George Perris - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

VO: Support for "George Perris: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" comes from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

The Horatio Alger Award has been presented to outstanding Americans who embody the American dream, built on hard work, perseverance and success.

Through them, the Association has awarded scholarships to enable 36,000 youth to pursue their American dream through higher education.

[soft chiming percussion] [soft chiming percussion] [slow dramatic horns] ["It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" melody plays] It's the most wonderful time of the year - Ding dong, ding dong!

With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It's the most wonderful time of the year It's the hap-happiest season of all - Ding dong, ding dong!

With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings When friends come to call It's the hap- happiest season of all...!

There'll be parties for hosting Marshmallows for toasting And caroling out in the snow There'll be scary ghost stories And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago It's the most wonderful time of the year - Ding dong, ding dong!

There'll be much mistletoeing And hearts will be glowing When loved ones are near It's the most wonderful time of the year (waltz melody) (horns/violins) (backing singers) There'll be parties for hosting Marshmallows for toasting And caroling out in the snow - There'll be scary ghost stories And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago Long ago!

It's the most wonderful time of the year There'll be much mistletoeing And hearts will be glowing When loved ones are near It's the most wonderful time Yes, the most wonderful time It's the most wonderful time of the year...!

(audience applauds) George: Good evening, and thank you for being here with us tonight.

And happy holidays from my home country, Greece, and one of the most beautiful theaters in Europe which is so graciously hosting us tonight.

If you're not a person who enjoys Christmas songs and the holiday season, then this next hour is not for you.

But... if come December every year (soft piano music) you start feeling like a kid, then this next hour is for you.

Happy holidays, and thank you for being with us tonight!

(jazzy saxophone/strings) It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Everywhere you go Take a look at the five and ten It's glistening once again With candy canes and silver lanes that glow It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Toys in every store But the prettiest sight to see Is the holly that will be On your own front door A pair of Hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots Is the wish of Barney and Ben Dolls that'll talk and will go for a walk Is the hope of Janice and Jen And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Everywhere you go There's a tree in the Grand Hotel one in the park as well It's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Soon the bells will start But the thing that'll make 'em ring is the carol that you sing Right within your heart (jazzy melody) It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Toys in every store [slower tempo] But the prettiest sight to see Is the holly that will be On your own front door Sure, it's Christmas once more [piano melody] (audience shouts/applauds) [gentle piano intro] Oh so long I've been waiting For the season to come When the snowflakes are falling And our family is one It's the time before Christmas Just when the magic begins [shuffle beat] I see millions of candles Lighting up every home See the poor and the homeless they'll be all but alone It's the time before Christmas Just when the goodness begins Before Christmas I'm falling in love Before Christmas I'm falling in love Like a child I am wishing Mistletoe kissing And falling in love again All the people are longing For good fortune they plea Making a new years promise how their future may be It's the time before Christmas Just when the magic begins Before Christmas I'm falling in love Before Christmas I'm falling in love Like a child I am wishing Mistletoe kissing And falling in love again - La, da-da, da-da-da!

So let's hope that this Christmas Will be more than just a dream It's the moment that we've all been waiting for Let's appreciate togetherness Sharing all happiness And keep our dreams alive forever more Oh, so long I've been waiting for the season to come No matter what your religion We all gather for fun It's the time before Christmas Just when the magic begins Before Christmas I'm falling in love Before Christmas I'm falling in love Like a child I am wishing Mistletoe kissing And falling in love again I'm falling in love again I'm falling in love (gentle piano) again...!

[audience applauds] (upbeat melody) [audience claps in time] Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring, ting, tingling, too Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, "Yoo hoo" Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go let's look at the show We're riding in a wonderland of snow Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it's grand just holding your hand (backing singers) We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairyland - Our cheeks are nice and cozy and comfy and cozy are we We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you (elegant joyful strings) (bolder drums/horns) Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go let's look at the show We're riding in a wonderland of snow Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it's grand just holding your hand (backing singers) We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairyland - Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy and cozy are we We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you Sleigh ride together with you Sleigh ride together with you Sleigh ride together (bold drums) with you...!

(audience applauds) (soft strings/percussion) Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose Yuletide carols being sung by a choir And folks dressed up like Eskimos Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe Help to make the season bright Tiny tots, with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep tonight They know that Santa's on his way He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh And every mother's child is gonna spy To see if reindeer really know how to fly And so... I'm offering this simple phrase To kids from one to ninety-two Although it's been said many times, many ways Merry Christmas to you [piano plays melody] And every mother's child is gonna spy To see if reindeer really know how to fly And so... I'm offering this simple phrase To kids from one to ninety-two Although it's been said many times, many ways Merry Christmas to you Merry Christmas to you... (music fades) (audience shouts/applauds) (applause) [soft piano/strings intro] ["Silent Night" melody] Silent Night...

[singing in Greek] all Christians are awaiting for you with joy With faith we chant and we praise God With one mouth and one voice Yes, with one voice Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh [trumpet plays melody] (elegant strings) Silent night... Holy night All is calm All is bright Round yon Virgin mother and child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace [music stops] Sleep in heavenly peace... (audience applauds) You're here where you should be Snow is falling as the carolers sing It just wasn't the same Alone on Christmas day Presents, what a beautiful sight Don't mean a thing if you ain't holding me tight You're all that I need Underneath the tree Tonight (tonight) I'm gonna hold you close - Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo!

Make sure that you know (you know) I was lost before you Christmas was cold and gray Another holiday (so alone) Alone to celebrate But then (But then) one day (one day) Everything changed You're all I need Underneath the tree You're here where you should be Snow is falling as the carolers sing It just wasn't the same Alone on Christmas day Presents, what a beautiful sight Don't mean a thing if you ain't holding me tight You're all that I need Underneath the tree I found what I was looking for A love that's meant for me A heart that's mine completely Knocked me right off my feet And this year I will fall With no worries at all Cause you are near And everything's clear You're all I need Underneath the tree You're here where you should be Snow is falling as the carolers sing It just wasn't the same Alone on Christmas day Presents, what a beautiful sight Don't mean a thing if you ain't holding me tight You're all that I need Underneath the tree (bouncy bright melody) [chiming percussion/bold drums] [slower tempo] But then, one day Everything changed You're all I need Underneath the tree, yeah (backing singers) You're here where you should be Snow is falling as the carolers sing It just wasn't the same Alone on Christmas day Presents, what a beautiful sight Don't mean a thing if you ain't holding me tight You're all I need - Underneath the tree Tonight - Hey!

[soft slower tempo] Underneath the tree!

(audience applauds) George: This next song is one of my favorite Christmas songs.

I used to hear it from my favorite singer, Ms. Nana Mouskouri who is a Greek legend and it's one of the most famous French Christmas songs.

So, I hope you enjoy it.

It really is my favorite!

(audience applauds softly) ["Petit Papa Nol", singing in French] It's the beautiful night of Christmas Snow spreads her white coat And with eyes raised to the sky on their knees, Small children Before closing their eyes Offer one last prayer Little father Nol When you descend from the sky With toys by the thousands Please don't forget my little shoe But before you leave You're going to be so cold outside It may also be because of me I long for the day to start To see if you have brought me All the pretty toys I see in my dreams And which I have asked of you Little father Nol When you descend from the sky With toys by the thousands Please don't forget my little shoe The Sandman has passed by Children are going to sleep And you will be able to start With your basket on your back To the sound of the church bells Your distribution of surprises And when you're on your beautiful cloud Please come first to our house I wasn't always on my best behavior But, I'm asking for forgiveness Little father Nol When you descend from the sky With toys by the thousands Please don't forget my little shoe Little father Nol... (audience applauds) [light spirited strings] Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening A beautiful sight We're happy tonight Walking in a winter wonderland Gone away is the bluebird Here to stay is a new bird To sing a love song While we stroll along Walking in a winter wonderland In the meadow we can build a snowman We'll pretend that he is Parson Brown He'll say, are you married?

We'll say, "no, man" But you can do the job when you're in town In the meadow we can build a snowman We'll pretend that he is Parson Brown He'll say, are you married?

We'll say, "no, man" But you can do the job when you're in town Later on, we'll conspire As we dream by the fire To face unafraid The plans that we've made Walking in a winter wonderland Walking in a winter wonderland Walking in a winter wonderland...!

(audience applauds) (soft thoughtful strings) O holy night The stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior's birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall... on your knees O hear... the angel voices O night... divine O night...

when Christ was born O night... divine O night O holy night And in His name all oppression shall cease Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we Let all within us praise His holy name Christ... is the Lord Then ever... praise we Noel Noel O night O night divine Noel Noel!

O night O night divine Noel Noel...!

[music stops] Ooh... ooh holy... night... [soft piano fades] (audience applauds) [elegant string music] [singing in Italian] Hail Mary full of grace Mary full of grace Mary full of grace The Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women Blessed is the fruit of thy womb Thy womb, Jesus Hail Mary (horns/piano) Hail Mary Holy Mary Mary Mother of God Mary Mother of God Pray, pray for us sinners Now and in the hour Now and in the hour of our death Now and in the hour of our death In the hour of our death Hail Mary...

Mary... (light elegant strings) (audience applauds) George: I don't need to tell you the story of this next song, the story of "The Little Drummer Boy", which we're going to sing in French for you, by the way, but I do want to tell you is that through my work with UNICEF, recently becoming a Goodwill Ambassador for them I became a part of a larger family whose sole goal is to protect children's rights and to make sure that they are treated fairly and with security.

So, with this next beautiful song, please do your part to keep children safe.

Especially nowadays.

(marching drum beat) (backing singer vocalizing) [singing in French] On the road pa rum pum pum pum A little drummer walks forth pa rum pum pum pum He feels his heart beating pa rum pum pum pum To the rhythm of his steps pa rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum Oh little child pa rum pum pum pum Where are you going?

Yesterday my father pa rum pum pum pum Followed the drumbeats pa rum pum pum pum The drum of the soldiers pa rum pum pum pum And so I'm on my way to Heaven pa rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum There I want to give for his return My drum All the angels pa rum pum pum pum Have taken their beautiful drums pa rum pum pum pum And have said to the child pa rum pum pum pum Your father has returned pa rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum And the child wakes up pa rum pum pum pum Over his drum Over his drum Over his drum... (music fades) (audience applauds) (bold horns/strings) Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh, hey Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh We're dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh All the fields we go Laughing all the way hey hey hey hey hey Bells on bobtail ring Making spirits bright Oh what fun it is to sing A sleighing song tonight Oh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh, hey Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh [slower tempo] A day or two ago [fast] I thought I'd take a ride [slow] And soon Miss Fanny Bright [fast] Was seated by my side [slow] The horse was lean and lank Misfortune seemed his lot We ran into a drifting bank And then we got upsot "Upsot?"

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh, hey Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh... Dashing through the fields of white On this happy Christmas night Off we go through the snow Bells are ringing, but we're singing Jingle bells, Jingle bells Jing jangle Jingle bells, Jingle bells Jing jangle Jingle bells, Jingle bells Jing jangle Jingle bells, Jingle bells Jing jangle JiJiJiJiJiJiJingle bells JiJiJiJiJiJangle bells JiJiJiJiJi all the way On a one horse open sleigh...!

(audience shouts/applauds) (audience applauds) [audience applauds softly] (louder applause) [soft piano intro] It's... Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Even though the sound of it Is something quite atrocious If you say it loud enough You'll always sound precocious Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Because I was afraid to speak When I was just a lad Me father gave me nose a tweak And told me I was bad But then one day I learned a word That saved me aching nose The biggest word you ever heard And this is how it goes Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious If you say it loud enough you'll always sound precocious Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I He traveled all around the world and everywhere he went He'd use his word and all would say "there goes a clever gent" When dukes of Maharajah pass the time of day with me I say me special word and then they ask me out to tea, woo!

Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious If you say it loud enough you'll always sound precocious Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I George: Now, you can say it backwards which is Dociousaliexpialia- blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!

But that's going a bit too far, don't you think?

Indubitably!

So when the cat has got your tongue There's no need for dismay Just summon up this word and then you've got a lot to say But better use it carefully or it can change your life [music stops] [slow ballad tempo] Supercalifragilistic (piano twinkles) Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh (drum solo) [fast] Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Supercalifragilistic expialidocious Supercalifragilistic expialidocious...!

(audience cheers/applauds) (elegant strings/soft piano) Have yourself a merry little Christmas Let your heart be light From now on our troubles will be out of sight Have yourself a merry little Christmas Make the yuletide gay From now on our troubles will be miles away Here we are as in olden days Happy golden days of yore Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more 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 (light strings/ muted chimes) Here we are as in olden days Happy golden days of yore Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more 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... (piano/strings fade) (audience applauds) George: Little by little we're coming to an end.

We hope you enjoyed our little feast!

We all wish you happy holidays and Merry Christmas!

Thank you for being with us tonight, and remember... Be happy!

It's important!

(audience applauds) It's not the glow you feel When snow appears It's not the Christmas card You've sent for years Not the joyful sound When sleigh bells ring Or the merry songs Children sing The little gift you send On Christmas day Will not bring back the friend You've turned away So may I suggest The secret of Christmas Is not the things you do At Christmas time But the Christmas things you do [music stops] All year through... through... (audience applauds) I don't want a lot for Christmas There's just one thing I need I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas is you...!

(audience claps in time) I don't want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need Don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree I don't need to hang my stocking there upon the fireplace Santa Claus won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas Day I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas is you [bright horns] I won't ask for much this Christmas I won't even wish for snow I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe I won't make a list and send it to the North Pole for Saint Nick I won't even stay awake to hear those magic sleigh bells ring 'Cause I just want you here tonight Holding on to me so tight What more can I do?

All I want for Christmas is you Baby All the lights are shining so brightly everywhere And the sound of children's laughter fills the air - Aw, yeah!

Ooo!

And everyone is singing I hear those sleigh bells ringing Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need?

Won't you please bring my baby to me?

Yeah I don't want a lot for Christmas This is all I'm asking for I just want to see my baby standing right outside my door I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas is you...!

You, you and you and you.

All you is you!

(audience applauds) George: Thank you so much!

Thank you so, so much!

Thank you!

(audience applauds/cheers) (audience applauds) VO: Support for "George Perris: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" comes from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

The Horatio Alger Award has been presented to outstanding Americans who embody the American dream, built on hard work, perseverance and success.

Through them, the Association has awarded scholarships to enable 36,000 youth to pursue their American dream through higher education.