English subtitles for clip: File:First Family Attends The Christmas Tree Lighting - 2016.webm
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1 00:00:00,767 --> 00:00:03,607 (music playing) 2 00:00:10,577 --> 00:00:13,677 The President: Hello, everybody. 3 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:19,390 Happy holidays to all of you. 4 00:00:19,386 --> 00:00:23,056 Eva Longoria, thank you for the wonderful hosting. 5 00:00:23,056 --> 00:00:25,326 Kelly Clarkson, we love. 6 00:00:25,325 --> 00:00:27,465 To everybody who is here tonight and everybody 7 00:00:27,460 --> 00:00:31,660 watching at home, it is now officially the time to light 8 00:00:31,664 --> 00:00:33,264 this tree. 9 00:00:33,266 --> 00:00:36,136 (applause) 10 00:00:36,136 --> 00:00:38,806 The President: Are you guys ready to countdown? 11 00:00:38,805 --> 00:00:42,875 We're going to start from five, you ready? 12 00:00:42,876 --> 00:00:44,676 You sure? 13 00:00:44,677 --> 00:00:46,477 Okay let's go. 14 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:52,419 Multiple Speakers: Five, four, three, two, one! 15 00:00:52,419 --> 00:00:55,259 (applause) 16 00:00:55,255 --> 00:00:56,325 The President: Merry Christmas, everybody! 17 00:00:56,322 --> 00:00:58,792 (music playing) 18 00:01:19,379 --> 00:01:21,419 Mrs. Obama: Hi, everybody. 19 00:01:21,414 --> 00:01:24,384 Merry Christmas, are we ready? 20 00:01:24,384 --> 00:01:26,824 Simone, you ready? 21 00:01:26,820 --> 00:01:27,920 Simone Manuel: I'm very ready. 22 00:01:27,921 --> 00:01:29,291 Mrs. Obama: Thanks for reading with me. 23 00:01:29,289 --> 00:01:30,319 Are you guys ready? 24 00:01:30,323 --> 00:01:31,153 Multiple Speakers: Yeah. 25 00:01:31,157 --> 00:01:32,857 Mrs. Obama: Alright, here we go. 26 00:01:32,859 --> 00:01:36,099 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through 27 00:01:36,095 --> 00:01:39,435 the house not a creature a creature was stirring, not 28 00:01:39,432 --> 00:01:41,932 even a mouse. 29 00:01:41,935 --> 00:01:44,575 Simone Manuel: The stockings were hung by the chimney 30 00:01:44,571 --> 00:01:47,771 with care in hopes the St. Nicholas soon would 31 00:01:47,774 --> 00:01:49,714 be there. 32 00:01:49,709 --> 00:01:51,709 Mrs. Obama: The children were nestled all snug in 33 00:01:51,711 --> 00:01:56,421 their beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their head. 34 00:01:56,416 --> 00:02:00,686 And mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap had just 35 00:02:00,687 --> 00:02:04,887 settled down for a long winter's nap. 36 00:02:04,891 --> 00:02:06,591 Simone Manuel: When out on the lawn there rose 37 00:02:06,593 --> 00:02:08,123 such a clatter. 38 00:02:08,127 --> 00:02:11,627 I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. 39 00:02:11,631 --> 00:02:14,771 Mrs. Obama: Away to the window, I flew like a flash. 40 00:02:14,767 --> 00:02:18,007 Tore up the shudders and threw up the sash. 41 00:02:18,004 --> 00:02:21,844 The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave a 42 00:02:21,841 --> 00:02:25,811 luster of midday to objects below. 43 00:02:25,812 --> 00:02:29,212 Simone Manuel: When what to my wondering eyes should 44 00:02:29,215 --> 00:02:32,615 appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. 45 00:02:32,619 --> 00:02:34,689 Mrs. Obama: With a little old driver so lively and 46 00:02:34,687 --> 00:02:40,627 quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. 47 00:02:40,627 --> 00:02:43,197 Simone Manuel: More rapid than eagles, his corsers 48 00:02:43,196 --> 00:02:46,666 they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them 49 00:02:46,666 --> 00:02:48,106 by name. 50 00:02:48,101 --> 00:02:51,441 Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixon. 51 00:02:51,437 --> 00:02:55,337 On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder, and Blitzen. 52 00:02:55,341 --> 00:02:58,041 Mrs. Obama: To the top of the porch, to the top 53 00:02:58,044 --> 00:02:59,074 of the wall. 54 00:02:59,078 --> 00:03:03,048 Now, dash away, dash away, dash away, all. 55 00:03:03,049 --> 00:03:06,489 As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly when they 56 00:03:06,486 --> 00:03:10,226 meet with an obstacle mount to the sky. 57 00:03:10,223 --> 00:03:14,193 Simone Manuel: So, up to the housetop the corsers they flew. 58 00:03:14,193 --> 00:03:17,563 With sleigh full of toys and St Nicholas, too. 59 00:03:17,564 --> 00:03:19,534 Mrs. Obama: And then in a twinkling, I heard on the 60 00:03:19,532 --> 00:03:23,972 roof the prancing and pawing of eight little hoof. 61 00:03:23,970 --> 00:03:27,370 As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the 62 00:03:27,373 --> 00:03:31,173 chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. 63 00:03:31,177 --> 00:03:33,677 Simone Manuel: He was dressed all in fur from his 64 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,520 head to his foot, and his clothes were tarnished with 65 00:03:36,516 --> 00:03:38,186 ashes and soot. 66 00:03:38,184 --> 00:03:40,954 Mrs. Obama: A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, 67 00:03:40,954 --> 00:03:44,594 and he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. 68 00:03:44,591 --> 00:03:49,161 His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimple how merry. 69 00:03:49,162 --> 00:03:53,532 His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. 70 00:03:53,533 --> 00:03:56,533 Simone Manuel: His draw little mouth was drawn up 71 00:03:56,536 --> 00:03:59,776 like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white 72 00:03:59,772 --> 00:04:01,442 as the snow. 73 00:04:01,441 --> 00:04:03,411 Mrs. Obama: The stump of a pipe he held tight in his 74 00:04:03,409 --> 00:04:06,349 teeth, and the smoke, it encircled his head 75 00:04:06,346 --> 00:04:08,116 like a wreath. 76 00:04:08,114 --> 00:04:10,584 Simone Manuel: He had a broad face and a little 77 00:04:10,583 --> 00:04:13,483 round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowel full 78 00:04:13,486 --> 00:04:14,986 of jelly. 79 00:04:14,988 --> 00:04:19,358 He was chubby and plump, a ripe jolly old self. 80 00:04:19,359 --> 00:04:23,259 When I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself. 81 00:04:23,262 --> 00:04:25,602 Mrs. Obama: A wink of his eye and a twist of his head 82 00:04:25,598 --> 00:04:29,038 soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. 83 00:04:29,035 --> 00:04:31,535 Simone Manuel: He spoke not a word, but went straight to 84 00:04:31,537 --> 00:04:35,037 his work and filled all the stockings, then turned with 85 00:04:35,041 --> 00:04:36,111 a jerk. 86 00:04:36,109 --> 00:04:40,109 And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a 87 00:04:40,113 --> 00:04:43,083 nod, up the chimney he rose. 88 00:04:43,082 --> 00:04:45,322 Mrs. Obama: He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a 89 00:04:45,318 --> 00:04:47,388 whistle and away they all flew. 90 00:04:47,387 --> 00:04:49,927 Like the down of a thistle. 91 00:04:49,922 --> 00:04:54,192 Simone Manuel: But I heard him exclaim as he drove out 92 00:04:54,193 --> 00:04:55,333 of sight - 93 00:04:55,328 --> 00:04:57,098 Michelle Obama and Simone Manuel: Merry Christmas to 94 00:04:57,096 --> 00:05:01,166 all, and to all a good night. 95 00:05:01,167 --> 00:05:05,437 (applause) 96 00:05:05,438 --> 00:05:06,138 Mrs. Obama: Great job. 97 00:05:06,139 --> 00:05:08,779 (applause) 98 00:05:13,212 --> 00:05:15,112 The President: Well, thank you Dylan for that 99 00:05:15,114 --> 00:05:20,084 introduction and for all that you do for our parks 100 00:05:20,086 --> 00:05:21,526 down in Texas. 101 00:05:21,521 --> 00:05:24,991 I also want to thank Reverend Haggins for her 102 00:05:24,991 --> 00:05:30,161 beautiful invocation, and as we continue to celebrate the 103 00:05:30,163 --> 00:05:34,363 centennial of our national parks, I want to recognize 104 00:05:34,367 --> 00:05:38,707 our tremendous Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell. 105 00:05:38,705 --> 00:05:42,105 (applause) 106 00:05:42,108 --> 00:05:47,248 Our National Parks Service Director, Jonathan Jarvis. 107 00:05:47,246 --> 00:05:50,046 And all the rangers and staff from the Park Service 108 00:05:50,049 --> 00:05:53,619 and the National Park Foundation, here's to 109 00:05:53,619 --> 00:05:54,919 another 100 years. 110 00:05:54,921 --> 00:05:58,761 (applause) 111 00:05:58,758 --> 00:06:02,728 Let's give it up for Eva Longoria and the 112 00:06:02,729 --> 00:06:08,469 star-studded group we have here performing tonight. 113 00:06:08,468 --> 00:06:12,738 Gold Medalist, Simone Manuel. 114 00:06:12,739 --> 00:06:17,849 Kelly Clarkson, Yolanda Adams, Garth Brooks and 115 00:06:17,844 --> 00:06:24,314 Tricia Yearwood, Chance the Rapper, the Lumineers, Marc 116 00:06:24,317 --> 00:06:30,687 Anthony, James and Kim Taylor. 117 00:06:30,690 --> 00:06:33,530 It's like a Christmas edition of Lollapalooza. 118 00:06:33,526 --> 00:06:35,826 (laughter) 119 00:06:35,828 --> 00:06:39,798 And this is just another example of why the holidays 120 00:06:39,799 --> 00:06:43,439 here at the White House are so special. 121 00:06:43,436 --> 00:06:45,706 Last week, I pardoned a turkey. 122 00:06:45,705 --> 00:06:47,775 (laughter) 123 00:06:47,774 --> 00:06:52,814 Tonight, we're lighting the National Christmas Tree. 124 00:06:52,812 --> 00:06:56,552 This one is easier because a tree does not move. 125 00:06:56,549 --> 00:06:57,179 It does not gobble. 126 00:06:57,183 --> 00:06:58,723 (laughter\} 127 00:06:58,718 --> 00:07:02,258 You just push a button, and it's electrified. 128 00:07:02,255 --> 00:07:04,725 Which is exactly what you don't want to have happen at 129 00:07:04,724 --> 00:07:05,454 a turkey pardon. 130 00:07:05,458 --> 00:07:08,158 (laughter) 131 00:07:08,161 --> 00:07:11,461 I thought that was funny, Michelle. 132 00:07:11,464 --> 00:07:14,364 (laughter) 133 00:07:14,367 --> 00:07:17,467 Thankfully, both events have gone off without a hitch. 134 00:07:17,470 --> 00:07:21,510 Along with celebrations like these, the holidays also 135 00:07:21,507 --> 00:07:26,647 offer us a time for reflection and perspective. 136 00:07:26,646 --> 00:07:28,946 And over these next few weeks, as we celebrate the 137 00:07:28,948 --> 00:07:33,718 birth of our Savior, as we retell the story of weary 138 00:07:33,719 --> 00:07:41,359 travelers, a star, shepherds, magi, I hope that 139 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:46,570 we also focus ourselves on the message that this child 140 00:07:46,566 --> 00:07:51,366 brought to this earth some 2000 years ago. 141 00:07:51,370 --> 00:07:54,970 A message that says we have to be our brothers' keepers, 142 00:07:54,974 --> 00:07:56,574 our sisters' keepers. 143 00:07:56,576 --> 00:07:59,116 That we have to reach out to each other. 144 00:07:59,111 --> 00:08:00,651 To forgive each other. 145 00:08:00,646 --> 00:08:04,986 To let the light of our good deeds shine for all. 146 00:08:04,984 --> 00:08:10,194 To care for the sick and the hungry, and the downtrodden. 147 00:08:10,189 --> 00:08:15,299 And, of course, to love one another -- even our enemies. 148 00:08:15,294 --> 00:08:18,764 And treat one another the way we would want to be 149 00:08:18,764 --> 00:08:20,864 treated ourselves. 150 00:08:20,867 --> 00:08:24,037 It's a message that grounds not just my family's 151 00:08:24,036 --> 00:08:29,606 Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, Muslim 152 00:08:29,609 --> 00:08:35,049 Americans, non-believers, Americans of all backgrounds. 153 00:08:35,047 --> 00:08:38,947 It's a message of unity and a message of decency, and a 154 00:08:38,951 --> 00:08:43,051 message of hope that never goes out of style. 155 00:08:43,055 --> 00:08:49,065 It's one that we all need very much today. 156 00:08:49,061 --> 00:08:52,561 After eight years as your President, I still believe -- 157 00:08:52,565 --> 00:08:54,465 (applause) 158 00:08:54,467 --> 00:08:58,767 -- that there's so much more that unites us than divides us. 159 00:08:58,771 --> 00:09:02,671 I've seen it in parents from every corner in this 160 00:09:02,675 --> 00:09:05,745 country, just trying to give their kids a better shot. 161 00:09:05,745 --> 00:09:08,485 I've seen it in communities that come together and find 162 00:09:08,481 --> 00:09:11,421 common ground, even in times of trial and times 163 00:09:11,417 --> 00:09:13,887 of tragedy. 164 00:09:13,886 --> 00:09:17,556 We see it in immigrants and refugees striving for the 165 00:09:17,556 --> 00:09:21,396 most American of ideals, to better ourselves 166 00:09:21,394 --> 00:09:23,034 and families. 167 00:09:23,029 --> 00:09:26,129 We see it in our troops who serve far from home during 168 00:09:26,132 --> 00:09:27,702 this holiday season. 169 00:09:27,700 --> 00:09:31,700 These outstanding men and women who go into harm's way 170 00:09:31,704 --> 00:09:34,044 to protect the nation that we love and the freedoms 171 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,740 that we hold dear. 172 00:09:36,742 --> 00:09:39,812 The freedom to vote and speak out, and practice our 173 00:09:39,812 --> 00:09:42,252 faiths as we choose. 174 00:09:42,248 --> 00:09:45,048 The freedom to chart our own course as citizens and 175 00:09:45,051 --> 00:09:47,351 as a nation. 176 00:09:47,353 --> 00:09:50,953 That is the America that I've seen as we come back 177 00:09:50,957 --> 00:09:53,297 from the depths of an economic crisis to an 178 00:09:53,292 --> 00:09:54,932 economy on the move. 179 00:09:54,927 --> 00:10:02,267 As we've recovered from wars and natural tragedies. 180 00:10:02,268 --> 00:10:06,238 What I've seen is a big-hearted and hopeful, and 181 00:10:06,238 --> 00:10:09,638 resilient people who look out for each other and who 182 00:10:09,642 --> 00:10:12,412 have each other's backs. 183 00:10:12,411 --> 00:10:17,551 And who find strength in our differences, and who keep 184 00:10:17,550 --> 00:10:20,820 moving forward knowing that we're all in this together. 185 00:10:20,820 --> 00:10:23,590 Those are our values, that is who we are, that's who we 186 00:10:23,589 --> 00:10:28,359 will always be, and this is the 94th time that Americans 187 00:10:28,361 --> 00:10:33,301 have gathered to light out National Tree. 188 00:10:33,299 --> 00:10:36,039 It's the eighth and final time for our family. 189 00:10:36,035 --> 00:10:38,805 Before we leave tonight, I just want to express what an 190 00:10:38,804 --> 00:10:41,874 incredible honor it has been to serve this nation. 191 00:10:41,874 --> 00:10:43,814 (applause) 192 00:10:43,809 --> 00:10:48,079 And to feel its warmth, and to feel its generosity, and 193 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:54,090 how our family has been awed by America's goodness. 194 00:10:54,086 --> 00:10:57,356 And, most of all, it has been so special to share 195 00:10:57,356 --> 00:10:59,956 these eight years with all of you. 196 00:10:59,959 --> 00:11:03,359 So, on behalf of Michelle and Malia and Sasha, 197 00:11:03,362 --> 00:11:08,632 grandma, Bo, and Sunny, Merry Christmas, everybody. 198 00:11:08,634 --> 00:11:12,404 Happy Holidays, may God bless you all, and may God 199 00:11:12,405 --> 00:11:15,475 bless these United States of America. 200 00:11:15,474 --> 00:11:18,314 (applause) 201 00:11:25,618 --> 00:11:27,318 The President: Hey, Santa. 202 00:11:27,319 --> 00:11:28,859 It's Santa, everybody. 203 00:11:28,854 --> 00:11:31,854 Give Santa a big round of applause. 204 00:11:31,857 --> 00:11:34,057 Can everybody please give one more big round of 205 00:11:34,060 --> 00:11:36,160 applause for this amazing collection of talent. 206 00:11:36,162 --> 00:11:40,132 (applause) 207 00:11:40,132 --> 00:11:42,102 The President: Santa, do you think we got one more song 208 00:11:42,101 --> 00:11:43,441 in us? 209 00:11:43,436 --> 00:11:45,076 Santa Claus: I think we can do that, Mr. President. 210 00:11:45,071 --> 00:11:49,071 The President: Band, what do you think? 211 00:11:49,075 --> 00:11:51,015 We got it? 212 00:11:51,010 --> 00:11:53,350 What sounds good? 213 00:11:53,345 --> 00:11:54,985 Jingle Bells? 214 00:11:54,980 --> 00:11:57,280 What do you think, everybody? 215 00:11:57,283 --> 00:12:00,783 You guys know the words? 216 00:12:00,786 --> 00:12:03,556 Garth, you better lead us on this, man. 217 00:12:03,556 --> 00:12:13,536 Santa Claus: What key? 218 00:12:13,532 --> 00:12:20,802 (music playing) 219 00:12:20,806 --> 00:12:23,106 Multiple Speakers: Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle 220 00:12:23,109 --> 00:12:25,209 all the way. 221 00:12:25,211 --> 00:12:30,721 Oh, what fun it is to ride in one-horse open sleigh, hey. 222 00:12:30,716 --> 00:12:36,226 Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. 223 00:12:36,222 --> 00:12:41,792 Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, hey. 224 00:12:41,794 --> 00:12:47,264 Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh. 225 00:12:47,266 --> 00:12:52,906 O'er the fields, we go laughing heartily, ho, ho, ho. 226 00:12:52,905 --> 00:12:58,315 Bells on bob tail ring, making spirits bright. 227 00:12:58,310 --> 00:13:01,710 Oh, what fun it is to laugh and sing a sleighing song 228 00:13:01,714 --> 00:13:07,484 tonight Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle 229 00:13:07,486 --> 00:13:09,726 all the way. 230 00:13:09,722 --> 00:13:15,292 Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, hey. 231 00:13:15,294 --> 00:13:20,964 Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. 232 00:13:20,966 --> 00:13:26,506 Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. 233 00:13:26,505 --> 00:13:31,845 (music playing) 234 00:13:31,844 --> 00:13:35,114 The President: Hey, thank you everybody. 235 00:13:35,114 --> 00:13:36,784 Merry Christmas. 236 00:13:36,782 --> 00:13:39,382 God, bless you, God, bless America. 237 00:13:39,385 --> 00:13:40,115 Thank you, guys.