Cherish the Ladies & Don Stiffe, The Christmas Letter

A song from the late 1800's from Cherish the Ladies latest Christmas album, "Christmas In Ireland", featuring Don Stiffe on lead vocals. It tells the sad story of forced immigration due to starvation and unemployment and a mother's broken heart lamenting over the loneliness of a Christmas morning knowing that her family is forever torn apart and the only contact she'll ever have is the letters that arrive for Christmas.

[@kevinboyle3927]

After watching(listening) 'The Christmas Letter', I top it off with 'I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day'......... Absolutely Wonderful!!

[@annemegan9721]

Always makes me cry. I think about my grandparents leaving their parents, never to see them ever again. I can't even imagine never seeing my son ever again. So, heartbreaking.

[@irishfield1]

So beautiful singing and amazing song ever Don with Cherish The Ladies so amazing video also thank you all Happy Holidays

[@gailcane7424]

Heard him sing this at a Cherish the Ladies Christmas concert...moved me to tears...his voice is incredible but the emotions that come out of it is not like no other ☘️💚🎶

[@irishfield1]

Amazing voice and singing ever Don with Cherish The Ladies exquisite song so much thank you

[@daveeol1987]

Balling tears listening to this at Christmas special this year. A beautiful song with beautiful lyrics sung with so much heart. I'll keep this song with me for the rest of my life

[@eileennestor9274]

Touches the heart & everyone that had to emigrated...reminds me how heartbroken my Mother was when all 18 of us went away. GOD BLESS AMERICA IT WAS GOOD TO EVERYONE

[@bobpegritz555]

Don pulled every drop of emotion out of that song which will surely bring leaks to the eyes of everyone who has a relative that is far away this Christmas. And of course, the Ladies were perfect.

[@sentimentaloldme]

Excellent performance, arrangement & singing from Cherish The Ladies and vocalist Don Stiffe..Go hiontach ar fad 🥀

[@maryphillips1547]

Fab song. What a singer. Fabulous

[@eileennestor9274]

Don Stiffe.. No one could do it better WOW it grips your heart

[@paulabhagyam]

Such a special song - no words for how much I love this!

[@williammiller2379]

Took my Mother to see them for the first time An incredible show such talent Don is chilling

[@pathogan5598]

Darn, I have a tear falling into my Guinness.

[@wayneprince243]

I saw Don and Cherish the Ladies for a solid week on a cruise. Each and every one are GEMS! Joanie Madden has more personality than any living person!

[@mariemorris7031]

guess I should just let myself cry.......extremely soulful.....thank the Lord...

[@maryharris5624]

So touching. Memories of my Grandparents and how they cried when we left their home to return to Scotland after our holidays. God rest their souls.

[@edhagan9927]

He is called "The Mighty" Don Stiffe for a reason. When you add his talent to that of Cherish The Ladies, the results are magical and powerful. Thank you all for this brilliant song.

[@cherishtheladiesofficial]

thank you Ed!

[@stevesewall]

What a voice!!!!!

[@corribfisher]

Thanks Ed, its fantastic working with the women in this great band...

[@rinceseit]

Such a beautiful song! I played it on my radio show last week, listened to it again in my car today and shared it on facebook.

[@brianmcglynn9314]

the only thing I can say is wow. So beautiful, takes you away for a few minutes

[@irishfield1]

So gorgeous singing and song Don and Cherish The Ladies this so beautiful song ever all thank you

[@edelahaye]

What a wonderful voice !

[@sheliamac2]

Beautiful song and singer! Keep it up Donn!

[@fissta1]

Sheer class from Don, Joanie & CTL what a recording to cherish. Maith thù Don.

[@bellajackable]

Absolutely beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful words and so true x

[@mariemorris7031]

thanks for the whistle ...brings relief from sadness.....

[@blueskyeyes315]

So hauntingly beautiful - and heartbreaking. Brings tears to my eyes.

[@vernonbridgewater1172]

No matter how may times i hear don. I think. Wow. Wished i had a voice like his. Love your music

[@cathycondon7020]

Beautiful and haunting !!! Well done Don.

[@irishfield1]

So gorgeous singing and song ever Don this gorgeous ever with Cherish The Ladies amazing so Grand ever thank you all

[@eileennestor9274]

what a voice what a song..WOW

[@royfulton2848]

Wonderful !!

[@jimsavage1396]

Absolutely superb from start to finish.

[@iIrishnewsmagazine]

God that is beautiful, well done Don, Joane and Cherish ladies

[@lisahartman1205]

Very Beautiful Great singing great everything Love all of you

[@karenwood1364]

Weepin away here x its nowhere near Christmas. First time i,ve heard it. .brilliant.

[@ronramsey7499]

Beautiful & touching -- gave me a sad little chill as I listened to it (& hit repeat to hear it again).

[@miketalty8617]

Beautiful Don Ollie Conway sang this at my fathers grave God rest them both

[@lisamezik3523]

Beautiful!

[@georgepollastri7701]

I miss my family over the sea, Lucky I at least have my wife, daughter & lovely cats 3

[@BonnieSauter]

Who could not love this? Ten people are crazy, or jealous, or both.

[@JuanCarlosDelgadoMusica]

Beautiful theme with sad lyrics, a reflection of dark and sad times. It has reached me inside. Thanks and congratulations.🙏🎹🎵🍀

[@johndowling9379]

Heartrending. The fate of thousands of Irish families in the 19th century.🤐🤐🤐🤐

[@ShyMoonheart]

So beautiful, Joan. Have a lovely tour and stay safe in Japan. God bless.

[@mariemorris7031]

Angels ..... having a "field day"....................love 4.26 especially and Don's accent.......

[@MrDannicki]

Fantastic.

[@paulabhagyam]

So beautiful! So full of emotions!

[@eileennestor9274]

Don just fits the song has that special voice filled with emotion..Love it

[@alkodjdjd]

This is SO pretty!!!

[@victoriajohnston1408]

Beautiful ♥️

[@paulanderson8143]

Very nice...

[@minoguee]

LOVELY

[@mariemorris7031]

ought ohhhh I' m getting ready to cry...................

[@mariemorris7031]

Angels............................Thank you....

[@GomuNoPistol]

Lyrics:(closest I could find) Not far from Miltown Malbay if you travel south a small way, To a place called Bonavilla in the pleasant County Clare. Where there lived a widow lonely with her one daughter only, Who stayed at home to care her while the rest were gone away. Now this poor old woman weeping and her daughter she was sleeping, Wearied from her toils, 'twas the eve of Christmas day. They got letters, they got money, they felt lonely somehow funny, And to her sleeping daughter these words she then did say: “Oh then Kate a-stór, you’re sleeping while my eyes are ever weeping, Weeping for those little ones that’s gone so far away. Won’t you read again that letter, somehow it makes me better, Each time I hear the news of them that’s in Amerikay. Oh the kitchen here was full of them and one by one the lot of them, Sailed out across that great big sea to that land so far away. And now each little motion on the wide and fretful ocean, Falls heavy on the mother’s heart this blessed Christmas Day. 'Tis well I do remember the bleak day in December, When the neighbors laid your father in his narrow bed of clay. Then I prayed God would be taken, [I prayed to God to take me], For my heart was well near breaking, Myself and all those little ones that Blessed Christmas Day. But the yellow waves were shining with their creamy deep grey lining, And they stole the children of my heart to that land so far away. First went Dick and Nelly, then little blue-eyed Willie, Oh ‘tis far ye’re from a mother’s care this Blessed Christmas Day. Next went brown haired Mary herself and Tommy Carey, Slipped down across to Father Pat before they sailed away. It was the lucky marriage, for she’s rolling in her carriage, Around the streets of Broadway this Blessed Christmas Day. And that little wild lad Davy, with the flaxy hair so wavy, He’s singing Irish songs for them tonight in old Broadway. If I was only near him, to hear the big crowds cheer him, ‘Tis a mother’s heart would swell with pride that Blessed Christmas Day. Now what’s the use in talking, Seánín was hardly walking, When I saw him climb upon the cliff and look across the bay. My bitter tears were falling, sure I knew this day was calling, The only tree around [treasure of] my heart that Blessed Christmas Day. But the yellow waves are shining and mo bhrón ‘tis I am pining, To sail upon the top o’ them to that land so far away. Won’t you read again that letter, somehow it makes me better, Each time I hear the news of them that’s in Amerikay. (Might be slightly different. Found these lyrics from a different version) Blessed Christmas Day (Roud 5220) Martin Junior Crehan Bonavilla, Mullagh Recorded 1987 Carroll Mackenzie Collection

[@illiabondarchuk1995]

Thank You so much!

[@ac6542]

Has anyone got the lyrics and chords. This is amazing. Reaches into your soul.

[@stevesewall]

At 6:08 his solo verse is followed by the most heavenly chorus.......................................................................

[@bagboy1942]

💙💙💙

[@ed98027]

I really love your musics! Please make them available on Google Play.

[@sarahcorrigan3601]

Cherish Ladies & Dan Stiffe, The Christmas Letter

[@HappyShinyPeople]

Does anyone have the lyrics?

[@63jmjk]

Where can I find the lyrics?

[@deurdicht]

Is there someone who has the lyrics of this beautiful song?

[@PaddyTubeYouSki]

Lyrics?

[@theslin5243]

how and where can i get tickets?

[@dannyboy5517]

look out for the festivals in the County Clare they often play at those fests