One of these days I’ll learn how to play this

Two songs tonight — David Qualey’s rendition of “Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring” and “Eternal Gifts” from Leigh Nash.

I first heard David Qualey’s beautiful arrangement of Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring on the very first Windham Hill ‘Christmas’CD, “A Winter’s Solstice,” (released way back in 1986).

Several years ago I tried to figure it out on my own and attempted to learn it. I managed to get bits and pieces of it down but became convinced there were two guitars playing. It wasn’t until I watched this video that I discovered differently.

It’s just one guy — David Qualey,

He’s playing what is called a ‘quint guitar” and it’s tuned up five notes.

At some point I purchased the music for this from Qualey — and one of these year’s, I’ll learn it.

(You can still purchase all of the Windham Hill Christmas/Winter Solstice cd’s (at amazon.com and via iTunes). There were six initially. But several ‘collections” have been released under different titles yet with mostly the same artists – just compiled differently.)

Qualey’s arrangement and performance of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is lovely and fitting for Christmas Eve.

Tonight’s second song  is a very simple tune with a powerful message. It’s titled “Eternal Gifts” and is performed by Leigh Nash (of sixpence none the richer – they of “kiss me” fame).  It’s from her 2010 Christmas EP, “Wishing For This.”

Wishing For This is pretty good — it features the Ron Sexsmith tune, “Maybe This Christmas,” and a good rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas,” (although I think Parton’s original is better).

“Santa knows what I want for Christmas
but Jesus knows what I need”

Can’t argue with that.

Eternal Gifts

Santa knows what I want for Christmas
but Jesus knows what I need
it can’t be purchased wrapped up and placed
under an eight foot tree

I need patience, kindness – virtues like these
to bend on my knee at the manger

Santa may bring things that last for a year
but eternal gifts come from the Savior

some days come where I’m playing selfish
I can’t think of no one but me
then I think of all that I’m blessed with
and that’s always best to give than to receive

I need faithfulness, love, generosity
to open my home to a stranger

Santa may bring things that last for a year
but eternal gifts come from the Savior

I need patience, kindness, generosity
to bend on my knee at the manger

Santa may bring things that last for a year
but eternal gifts come from the Savior

Santa knows what I want for Christmas
but Jesus knows what I need