Orchard House Media | The Ghostriders Let It Go

We really are not that young now,
It’s been a while since we’ve sung, now.
We thought it’d be fun to put on a show,
So let it go, let it go, let it go.

We will sing a few tunes for you,
Some are old, some borrowed, some new.
We hope you will feel Christmas cheer,
Both now and throughout all the year.

So, behold our lyrical jumble,
We’re trying so hard not to stumble.
But if we happen to stub our toe,
Let it go, let it go, let it go.

We will sing a few tunes for you,
Some are old, some are borrowed, some new.
Christmas is the leitmotif,
Also et… also cur… sumus hic! *

So, behold our lyrical jumble,
We’re trying so hard not to stumble.
But if we happen to stub our toe,
Let it go, let it go, let it go.

* et cur sumus hic is a line from the ©1980 classic Ghostriders tune “Kaleidescope.” The entire line reads Et cur sumus hic? Roga matrem tuam. Which means And why are we here? Go ask your mother.

Elder Day

Originally “Lovely Day”

Concept/words by Steve Christenson, arr. Ghostriders

Steve Christenson – lead vocal

John Helgen – piano, synthesizer

Dave Michel – electric bass, guitars, percussion

Dave “Animal” Hanzel – drums

Annelise Ellingboe, Robin Helgen, Brad Ellingboe, John Helgen – backing vocals

Linda Breitag – violin

Terry “Quote Machine” Brau – saxophone

As I’m ready to begin my day,
I’ve already lost the thread;
My glasses are completely lost, (wait a minute...)
They are sitting on my head.
Then I look at you
Though I can’t see a thing;
Squinting harder now,
Looks like it’s going to be
An elder day.

When I laced up my new running shoes,
I was feeling pretty fine;
I was ready to convince the team
That I could finish in good time.
Then I noticed kids - young kids - passing in a blur;
Strollers flying by,
It’s going to be, for sure
An elder day.

As I decide what I should wear today,
My closet’s looking sad;
Compression socks and cargo shorts,
My grandpa’s favorite fad.
Then I look at you;
You’re looking great to me.
Maybe I can learn,
But till then it will be
An elder day.

Jeg Er Så Glad (Un Fromage du Noël)

aka

I Am So Glad

19th century Norwegian Christmas carol

and including the tune “O Tannenbaum”

Concept/words by Dave Michel, arr. Helgen & B. Ellingboe, gastronomical verse by John Helgen

Dave Michel – Host

Brad Ellingboe, Steve Christenson, John Helgen, Randy Ellingboe, Dave Michel – vocals

[Narration]: Welcome to the Oslo Opera House (Operahuset) for this live concert by The Ghostriders. This is a spectacular concert hall with flawless acoustics and beautiful visual aesthetics, and is the penultimate European venue for the Ghostriders’ tour.

This opening piece is a reimagining of an old Norwegian favorite carol, Jeg er så glad.

And here they are, coming on stage. Steve is taking his time with his walker, but it looks like he’ll make it… this time.

Jeg er så glad hver julekveld,
thi da ble Jesus født;
da lyste stjernen som en sol,
og engler sang så søtt.

I am so glad for Christmas cheese;
I clap and stomp my foot;
The piquant ripeness tweaks my nose,
Unlike Mom’s rømmegrøt.

I love the smell of Gamalost,
It reeks of dirty socks,
Like rakfisk, lutefisk, Surströmming,
all foods the whole world mocks.

(to the tune of O Tannenbaum):
O Gamalost, O gamalost,
How lovely are your stenches!
O Gamalost, O gamalost,
My innards are in clenches!
And even though you smell that way,
We’ll eat you first on Christmas Day.
O Gamalost, O gamalost,
Oh, how my stomach wrenches!

And so I’m glad for Christmas cheese,
In spite of all the complaints,
I’ll make each guest take half a slice
Ignoring court restraints.

Ignoring court restraints,
In spite of all the complaints.

We Five Kings

Original tune and lyrics by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. ©1857

Concept/words/arrangement by Brad Ellingboe, grammar check by Linda Breitag

Steve Christenson – lead vocal

Chris Margard – electric bass (left)

Dave Michel – string bass (right), hooter, vocals

Randy Ellingboe – drums

John Helgen – vocals

Brad Ellingboe – toy xylophone, vocals, earthquake

We five kings of Orient are,
One on a bicycle, one in a car.
One on a scooter blowing his hooter,
Following yonder star.

We three kings of Orient are,
Chomping on a rubber cigar.
It was loaded and exploded…!

We two kings of Orient are,
Chomping on a rubber cigar.
It was loaded and exploded…!

(tentatively...) Me one king of Orient am,
Chomping on a rubber ci- …!

Silent night. Silent night.

Merry Litttle Christmas

Arrangement by John Helgen

Annelise Ellingboe – vocal

John Helgen – piano

Dave Michel – string bass, shakers

Randy Ellingboe – drums

Terry Brau – saxophone

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Let your heart be light.
From now on your troubles will be out of sight.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Make the Yuletide gay.
From now on your troubles will be miles away.

Once again as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Will be near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together, if the Fates allow.
Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow.
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Through the years we all will be together, if the Fates allow.
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Ghost Reindeer In the Sky

Melody based on the folk song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”

Concept/words by Brad Ellingboe & John Helgen, arr. John Helgen

Brad Ellingboe – lead vocal, backing vocals

John Helgen – piano, organ, trombone, backing vocals

Dave Michel – string bass, guitar, percussion, mouth noises, backing vocals

Randy Ellingboe – drums

Steve Christenson – voice, backing vocals

Terry Brau – trumpet, horse

Santa – backing vocals

Five old cowpokes went ridin’ out one cold and wintry day;
They got so tired they had to stop and rest along the way.
When all at once they looked above and to their great dismay
Nine reindeer loped on by ‘em - they were haulin’ Santa’s sleigh.

Yippee aye yay. Yippee aye oh. Confusion in the sky.

They thought their eyes had failed them as they saw ‘em all pass through;
They always felt the legend of the reindeer was not true.
But right before their weary eyes flew Santa and his team,
A’blazin’ through the heavens, it just had to be a dream.

Yippee aye yay. Yippee aye oh. Ghost herd in the sky.

As the reindeer loped on by them, old Santa yelled a name:
“Hey, Dasher… no, no, Dancer… Donder… oh, for Pete’s sake, what’s your name? Rudoph!”
And all at once a mighty herd of reindeer they did see,
A’plowin’ through their clouded minds, and up the Christmas tree.

Yippee aye yay. Yippee aye oh. Ghost reindeer in the sky.

Ho, ho, ho, ho.

References

Basic tracks recorded at Wild Sound in Minneapolis on August 8, 2023, by Steve Kaul.

Overdubs, mixing and mastering done at Orchard House in Minneapolis by Dave Michel.

Sax on “Merry Little Christmas” recorded at Terry’s place.

Graphics and layout by George Arthur.

The Ghostriders Let It Go - Lyrics & Credits

The Ghostriders Let It Go

Bonus Tracks

Track Listing

Let It Go

Elder Day

Jeg Er Så Glad (Un Fromage du Noël)

We Five Kings

Merry Litttle Christmas

Ghost Reindeer In the Sky

References

Let It Go

Elder Day

Jeg Er Så Glad (Un Fromage du Noël)

We Five Kings

Merry Little Christmas

Ghost Reindeer in The Sky