10. Merry Christmas Darling/ Christ is Born, by The Carpenters

11. I Heard the Bells, by Andy Williams