1. Away In A Manager - instrumental
(public domain - JC File/John McFarland/James Murray, 1885-1887; arranged by Ryan Sheeler)
2. Iowa County Christmas - words and music by Ryan Sheeler
VERSE 1
Snow blew in last weekend; it shut down Highway 69
Just in time to hit the road and make it back for Christmas Time
Grandma makes the turkey and we all gather 'round the stove
The fields are white with snow and it's quiet on the road
CHORUS
It's an Iowa Country Christmas - a special time of year
With all the time we spend apart, it's such a joy to come back here
It might seem old-fashioned, but it's the only one for me
(It's) an Iowa Country Christmas with love and family
VERSE 2
Gram and Grandpa are gettin' older...mom and dad, retirin' soon
My brother's got a wife and 4 kids; they're all coming this afternoon
Seems like it's a month of Sundays since we all see each other any more
It's a shame life gets too busy. But it's a gift just to walk through that door.
CHORUS - SOLO - CHORUS - OUT
c. 2015 Ryan Sheeler/Highway 30 Music ASCAP - All Rights Reserved
3. Hark The Herald Angels Sing (public domain - Charles Wesley/Felix Mendelssohn; arr. by Ryan Sheeler)
VERSE 1
Hark the herald angels sing - "Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"
VERSE 2
Christ by highest heav'n adored - Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell; Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"
VERSE 3
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by - Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth - Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing - "Glory to the newborn King!"
4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - words and music by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
It doesn't show signs of stopping, and I brought some corn for popping;
The lights are turned way down low, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
When we finally say good night, how I'll hate going out in the storm;
But if you really hold me tight, all the way home I'll be warm.
The fire is slowly dying, and, my dear, we're still good-bye-ing,
But as long as you love me so, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
c. 1945 Chappell & Co. OBO Producers Music Publishing Co./ Imagem Music LLC OBO Cahn Music - used by permission. All Rights Reserved
5. Another Story -words and music by Ryan Sheeler
VERSE 1
You know this season that comes right after Fall.
What just happened with all those signs?
You missed 'em after all!
PRE-CHORUS
I know you used to believe And now you're just not sure at all
well maybe this is your moment to make a brand new start
CHORUS
Come with me - it's a brand new journey
Come with me - walk away from all you knew
It's another story - time to turn the first page
It's a new beginning - for a brand new day
VERSE 2
I figured you might be hurting ... something, someone past
so you sit down in this cafe looking for the Christmas that always lasts
PRE-CHORUS - CHORUS - SOLO - CHORUS - END
c.2015 Ryan Sheeler/Highway 30 Music ASCAP - All Rights Reserved
"A Star Above The Highway"
all songs c. Ryan Sheeler/Highway 30 Music ASCAP unless otherwise noted
6. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - instrumental
(public domain - Edmund Sears/Richard Storrs Willis 1849,
arr. by Ryan Sheeler)
7. In The Bleak Midwinter
(public domain; text by Christina Rossetti, 1872 /
music by Gustav Holst, 1906) *new verse by Ryan Sheeler, c. 2015
VERSE 1
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen softly, snow on snow
in the bleak midwinter, oh so long ago.
VERSE 2
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
for the Lord Almighty, Jesus Christ.
VERSE 3*
Looking down from heaven, I wonder what He sees?
Is it all the loss and longing, in the hearts of you and me?
We search the whole world over, for long-forgotten bliss
and never find another gift as pure as His
VERSE 4
And so, what can I give him, woeful as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: I will give my heart.
8. Reading: "Gen. Robert E Lee letter to his wife, Christmas 1862"
-
Music: "A Soldier's Homecoming" by Ryan Sheeler, c.2006
-
Sarah Beisser Ling-violin, Ryan Sheeler-guitar
9. Lo How E'er A Rose Is Blooming - instrumental
(traditional arr. Ryan Sheeler)
10. Rose of Bethlehem
words and music by Lowell Alexander
VERSE 1
There's a Rose in Bethlehem - with a beauty quite divine
Perfect in this world of sin, on this silent holy night
There's a fragrance much like hope that it sends upon the wind
Reaching out to every soul from a lowly manger's crib
CHORUS
Oh, Rose of Bethlehem - How lovely, pure, and sweet
Born to glorify the Father - Born to wear the thorns for me
VERSE 2
There's a Rose in Bethlehem - Colored red like mercy's blood
'Tis the flower of our faith - 'tis the blossom of God's love
Though it's bloom is fresh with youth, Surely what will be He knows
For a tear of morning dew is rolling down the Rose
CHORUS
VERSE 1 - repeat
There's a Rose in Bethlehem with a beauty quite divine
Perfect in this world of sin on this silent holy night
CHORUS
Oh, Rose of Bethlehem - How lovely, pure, and sweet
Born to glorify the Father - Born to wear the thorns for me
CHORUS - END
Copyright © 1992 Birdwing Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
11. O Little Town of Bethlehem -- instrumental
(Public Domain; 1868 - Phillips Brooks/Lewis Redner arr. Ryan Sheeler)
12. A Star Above The Highway -words and music by Ryan Sheeler
VERSE 1
I-80 Westbound lane The months turn like pages to December
Christmas in the headlights shinin' like the present he forgot to remember
Take the on-ramp to another life and come back around
Just in time to be home - What he thought he'd lost, he found
CHORUS
There was a star above the highway; couldn't hide from the light
maybe there's a reason he's driving home tonight
The season's only promise brought the memory to light
(There's a) star above the highway; love comes home tonight
VERSE 2
Did he fall asleep at the wheel and drive all that way?
The endless highways sure make for a lonely holiday
The is the only job he ever knew, out on the road somewhere
though he's payin' bills for the family when he'd rather be at home
BRIDGE
His Faith never did have wheels
just a book and a few half-hearted prayers
Now it's all he needs to make it back there.
SOLO - CHORUS - TAG - END
c.2015 Ryan Sheeler/Highway 30 Music ASCAP - All Rights Reserved
13. We Are Waiting - words and music by Ryan Sheeler and Todd Teske
VERSE 1
Thank you for the promise You made it worth the wait.
You brought us our salvation and you fixed our broken state.
And when we turned our backs on you, you didn't let us go
Instead you chose a special star-lit night to say, "I love you so."
CHORUS
We are waiting by the door, for the promise we've been longing for.
We are waiting on you Lord; We will come and worship,
let your kingdom live in us forever more.
VERSE 2
To thousand years seem long ago; they're just a breath for you.
It sometimes feels like years are slowly years wiping out the truth.
Still, the Babe was born that night a gift wrapped in a choice.
Rise up like that holy angel choir in one united voice
CHORUS
BRIDGE
We are waiting - by the door (repeat 2X)
We are waiting - we're waiting, we're waiting on You, Lord
CHORUS - END
c. 2013 Ryan Sheeler/Highway30 Music ASCAP, and Todd Teske - All Rights Reserved
14. Silent Night (Instrumental)
(Public Domain; 1818 - Franz Gruber, Joseph Mohr, arr. by Ryan Sheeler)