Just as holiday celebrations are winding down in the west, New Year and Christmas celebrations are ramping up in Armenia. Most Armenian Christians (Armenian Apostolic Church) follow the Julian calendar and Christmas is celebrated on January 6.
During the week between New Year’s and Christmas, most Armenian homes have an “open door” policy: “Ari im toon,” or “Come on to our house” is an invitation extended to anyone and everyone. Welcoming family, friends and neighbors into one’s home and filling their bellies with delicious food, is a tradition that has been honored for generations.
So it’s no surprise that food is a big part of the deal and the seasonal table for Armenians overflows with generosity: dried and fresh fruits, nuts and seeds, cheese, fish (meats are not eaten on Christmas), and Armenian pastries like gata and pakhlava. It is common to see prices soar on precious supplies as the holiday draws year. This year many newspapers even reported shortages in eggs.
So Come on a My House, as Rosemary Clooney (yes, George Clooney’s aunt) sings it. Enjoy the goodness of the season: family, friendship and food.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyCNNrc8F_s?fs=1]
Come on-a my house my house,
I´m gonna give you candy
Come on-a my house, my house,
I´m gonna give a you apple a plum and apricot-a too eh
Come on-a my house, my house ,
I´m gonna give a you figs and dates and grapes and cakes eh
Come on-a my house my house,
I´m gonna give you Christmas tree
Come on-a my house, my house,
I´m gonna give you marriage ring and a pomegranate too ah
Come on-a my house, my house,
I´m gonna give you everything – everything – everything
Shnorhavor Nor Tari…Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Note: The 1951 hit song, Come on a My House, was written by two Armenian-Americans, Ross Bagdasarian (who later created Alvin and the Chipmunks under his stage name, David Seville) and his cousin, the author William Saroyan. It was Saroyan’s sole popular songwriting venture for an off-Broadway musical titled The Son. Rosemary Clooney very reluctantly recorded it and, ironically, it became one of her biggest hits.
Want more deliciousness to sing about? Check out Wanderfood Wednesday!