Bookended by Cats was named after Milo and Otis. They are the short, orange, and furry brothers who, upon entering our lives in 2003, often bookended us on our couch. And who are we? We're a geek couple living in PA. We love music, movies, TV, comics, books, and comic cons. And, from time to time, we'll share our thoughts on these nerdy things.

Sunday, December 28, 2025

Christmastime by the Swingle Singers

The Swingle Singers released a Christmas album way back in 1968. It was titled Christmastime in the US (pictured above), Noëls Sans Passeport in France, and Christmas with the Swingle Singers in both the UK and the Netherlands. The other two releases had different album art than the US release:

Cover art for French release
 
UK and Netherlands cover art

This album marked the first time the UK-based a cappella vocal group tackled something other than classical pieces, but they still applied their trademark approach of singing notes and tones in counterpoint rather than lyrics. So, this collection of carols and hymns are sung with dee-dum's and la-la's rather than actual verses. And it's actually quite a pleasant listen. 

This album was reissued in 1980 with the title Christmas Album and new artwork: 

Christmas Album (1980)

I'm not sure when in 1980 that re-issue hit shelves, but it was likely for that year's holiday season. Therefore, I'm guessing we can confidently say this particular version of the album is now 45 years old. So, even though I already posted the final Friday 80s Flashback of 2025 last Friday, consider this something of an honorable mention, or a bonus, album to close out 2025. 

The embedded YouTube video has all then songs of the 1968 release, and features photos from the 1968 US release.



Side A track listing:
  1. Medley: "Jingle Bells" (Pierpont) / "Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant" / "Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen" – 3:47
  2. Medley: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" / "The First Nowell" / "Go Tell It On the Mountain" – 3:13
  3. "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" ("Silent Night") (Gruber, Mohr) – 2:35
  4. Medley: "Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly" / "What Child Is This?" – 3:12
  5. Medley: "O Jul Med Din Glede" / "Komt, Verwondert U Hier Mensen" / "Away in a Manger" – 3:53
Side B track listing:
    1. Medley: "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes" / "Oh Tannenbaum" / "Bel Astre Que J'Adore" – 3:15
    2. Medley: "El Noi de la Mare" / "Hanej, Nynej, Jezisku" ("Rocking Carol") / "Canzone Dei Zampognari" – 2:46
    3. Medley: "We Three Kings Of Orient Are" (Hopkins) / "The Holly And The Ivy" – 3:11
    4. "White Christmas", (Irving Berlin) – 2:12
    5. Medley: "Stchedrivka" ("Carol of the Bells") / "Dag Visen" / "O Sanctissima" – 3:09


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