I don't know if it is because we're in the middle of summer, I have no air conditioning at home, and the temps are in the mid-90's and I'm desperate for some sense of coolness, but the other day I found myself searching around the internet for one of my favorite Christmas songs. Now, it might be because I was an English major weaned on tragedy, irony and deep deep drama

but my favorite Christmas songs tend to be the poignant, reflective and slightly "angsty" tunes.
Back in college I was in the choir and we sang what I consider one of the *best* choral Christmas songs ever--"Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind" with lyrics taken from a poem by Shakespeare. I've found an excellent recording of this tune on youtube, which I've posted below. Also, here are the most amazing lines of the poem--I just love how Shakespeare employs the image of the harsh, cold, winter weather and instead of dismissing or diminishing it by comparing it with simple human joy and giving, he turns the thought into a bitter irony. Ah, the Bard! Gotta love him.

Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lSVZga62CwHere are the lyrics:
Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.
Heigh-ho! sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho! the holly!
This life is most jolly.
Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
Thou dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remember'd not.
Heigh-ho! sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho! the holly!
This life is most jolly.