I believe in Father Christmas - Greg Lake - Ian Anderson
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Greg Lake performs his 1975 classic "I Believe in Father Christmas" filmed live at St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, in the City of London with Jethro Tull' s Ian Anderson on flute, David Arch on keyboards, Florian Opahle on acoustic guitar and the church choir.
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It's not Christmas time until I've heard this song.
Agree
This one and Ring Out Solstice Bells by Jethro Tull. Merry Progmas!
With you on that one. 😢
While I enjoyed Ian's flute work with Greg I have to admit that I missed Keith's moog synth outro. It just gave it a "Don't forget this song" kind of vibe!
first Christmas Song I play every year, 23 years running..
Christmas 2024, who's here?
Me
Me, too!
Yes listening and reminiscing
How awesome to go to church and find Greg Lake and Ian Anderson playing!
Me
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull & Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer(ELP) WOW!🤯
Yup, wow!
Wow, indeed!
I'm 64 and this is Christmas from a Better time a better Britain and a better world.
Let's see the joy in our lives today. It's there! We choose to live in gratitude. 🎄
stimmt, viel scheiße gebaut in den letzten 20 Jahren, nicht weiter gekommen, wind of change hat nicht gefruchtet, viele viele chancen vergeigt 🤷♂️🖖
@@l3nny47 Amen to that heartbreaking what has has happened to our once was 🥲💔
I used to sing in a church like that called Florence Henry Memorial Chapel in Seattle Wa in the Highlands. The acoustics were wonderful. Greg bowing at the end is heartbreaking. May he Rest in Peace.
Amen. Let’s hope we get it back. 1960 born here. Think of the world we saw. I feel sorry for the young ones. Many so lost not even knowing what good is. God bless.
I'm 72 yrs old. Still get chills every time I hear this, usually at Christmas time. Brings back such fine memories.
agree 100% - 75 years old
Ditto ! 70 years old...
Same here wowewww
73💜 YES❣️💚
Agree! (73). Saw Lake in ELP 50+ years ago, but I prefer the acoustic Lake!
Can you imagine going to church, and have Greg Lake AND Ian Anderson singing, live, a true masterpiece. If you scroll down to the bottom of the songs lyrics page, you will see that Serge Prokofiev is credited along side Greg Lake and Pete Sinfield, as it should be!
Oh yes please
They just happened to be in the neighborhood....
@@jjzuc 💕
I'd faint.
I think you'd find a lot more people attending that church !
RIP Greg Lake, one of the best ever Christmas songs.
It's a mockery
@ljar302 What a difference actually listening to all the words can make!
(in this song or anything else)
Thanks for the link. I found it very interesting and learned some new things.
Merry Christmas!
@@timspangler2154 whats a mockery?
He is mocking the Christmas story
@@timspangler2154 and you know that for a fact or you are just assuming
I cry when I hear this song. I miss my dad. I miss the innocence of Christmas as a child growing up. RIP Greg Lake. Good times. Peace to all.
Your comment really got to me. Peace and Merry Christmas to you!
Same here mate. . Lovely words. . My Dad went 19.8.19. . Miss him everyday. 😢🎄
Lost my Dad this past June. My first Christmas is 57 years without him. I miss him so much, but I will carry on with his spirit and the spirit of Christmas. I know he would have wanted me to.
@@robhargis6980 stay strong mate, remember all the great times you shared with your Dad. Merry 🎄Christmas
@@robparker2497 You too, Rob! Are you British? I'm American. Love the British people and the seemingly endless talent that came out of your homeland.
I was the one who had eyes full of tinsel and fire as a young lad listening to this song in the 70s sat on the chair next to the family Christmas tree and being hypnotised by the faity lights. I'll never forget this song and the Christmas's i had as a child. Thanks mum and dad. X
Same here 🙂
@@edsa1318and here 😊
Metoo. Thank you Mom and Dad❤
Me too..
This Boomer has a few tears in her eyes. These men were part of the soundtrack for most of my life. Merry Christmas, Ian and Rest in Peace, Greg. Merry Holiday Wishes to Everyone! May we all be a bit kinder to each other in the coming year❤
Amen from this boomer! 👍
Merry Christmas!
Rip Greg Lake. The best.
@ 😄
amen from another boomer... "May we all be a bit kinder to each other in the coming year" a bit has turned into A lot kinder
I am 63 years old and this song is MY all time best Christmas song ever!! An outstanding masterpiece!!
Completely agree here! I'm only a young 54, but this song still gives me chills every Christmas 🎄
Absolutely without a doubt
Every Christmas morning for many years now I listen to the original of this song first then the duo of David Bowie and BIng Crosby singing Drummer Boy....then it's off to the holiday madness.
I love the song too, but...have you heard the lyrics? I don't know if I would call it a "Christmas" song...
This song played on the Christmas musac during the season. It took all I had not to break out in tears.
Jewish person here who loves this song and share this every year with as many ppl as I can.
I don't believe in any good . but have always loved this ❤
I meant to say god
Shalom. It's a wonderful song. I wish there was also a tune like this for Hannukah.
As it should be. We share our joy of Christmas with you; we cheerfully share your joy over the miracle of Hanukkah.
RESPECT. I don't care what your beliefs are. Respect for knowing class.
My Dad’s favourite Christmas song. Means even more since he and Greg passed away.
For real same here Papa it's been 25 years since you left us and Christmas is bittersweet but we get signs of Christmas and the meaning of a gift, thanks for life Papa 💙jim
That's just amazing
Every year I love to hear this great man sing this song, so sad that he left us, one of the best xmas songs ever
Who ever sat in that church on that night truly doesn’t know how lucky they were RIP GREG LAKE
Well said
totally agree
Pretty sure they did
agree 100%
*Sooo True, My Man. I Welled-Up Watching This. Two Mega-Giants Of Our Generation.*
Greg Lake and Ian Anderson and christmas. I am a child again.
Me toooooooooooooooo....
Beautifully said.
Yep - two old rockers - lovely to see
It's Real.
Wonderful feeling !!
My Christmas is never complete until I hear this song one hundred times during the Holidays!
Merry Christmas. From the UK.
Amen
Its on my Christmas listening list, as well
101 times...
I feel the same...
Christmas is not the same since my parents passed away but this version of Greg Lake's song makes me feel better.
I get it...hang in there.
Me too, you’re not alone in that! 💖
I feel your pain because I know EXACTLY how you feel....... And it sucks bud.
"The Christmas you get, you deserve," so true. You look around this world in 2024 and wonder "just what is going on?" It's not like God hasn't been knocking on the door of our hearts - Merry Christmas everyone🎄
Amen.
where have Hope and Kindness and Intelligence gone?
God is knocking we just have to open the door 🙏❤️🇮🇪.
I can’t believe I’ve never seen this performance before now in 2024. The best Christmas song by a mile and played by 2 giants from a bygone era.
ua-cam.com/video/yfY4b1NszpY/v-deo.html
Long before my dad was taken away by MND and my mother by cancer I remember Greg’s masterpiece and as a Tull fan , what a combination-bravo boys!
It is a time of reflection and a smile of gratitude for the memories of our parents.
Most beautifully felt song for honoring God
45 years on and still being listened to in 2020, this version is outstanding.
One of my absolute favorite Christmas songs of all time. RIP Greg Lake and thank you for this song you created! What year did he perform at St. Bride"s?
@@265jf To the best of my knowledge 2012
Credit to the late great Emmo too, for the idea for the Troika passage.
It will always be outstanding, Greg outdid himself with this number.
Greg Lakes voice and Ian's flute, omg...just the best!
My heart's been heavy these last several days then this came up on my feed --- Hearing Greg's perfect voice and Ian playing the flute and my heart was lightened. Thank you seems so insufficient to express my gratitude.
Greg is singing with the angels and a more perfect choir I cannot imagine.
Be blessed all.
Miss Shane too.
I have decided not to listen to news channels,stay off X.Ignore our so called political masters.
I feel so much better,less disillusioned more at peace.
How lovely to see my old school friend Greg ( who I sat next to in class ) singing in church the song he wrote 😀 He always showed great talent !!!!! RIP GREG
Now that's a tale ... Besties !!!!
🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐😮😯😲😳
Awww, that's so cool. And sweet.
Greg was always a good person and helped an old school friend when he most needed it even after he became "a star " !!! But he didn't want it made public knowledge !!!! Thats the sort of person he was !!!!!!❤
This is only my opinion... this is Greg's best song. My favorite Christmas Song. Greg is really missed.
Only in England could you get rock superstars playing in a church. The acoustics are angelic as one would expect in the house of the lord. This is heavenly music with that church choir.
There’s nothing wrong with rock and roll as long as your foot’s on the rock and your name’s on the roll!!
For money they do whatever, also in other countries
@@kepakemapa0568 I am glad you said that.
Wish Led Zeppelin could have done a good cover of this song...Jimmy Page could have played acoustic guitar on this song...but it's the troika from prokofiev that stood out in the song itself.
Imagine the Sex Pistols doing this😁
How beautiful to see and hear 2 Titans of the Prog Rock Era perform this transcendent piece!! Hallelujah! Noel!
Magnificent,!
This reminds of my sons Christmass . Our son is no longer with us. We love you mijo.
I don't know why but this makes me cry like a baby every time I hear it...damn it, Greg Lake !
It is a beautiful song and musical production. Its the 70's in a Christmas song.When life was good and people were free to live as they pleased.
Same here...
Me, too.
Always considered his voice to be strong, powerful, and "authoritative," whatever that means in this context. Definitely unique.
Me too
man, Greg Lake and Ian Anderson, wow. Doesn't get any better. So wonderful
i'm 59 years old and just can't stop listening to that masterpiece. Greg Lake and his beautiful voice, incredible how after many years this song is still out of reach for all the other Christmas songs: outstanding.
59 here also and listening prior to Christmas....just popped up in the noggin.
Ian Anderson makes everything better.
Can't read sheet music, can't play any instrument too well . . . but some people just got it.
@@krollpeter Maybe if you apply yourself, you'll get it too.
@peter g For my money, Ian is the most talented guy that ever graced the world of rock music!
He's a bit of a bugger to work with by all accounts but yes, he is brilliant.
@@muftydog Maybe, but like a great sports coach, he will get the best out of you!!!
How beautiful is this? RIP Greg Lake.
This version is amazing. Greg Lake and Ian Anderson are brilliant and accompanied by talented musicians and a choir. Reminds me so much of happy times as a young un in the 70s.
Who’s listening 2019?
Love the original but this is even better. One of my best friends got married in St Brides but died on his honeymoon, so very mixed emotions, but overall... Beauty and talent.
I am. Lovely and touching song.
i am david.... but taking no notice of you.....ps bet you like westlife take that ed sheeran kylie ...real heavy giants of music.
I am, always loved this song, Greg had so much talent. Great to see the addition of Ian Anderson. This is a must for me during the Holidays.
This song is so thoughtful and meaningful about the bullshit that Christmas has become...I am surprised this church allowed him to sing it...truly an amazing song by an amazing songwriter
Ohhhhhh, why is there a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. This will always be my favourite Christmas song.
The original recording from ELP came out in '74. I was in a very dark place both physically and emotionally. Still at 65 I weep when I hear it, as it literally saved my life.
Bless you!
I do not know you, but I am so glad you are still with us!
The original recording was released by Greg Lake as a solo single in 1975. It was added onto an ELP album a few years later that had their solo works on it.
Amazing.
@@bigmikerocks
Indeed. It was called Works! I had it. Peace.
Can you imagine having that song, sung to you by Greg Lake. What a fantastic feeling. Merry Christmas everyone. X
Merry Christmas to everyone! I'm 63 years old and this song takes me back to years long gone when Santa was REAL and I'd come tearing down the steps to see what he left me on Christmas morning. Then after having children of my own seeing the happiness in their faces when Santa left them gifts at this special time of year!
After all these years, best Xmas song ever !
Okay, I’m a 74 year old guy watching this and I have tears in my eyes!! I this morning on my radio playlists and listen to it all of the time. However with Ian Anderson makes it even more special. P.S. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched this video.
Jethro Tull made a nice Christmas album
53 years old and in floods of tears, I miss my mam so much, this is the best Christmas song ever written.
Some people can sing like Greg Lake, but nobody sounds like him. Exquisite!
In the court of the Christmas King.
I thought I recognised his voice
A merry Frippmas to all and to all to all a silent night's watch.
@@MerkinMuffly ..thank you very muffly .
ha ha
Truer words never spoken.
Two Titans of music playing the most wonderful and beautiful Christmas song .. it's a very human song as opposed to religious but it has that magic about it and that has been proved here by being played in a church. Every other Xmas song is a party song , to be enjoyed in a party atmosphere. This one is different, it oozes class and one could say it has become a contemporary carol. Rest In Peace Mr Lake, together with your musical companion Mr Emerson you both have given me the best years of my life and continue to do so, X
Absolutly true, when I was watching Top Of The Pops back in 1975, & this was played on it, Queen had just got to Number One at the time, it was a Christmas song that was trying to say give us peace & life, because it was the best Christmas song I've ever heard.
Hear hear! Well said!
You forgot the third Titan...Prokofiev 👍
@@mrguillemot yes,... thank you for that!
If you watch the original video you see Christ not Xmas. Hallelu jah means Jehovah or praise Jehovah. They said there would be peace on Earth who did? The clergyman or the government?. Great tune, held in a hypocritical Gothic blood guilty homosexual tolerant building. While the poor are on the streets and these clergy get rich and snuggle up to the elite peadophile system."Too much?".
I grew up on ELP and Jethtro Tull. This was perfection indeed. Thanks for posting :)
God, I have loved this song for decades and I am just hearing this version for the first time .... outstanding!!!
Me too - I’m so embarrassed. I had no idea.
That goes for me to. Followed ELP and Jethro Tull for years this is excellent
So talented! So sad he's gone
Was played at my dear uncle’s funeral in 2022❤
Happy holidays! Love this song by Greg lake! Ian makes it even better!!! My husband’s favorite Xmas song! Hope he’s listening in Heaven!!!
Hands down the best Christmas song ever
Why does this song bring a tear to my eyes every time I hear it? R.I.P. Greg Lake.
RIP Greg Lake. Your resonate voice brings back wonderful memories of ELP and the great work you wrote over the hears.
Beautiful rendition os one of my All Time Top Ten Christmas tunes. I like how Ian was resisting the urge to lift his leg towards the end. I was thinking, " He's gonna do it, he's gonna do it....nope, wouldn't be right without the tights.
That was wonderful, my favourite Christmas song👏👏👏👏
My fave Christmas CAROL! 👍
Such a beautiful song, RIP Greg who we lost 4 years ago this week.
Beautiful playing by Ian Anderson!!
This is a timeless Christmas classic. One of the best Christmas songs ever recorded. Thank you Greg Lake and RIP!
How can a song that flatly rejects the gospel of Christ be one of the best Christ-mas songs ever pray tell?
We bow our heads to Greg Lake today in the news of his passing.
breaks me apart.
CRUSHING
It was tough with Keith passing. But this is a very, very tough blow. I am in mourning.
Til i believed in the Israelite!
its so sad! but i have to say thanx for all that incredible music he and ELP did to me! i bow my head and my mind!
This version should be released as a single NOW ! !
It's excellent, the flute really does something for it.
They should re release it now. Maybe it will get people to pay attention to what is important and inspire to create real music again
sandy winfield I totally agree with you. Such beautiful music. Genius.
At the very least, Mike, I believe it should be included once in a while on a good radio station. If such a thing exists.
@@granddad-mv5ef
I don't believe that exists anymore except on UA-cam.
Absolutely beautiful.
In 36 years as a church music director, I've never come close to doing something this brilliant. Profound in its simplicity, and a message for the ages. RIP, Mr. Lake. You were one of the great ones.
That's a fantastic and humble tribute.
Agreed. It's a beautiful mix of a wonderful song with profound lyrics, mixed with the majesty of choral music and Ian Anderson's flute.
Has to be the best Christmas song ever but doesn’t seem to get the recognition it deserves.
Ian Anderson of jethro tull is one brilliant flutest. Never seen him do this with Greg Lake always been my favourite Christmas song.
IAN ANDERSON TOOK UP FLUTE BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE WOULD NEVER BE GOOD ON GUITAR.
👍
@@ronniewall1481 👍
Flautist
@@theresaakins2317 👍
RIP Greg Lake...
This is my favorite Christmas song.
Mine as well.
Actually two in one...
Oh I so agree, I post it every year and will keep doing so until I am no longer able to. Bless you.
Yes mine to the very first line gets you
Also my favorite Christmas song
Greg Lake's voice is still magical! Well done gents.
Wow, the acoustics in this church are phenomenal...
Iv'e had this song, in this version, in my favorites since it first came out. I always loved ELP. Has anyone ever noticed the shirt Greg is wearing under his white suit jacket? Stop at 2:12 and you tell me. Miss you Greg and always will. End of a era.
absolutely fantastic, what a dream to be there
Yes, kudos to St. Bride's from bringing this song into the church and giving it to the people. Brave deeds should always be noted. Peace on earth seems very unlikely anytime soon after watching for 67 years the deeds on earth. The Christmas we get, you deserve indeed! Beautiful secular song sung from the heart, thanks to all that made this happen at St. Bride's.
This is another huge loss after the death of Keith Emerson now Greg Lake. I was listening to this song the other day and I got all choked up as I hung my ELP Christmas ornament on my Christmas tree to honor their musical legacy. This song will be on my Christmas playlist in memory of Greg and Keith. Thank you for a classic Christmas song and for the many great years you have given us with your music in ELP. Rest in Peace.
Jennifer, ditto to everything you said..I listen to this beautiful masterpiece everyday at Christmastime. Absolutely breathtaking! And added bonus to have Ian playing flute!!!
Jennifer Felan 🎅❤
I saw ELP twice. The second time it was in early December and Greg sang this song and it was amazingly beautiful, standing O.
I am on www.freakradio.org every Tue night at 7PM you might tune in I do . do my best magic there merlin
Watching this 3 years after your comment. This sing is so perfect and beautiful it almost brings a tear to my eye.
RIP Greg, and thank you for leaving the world a beautiful song.
Christmas doesn't feel like Christmas until I've heard this beautiful song.
there will never be another one like you!
absolutely stunning performance and song sung so beautifully by greg lake. Fell in love with this the first time I saw it.
That incredible voice, sorely missed RIP Greg❤
Can't imagine Christmas without this classic song. RIP Greg ❤
Imagine going to Christmas Eve or Christmas morning mass and this happens - unreal
This is just a tremendous arrangement. Makes me want to go to church.
Imagine going to midnight Mass and there's Greg Lake. Yeah! God is great
Merry Christmas 2024!!!!
December 1 2019 I'm listening.
Dec 24 2019 I'm listening too!!!😀😀😀
John Bettano
Diciembre 25 2019!!
2020 I’m listening 💖
Very hard to believe we lost both Keith & Greg in the same year. Im just gutted over this. Rest In Peace.......
Isn't that terrible.. our idols are leaving us before their time...
Yes it is. Poor Greg didn't even see 70 years old.
didn't even reach to be seventy years old.
This is absolutely wonderful and just what I need today, Christmas Eve 2024 in Japan.
Thank you and Happy Christmas!
Two rock icons making heavenly music together. This gave me chills. I love Ian's phenomenal interpretive and melodic flute improvisations. This is one Mass I wish I could have attended! RIP Greg Lake
you must be musician hahaha
Peter sinfield talking about writing this song, at this time the Vietnam war was so in his mind ... See BBC sounds, soul music, Peter sinfield
Praise God for his mercy endures forever
No words can describe my joy listening to this song.
Blimey. So here we are in church and these two turn up and. Brilliant!
i think "BLIMEY" is one of the all time greatest words in the English language. :)
@@BrianNewberry Cor!
@@Itelkner BLESS YOUR HEART GOOD SIR! as a yank with scots mum, I've always wondered (for decades) what that first part was, and never knew how to spell it.
As an American - i never knew exactly what you (pl) were saying. (Side note - isn't it a pity we English speakers don't have a "You Plural").
I never knew if it was "KOL" or "CORE" or whatever.
LOL - even just here (before mentally connecting the two words) - when you said "COR" LOL - i thought it was some norwegian expression. So i looked up COR"0 on Google.
and it says "exclamation INFORMAL•BRITISH".
and finally - i put the two words together ("COR" + "BLIMEY") , and thought "AHHHHHHH! Now I get it!"
:-)
@@Itelkner by the way - if you enjoy AUDIO DRAMAs - i make my own based on classic TV detective shows.
If this interests you (& it's OK if it doesn't) then i humbly invite you to come visit my UA-cam page. :)
@@BrianNewberry Hey there! I'm a Yank with a Scot dad (Campbell). Since discovering the Beatles as a young kid, I've been an Anglophile with an ear for Brit expressions and a love of Brit tv exports starting with Python.
If I recall 'Cor Blimey' is colloquial for 'God, blind me' - an exclamation. A more blasphemous version of "dear me!"
Still the most beautiful Christmas song ever, with a superb singer and Mr Tull on flute, brilliant.
Today it is three years ago, that Greg Lake has gone. His music will last. Yesterday my school band kids (aged 11-12) performed "Lucky man".
The same age Greg was when he wrote it. Amazing.
His voice was like the one of an angel.
Man, what a voice! I loved them both when I was a teenager. Now looking back I miss the talent, seems there isn't talent like that anymore.
This song gives me chills!
Rip Greg. You'll live forever in your beautiful music.
Love the song just a beautiful setting
I have been looking for this song for years. I first heard it on a local radio station that was doing their 24 hours of Christmas songs. I have never been able to find the song until today. Absolutely gorgeous.
This is the most British of all Christmas Carols ever written!
The original is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most uplifting and thought provoking Christmas song ever. Thanks to Greg Lake for bringing it to us. He's now gone in body but here in spirit. Thanks be to Greg and friends in bringing this to a church not so long ago.
Well said. Merry Christmas 😊
100% agree.. 🌲
@@edwardkaminsky6314 And you Sir!
Thank you Greg Lake for this wonderful song and rendition. May you rest in peace.
Incredible, shivers down the spine time. Greg Lake, sadly no longer with us but he left some great music that will live on.
Greg had/has the most amazing recognizable voice! ever
Agree 100%.
Yessssssss. By the way....who was Sinatra, Elvis, Mercury, Caruso, Pavarotti, etc? Nat King Cole was also very good, I must say, but Greg's voice was the Holly Grail!
Just beautiful! Someone in my FB group mentioned this being their favorite Christmas song! I hadn't heard any of this wonderful music, songs in so long!💞
Best Christmas song ever.
Goodbye, Greg Lake. Thank you for the music.
RIP Greg. Thank you for one of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever. So sad.
Barry Cracknell the best Xmas song ever.
it really is up there