♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Tonight, from the nations capital, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden invite you to join them for a holiday celebration like no other.
♪ ANDREA: Hallelujah ♪ ANNOUNCER: Tonight, many of the world's most loved musical artists gather to bring you some of the seasons familiar holiday classics.
♪ CABELLO: I'll be home for Christmas.
♪ ANNOUNCER: Performed in many of the nations most historic rooms of the People's House, the White House.
Performing tonight on this celebratory edition of In Performance at the White House are... Andrea, Matteo and Virginia Bocelli.
Camila Cabello with Mariachi Herencia de Mexico Eric Church.
♪ CHURCH: Joy to the world ♪ ANNOUNCER: Jonas Brothers.
♪ JOE: Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ANNOUNCER: Norah Jones.
♪ JONES: This Christmas.
♪ ANNOUNCER: The Northwell Health Nurse Choir.
Pentatonix Billy Porter.
Voices of Service.
"The President's Own", United States Marine Band and Jennifer Garner.
And a special holiday message from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
And Vice President, Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff.
All tonight, on the 57th edition of In Performance at the White House.
(The Christmas Song Instrumental).
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ DR. BIDEN: Good evening, everyone and welcome to the White House.
I will never forget the moment that we stepped over that threshold on Inauguration Day.
The mahogany doors closed behind us and the grandeur of the front hall caught my breath.
The crystal chandelier reflecting off the marble floor, the presidential seal above the Blue Room, reminding us of what it all meant.
The exhilaration of our country coming together.
The honor, and pride the President and I felt, and continue to feel.
Every day we are here is special, but nothing can compare to how this place comes alive for the holiday season.
That's why, for our first Christmas here, Joe and I wanted to share the White House with you, the American people.
And to help us do that, is our dear friend, Jennifer Garner!
Hi!
GARNER: Hello, happy holidays!
Thank you, Dr. Biden!
It's amazing to be here where so much of our nation's history has taken place.
And what an honor it is to be welcomed in by the United States Marine Band.
DR. BIDEN: Tonight, we continue a tradition by hosting the 57th installment of PBS's "In Performance at the White House."
GARNER: That's right!
The White House has always welcomed the arts, whether it be song, dance, poetry.
And since 1978, when Vladimir Horowitz entertained 200 people in the East Room, Presidents and First Ladies have invited PBS to record "In Performance at the White House" series here, resulting in spectacular events featuring everyone from Aretha Franklin, Mick Jagger to Janelle Monaé, Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, and Justin Timberlake.
Tonight is no exception, except the only difference is that the artists are all performing songs of the season.
Wow!
I had heard about the holiday display, but this is incredible!
And I understand that it's a longstanding tradition for the First Lady to decorate the White House.
Congratulations.
DR. BIDEN: Thank you, Jen.
It took an amazing team of volunteers to transform this place into what you see.
GARNER: And I could not be more excited about this amazing group of performers you've gathered for tonight.
DR. BIDEN: Especially this first act, because I'm such a fan!
GARNER: As a singer, a songwriter, and an actress, this young artist puts so much of herself into everything she does.
Accompanied by Mariachi Herencia de Mexico and singing the Christmas classic "I'll Be Home for Christmas".
Here's Camila Cabello!
♪ CABELLO: I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love.
♪ ♪ Even more than I usually do.
♪ ♪ And although I know, it's a long road back... ♪ ♪ I promise you.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I'll be home for Christmas.
♪ ♪ You can count on me.
♪ ♪ Please have snow and mistletoe.
♪ ♪ And presents under the tree.
♪ ♪ Oh, please.
♪ ♪ Christmas Eve will find me.
♪ ♪ Where the love light gleams.
♪ ♪ I'll be home for Christmas.
♪ ♪ If only in my dreams.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ALL: I'll be home for Christmas.
♪ ♪ You can count on me.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Please have snow.
♪ ♪ CABELLO: Have snow!
♪ ♪ GROUP: And mistletoe.
♪ ♪ CABELLO: Oh-oh-oh!
♪ ♪ GROUP: And presents by the tree.
♪ ♪ CABELLO: Under the tree.
♪ ♪ Christmas eve will find me.
♪ ♪ Where the love light gleams.
♪ ♪ I'll be home for Christmas.
♪ ♪ If only in my dreams.
♪ ♪ If only in my... ♪ ♪ Dreams.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ In my dreams.
♪ ♪ Oh babe, my dreams.
♪♪ ♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Each year, one of the traditional events of the holiday season is the selection of the official White House Christmas Tree and the national competition for the honor of having your state represented in the Blue Room.
This year, for the third time, Peak Farms of Jefferson, North Carolina got the call.
And following a joyous sendoff from its home near the Appalachians, the 18-and-a-half-foot Fraser Fur arrived at the White House and was welcomed by the first lady followed by its final 100-foot trip to the celebratory place of honor in the Blue Room.
GARNER: In 1912, President William Howard Taft became the first President to have a tree in the public rooms of the White House, and his children placed it in this beautiful room, known, for obvious reasons, as the Blue Room.
In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of creating an overall theme for the holiday decorations at the White House and also naming each room.
This year, Dr. Biden was inspired by the Americans she met in her many travels and is celebrating "Gifts from the Heart."
The Blue Room honors the "Gift of Peace and Unity," and our next group demonstrates that theme every time they step on stage.
Please welcome GRAMMY-nominated vocal group, Pentatonix!
♪ MATT: Amazing grace.
♪ ♪ How sweet the sound.
♪ ♪ BOTH: That saved ♪ ♪ A wretch like me.
♪ ♪ GROUP: I once was lost.
♪ ♪ But now I'm found.
♪ ♪ Was blind.
♪ ♪ But now I see.
♪ ♪ SCOTT: 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear ♪ ♪ And grace my fears relieved.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Oooooh.
♪ ♪ SCOTT: How precious did that grace appear.
♪ ♪ The hour I first believed.
♪ ♪ My chains are gone.
♪ ♪ I've been set free.
♪ ♪ My God, my Savior has ransomed me.
♪ ♪ And like a flood, His mercy rains.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Mercy rains.
♪ ♪ SCOTT: Unending love, amazing grace.
♪ ♪ (harmonizing).
♪ ♪ KIRSTEN: The Earth shall soon dissolve like snow.
♪ ♪ The sun forbear to shine.
♪ ♪ GROUP: But God, who called me here below ♪ ♪ Will be forever mine.
♪ ♪ My chains are gone.
♪ ♪ I've been set free.
♪ ♪ My God, my Savior has ransomed me.
♪ ♪ And like a flood, His mercy rains.
♪ ♪ KIRSTEN: Unending love, amazing grace.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Grace.
♪ ♪ KEVIN: I once was lost, but now I'm found.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Was blind, but now I see.
♪♪ ♪ ♪ PORTER: Good evening, I'm Billy Porter and I'm honored to welcome you to the State Dining Room.
If these walls could talk, they'd tell you stories of White House weddings, of treaties being signed, children playing games, and historic gatherings of world leaders.
The State Dining Room is also the home of the White House gingerbread house, a tradition that dates back to 1969.
This year's house has been dedicated by Dr. Jill Biden to the frontline workers who keep our country running through the global pandemic, often at great risk to themselves and their families.
Appropriately named "Gift of Family," this room honors families we are born into, families we choose, and families we create.
At holiday time, I can't think of a song that speaks to family better than Donny Hathaway's, "This Christmas."
Hey, come on.
♪ Hang all the mistletoe.
♪ ♪ I'm gonna get to know you better.
♪ ♪ This Christmas.
♪ ♪ And as we trim the tree.
♪ ♪ How much fun it's gonna be together.
♪ ♪ This Christmas.
♪ ♪ The fireside is blazing bright.
♪ ♪ We're caroling through the night.
♪ ♪ This Christmas will be.
♪ ♪ A very special Christmas for me, yeah.
♪ ♪ (scatting).
♪ ♪ Presents and cards are here.
♪ ♪ My world is filled with cheer and you.
♪ ♪ This Christmas.
♪ ♪ And as I look around.
♪ ♪ Your eyes outshine the town, they do.
♪ ♪ Hey, this Christmas.
♪ ♪ The fireside is blazing bright.
♪ ♪ We're caroling through the night.
♪ ♪ And this Christmas will be.
♪ ♪ A very special Christmas for me.
♪ ♪ Woah-oh, oh-oh Oh, shake a hand, shake a hand, ♪ ♪ my brother.
♪ ♪ Ooh, yeah.
♪♪ Well, you know what, I think I'm gonna put a...
I'm at the White House, y'all!
Look ma, I made it to the White House.
♪ Hey, this Christmas.
♪ ♪ You see, the fireside is blazing bright.
♪ ♪ We're caroling through the night.
♪ ♪ And this Christmas will be.
♪ ♪ A very special Christmas for me, yeah!
♪ ♪ Oh, shake a hand, shake a hand, my brother.
♪ ♪ Oh, shake a hand, my sister.
♪ ♪ Spread love, spread love all over the world!
♪ ♪ Oh, merry Christmas.
♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, hey, hey!
♪♪ ♪ ♪ GARNER: I'm standing in the Cross Hall of the White House, the room that actually and symbolically connects all the rooms together in this historic building.
This year, its theme is the "Gift of Faith and Community."
Tonight, we welcome not one but two of our truly great classical voices, Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo.
As a special holiday gift to the Biden's, they are performing one of the most emotional songs of the season.
Based on a mid-19th century French poem, and sung tonight in both French and English, please welcome Andrea and Matteo Bocelli!
♪ ♪ ♪ MATTEO: O holy night.
♪ ♪ The stars are brightly shining.
♪ ♪ It is the night.
♪ ♪ Of our dear savior's birth.
♪ ♪ ANDREA: Pour effacer.
♪ ♪ La tache originelle.
♪ ♪ Et de son.
♪ ♪ Père arrêter le courroux.
♪ ♪ MATTEO: A thrill of hope.
♪ ♪ The weary world rejoices.
♪ ♪ For yonder breaks.
♪ ♪ A new and glorious morn.
♪ ♪ ANDREA: Peuple a genoux.
♪ ♪ Attend ta deliverance.
♪ ♪ BOTH Noel, noel!
♪ ♪ Voici le rédempteur.
♪ ♪ Noel, noel!
♪ ♪ Voici ♪ ♪ Le rédempteur.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ANDREA: Le rédempteur.
♪ ♪ A brisé toute entrave.
♪ ♪ La terre est.
♪ ♪ Libre et le ciel est ouvert.
♪ ♪ MATTEO: Chains shall he break.
♪ ♪ For the slave is our brother.
♪ ♪ And in his name.
♪ ♪ All oppression shall cease.
♪ ♪ ANDREA: Qui lui dira notre reconnaissance?
♪ ♪ C'est pour nous tous.
♪ ♪ Qu'll naît qu'll souffre et meurt.
♪ ♪ MATTEO: Christ is the lord.
♪ ♪ Oh, praise his name forever.
♪ ♪ BOTH: Noel, noel!
♪ ♪ Chantons le rédempteur.
♪ ♪ Noel!
♪ ♪ Noel!
♪ ♪ Chantons... ♪ ♪ Le... ♪ ♪ Rédemp... ♪ ♪ Teur... ♪♪ ♪ ♪ (applause) GARNER: "Joy to the World" is the most performed Christmas song of the 20th and now 21st century.
It was written in 1719 as an English hymn and quickly became a Christmas standard around the world.
It's been sung in almost every language and certainly every country where Christmas is celebrated, and tonight one of our favorite Country artists Eric Church gets his turn to give a new interpretation to a song we all love.
From the Green Room, here's Eric Church!
♪ ♪ ♪ CHURCH: Joy to the world!
♪ ♪ The Lord is come.
♪ ♪ Let earth receive her King!
♪ ♪ Let every heart prepare Him room.
♪ ♪ And heaven and nature sing.
♪ ♪ And heaven and nature sing.
♪ ♪ Let heaven, let heaven and nature sing.
♪ ♪ Joy to the world!
♪ ♪ The Savior reigns.
♪ ♪ Let men their songs employ.
♪ ♪ BOTH: While fields and floods.
♪ ♪ Rocks, hills, and plains.
♪ ♪ Repeat the sounding joy.
♪ ♪ Repeat the sounding joy.
♪ ♪ Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
♪♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ No more let sins and sorrows grow.
♪ ♪ Nor thorns infest the ground.
♪ ♪ He comes to make.
♪ ♪ The blessings flow.
♪ ♪ As far as the curse is found.
♪ ♪ As far as the curse is found.
♪ ♪ As far as, far as, the curse is found.
♪ ♪ He rules the world with truth and grace.
♪ ♪ And makes the nations prove.
♪ ♪ The glories of His righteousness.
♪ ♪ And wonders of His love.
♪ ♪ And wonders of His love.
♪ ♪ And wonders, wonders of His love.
♪ ♪ Joy to the world!
♪ ♪ The Lord is come.
♪ ♪ Let earth receive her King!
♪ ♪ Let every heart prepare Him room.
♪ ♪ And heaven and nature sing.
♪ ♪ And heaven and nature sing.
♪ ♪ Let heaven, let heaven and nature sing.
♪ ♪ Let heaven, let heaven and nature sing.
♪♪ ♪ LEE: Rockin' around the Christmas tree.
♪ ♪ At the Christmas party hop.
♪ ♪ Mistletoe hung where you can see.
♪ ♪ Every couple tries to stop.
♪ ♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree.
♪ ♪ Let the Christmas spirit ring.
♪ ♪ Later we'll have some pumpkin pie and ♪ ♪ We'll do some caroling.
♪ ♪ You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear... ♪ ♪ Voices singing let's be jolly.
♪ ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly.
♪ ♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree have a happy holiday.
♪ ♪ Everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way.
♪ ♪ You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear ♪ ♪ Voices singing let's be jolly.
♪ ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly.
♪ ♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree ♪ ♪ Have a happy holiday.
♪ ♪ Everyone dancing merrily.
♪ ♪ In the new old-fashioned way.
♪ ♪ ♪ DR. BIDEN: Often, in our most difficult times, we find our deepest gratitude.
And, in this Covid pandemic, we feel that gratitude for every one of our frontline workers.
To those who share our burdens, heal our hearts, and give us hope, we thank you.
Among the hundreds of thousands of Americans who continue to serve during this pandemic is a special group of nurses from New York.
To lift their spirits, and ours as well, they formed a choir that brings comfort and joy to all those around them.
Tonight, in the East Room, where we celebrate the "Gift of Gratitude," the Northwell Health Nurse Choir brings some of that joy to us and we are truly grateful.
♪ LISA: Haul out the holly.
♪ ♪ Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
♪ ♪ Fill up the stocking I may be rushing things but ♪ ♪ Deck the halls again now.
♪ ♪ GROUP: For we need a little Christmas, ♪ ♪ Right this very minute.
♪ ♪ Candles in the window, carols at the spinet.
♪ ♪ Yes, we need a little Christmas, ♪ ♪ Right this very minute.
♪ ♪ It hasn't snowed a single flurry, ♪ ♪ But Santa dear we're in a hurry.
♪ ♪ So, climb down the chimney.
♪ ♪ Turn on the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
♪ ♪ Slice up the fruit cake.
♪ ♪ It's time we've hung some tinsel ♪ ♪ On the evergreen bough.
♪ ♪ For I've grown a little leaner, ♪ ♪ Grown a little colder.
♪ ♪ Grown a little sadder, grown a little older.
♪ ♪ And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder.
♪ ♪ We need a little Christmas now.
♪ ♪ WINNIE: Haul out the holly.
♪ ♪ Haven't I taught you well to live each living day.
♪ ♪ BOTH: Fill up the stocking.
♪ ♪ But Auntie Mame!
♪ ♪ It's one week past Thanksgiving Day now.
♪ ♪ GROUP: But we need a little Christmas ♪ ♪ Right this very minute ♪ ♪ Candles in the window.
Carols at the spinet ♪ ♪ Yes, we need a little Christmas ♪ ♪ Right this very minute ♪ ♪ It hasn't snowed a single flurry ♪ ♪ But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry.
♪ ♪ So, climb down the chimney ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since I felt good neighborly ♪ ♪ Slice up the fruitcake.
♪ ♪ It's time we hung some tinsel.
♪ ♪ On that bayberry bough.
♪ ♪ For we need a little music.
♪ ♪ Need a little laughter.
♪ ♪ Need a little singing.
♪ ♪ Ringing through the rafter.
♪ ♪ And we need a little snappy ♪ ♪ 'Happy ever after'.
♪ ♪ We need a little Christmas now.
♪ ♪ We need a little Christmas now.
♪ ♪ We need a little Christmas now.
♪♪ ♪ ♪ GARNER: Over the past two years of the pandemic, in a world where we have been deprived of the experience of going to plays, concerts, theaters, and movies, the arts continue to play an important role in our lives, primarily through social media and traditional television.
So many artists have found creative and innovative ways to share their talents with the world despite the limitations.
The Red Room is filled with world-class artwork from our nation's history, and this year is dedicated to the "Gift of the Performing Arts."
The tree in this room is a stunning example of how we celebrate them.
Another example is multi-GRAMMY-winning songwriter/performer Norah Jones!
♪ JONES: Oooh, oooh.
♪ ♪ I wanna hear the music play.
♪ ♪ I wanna dance and laugh and sway.
♪ ♪ I want a happy holiday.
♪ ♪ For Christmas.
♪ ♪ I could call you on the phone.
♪ ♪ Sing a song, it feels like home.
♪ ♪ Instead of feeling all alone.
♪ ♪ This Christmas.
♪ ♪ And the snow is falling.
♪ ♪ Can't you see?
♪ ♪ Is it Christmas calling ♪ ♪ Out to me?
♪ ♪ If I could be with you tonight.
♪ ♪ Beside a fire shining bright.
♪ ♪ I'd open up to all of your light.
♪ ♪ This Christmas.
♪ ♪ Cause mistletoe hangs over me.
♪ ♪ I'm looking all around for glee.
♪ ♪ So, Santa, give me what I need.
♪ ♪ This Christmas.
♪ ♪ And the friends who.
♪ ♪ Feel like family.
♪ ♪ Were they secret angels?
♪ ♪ Holding me?
♪ ♪ And the snow is falling.
♪ ♪ Can't you see?
♪ ♪ Is it Christmas calling ♪ ♪ Out to me?
♪ ♪ Is it Christmas calling ♪ ♪ Out to me?
♪ ♪ I wanna be a Jolly Jones.
♪ ♪ Instead of feeling all alone.
♪ ♪ I sing a song that feels like home.
♪ ♪ This Christmas.
♪♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ GROUP: Ooh.
Sigh.
Give her your attention.
♪ ♪ Do.
I.
Really have to mention?
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ GREEN: Times are good or bad, happy or sad.
♪ ♪ One more time, I said, ♪ ♪ Let's, there you go, let's stay together ♪♪ The first lady!
♪ ESTEFAN: Hazlo libre de temores ♪ ♪ FELICIANO: Si Señor ♪ ♪ ESTEFAN: Si del amor mucho se aprende ♪ ♪ FELICIANO: Oh, no, no.
♪ ♪ ESTEFAN: Se aprende mas de los errors ♪ ♪ Ay, no llores, no llores.
♪ ♪ DYLAN: You better start swimming ♪ ♪ Or you'll sink like a stone.
♪ ♪ For the times they are a changing.
♪ ♪ McCARTNEY: Remember to let her under your skin.
♪ ♪ Then you'll begin ♪ ♪ To make it better, better, better, better, better, better ♪ (screams) ♪ WONDER: Oh, you are the sunshine of my life, yeah.
♪ ♪ That's why I'll always stay around.
♪ ♪ JAGGER: Never gonna turn ya loose.
♪ ♪ Yeah, never gonna turn ya loose.
♪ ♪ Never, never ♪ ♪ No, no!
♪ ♪ TIMBERLAKE: I'm sittin on the dock of the bay ♪ ♪ Watching the tide roll away ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh.
♪ ♪ FRANKLIN: Lord lift me up and let me stand.
♪ ♪ By faith on Heaven's table land.
♪ ♪ A higher plane than I have found.
♪ ♪ Lord plant my feet on higher ground.
♪ ♪ MONÁE: Goldfinger.
♪ ♪ He's the man.
♪ ♪ The man with the Midas touch.
♪ ♪ NELSON: On the road again.
♪ ♪ Just can't wait to get on the road again.
♪ ♪ The life I love is making music with my friends.
♪ ♪ And I can't wait to get on the road again.
♪ GARNER: As we celebrate the holiday season with our loved ones, there are military servicewomen and men stationed around the world, doing the hard work of keeping us safe.
And here at home, their families are serving in their own way, spending this wonderful time of year without one of the people they love most.
It's a sacrifice that our military community proudly makes and one we can never take for granted.
That's why service members and their families are recognized in several of the White House displays, and one of the most special displays is the Gold Star Tree, remembering those who have given their lives in service to our country, and honoring the families who carry on their legacies.
One organization that has worked to support our military community for 80 years now is the USO.
To introduce our next performers, please welcome the CEO and President of the USO, Dr. J.D.
Crouch II.
CROUCH II: Thank you, Jennifer.
The Biden's are a military family.
They've dedicated so much of their lives and careers to supporting our service members and veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
So, to honor the First Lady's theme of the "Gift of Service" and all the military families around the world, here is a vocal group of retired Army veterans and one on active duty, who call themselves Voices of Service.
They have performed for thousands of servicemen and women over the years, and tonight they perform a song that speaks to the heart of loss, remembrance, and the continued debt we owe to those who serve and their families.
Please welcome Voices of Service!
♪ ♪ ♪ RON: Well, I see breakfast on the table.
♪ ♪ And I can smell you in the halls.
♪ ♪ Lord knows I'd cry if I was able.
♪ ♪ But that won't get me through tomorrow.
♪ ♪ CHRISTAL: And no, it's not like I was counting.
♪ ♪ Or thought that we'd run out of days.
♪ ♪ I'll be holding onto something.
♪ ♪ Breathing the air, you took away, oh.
♪ ♪ GROUP: I'll keep a picture of you on the wall, ♪ ♪ Of you on the wall.
♪ ♪ And choke on the memories.
♪ ♪ I'll keep a message of you if you call, of you if you call.
♪ ♪ And choke on the memories.
♪ ♪ RON: Well, I've been looking for some new worlds.
♪ ♪ To say just how you got to me.
♪ ♪ I wrote some letters that I might burn, yeah.
♪ ♪ Cause then you're not just history.
♪ ♪ CHRISTAL: Oh, I see your clothes in the closet.
♪ ♪ GROUP: See your clothes.
♪ ♪ CHRISTAL: I hear your phone ring in the drawer.
♪ ♪ GROUP: There's no hope.
♪ ♪ CHRISTAL: I'm not hoping for an answer.
♪ ♪ I'm just knocking at your door, oh.
♪ ♪ GROUP: I keep your picture of you on the wall, ♪ ♪ Of you on the wall.
♪ ♪ And choke on the memories.
♪ ♪ I'll keep a message of you if you call, ♪ ♪ Of you if you call.
♪ ♪ Whoa, I'll keep a picture of you on the wall, ♪ ♪ Of you on the wall.
♪ ♪ And choke on the memories.
♪ ♪ I'll keep the message of you if you call.
♪ ♪ Oh!
♪ ♪ Oh, choke on the memories.
♪ ♪ RON: Well, I see breakfast on the table.
♪ ♪ And I can smell you in the halls.
♪♪ GARNER: Though Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" isn't a Christmas song, it has become a staple and is sung across America and around the world.
Tonight, we welcome back world-class singer Andrea Bocelli and his daughter, Virginia, to the Blue Room, which represents the "Gift of Peace and Unity" and is the home of the Official White House Christmas tree.
♪ VIRGINIA: Now I've heard there was a secret chord.
♪ ♪ That David played, and it pleased the Lord.
♪ ♪ But you don't really care for music, do you?
♪ ♪ Well, it goes like this, the fourth, the fifth.
♪ ♪ The minor falls, the major lifts.
♪ ♪ The baffled king composing Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ BOTH: Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ ANDREA: La fede mia mi abbandonò.
♪ ♪ Si perse ma si ritrovò.
♪ ♪ Perché smarrito sempre la cercai.
♪ ♪ Bellezza, incanto e nostalgia.
♪ ♪ Ferirono la mente mia ♪ ♪ Che in lacrime gridava un hallelujah... ♪ ♪ BOTH: Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ Il santo nome tuo dirò.
♪ ♪ Un nome che ormai non ho.
♪ ♪ Paura che risuoni dentro me.
♪ ♪ Di luce esplode la poesia.
♪ ♪ Come una sacra sinfonia.
♪ ♪ Che intona per il mondo un hallelujah.
♪ ♪ BOTH: Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ ANDREA: Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ BOTH: Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ I did my best, it wasn't much.
♪ ♪ I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch.
♪ ♪ I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you.
♪ ♪ And even though it all went wrong.
♪ ♪ I'll stand before the Lord of song.
♪ ♪ With nothing on my tongue... ♪ ♪ But Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!
♪♪ ♪ ♪ GARNER: As impressive as the first floor of the White House is, there's something magical about being down here on the ground floor.
On either side of Center Hall is the Library, the China Room, the Diplomatic Reception Room, and down at that end, the beautiful Palm Room all decorated for the season.
But tonight, it's about three brothers who make great music and truly exemplify "Gifts from the Heart."
Please welcome, Jonas Brothers!
(guitar and clapping).
♪ NICK: The snow on the ground.
♪ ♪ The love in the air.
♪ ♪ The sleigh bells are ringing.
♪ ♪ This is what it's all about.
♪ ♪ The fire is warm.
♪ ♪ The angels are singing.
♪ ♪ And I don't wanna miss a... ♪ ♪ BOTH: Single thing.
♪ ♪ Don't wanna put end to all this cheer.
♪ ♪ JOE: But as long as you're with me.
♪ ♪ It's always that time of the year.
♪ ♪ You make every day feel like it's Christmas.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Never wanna stop.
♪ ♪ JOE: Feelin' like the first thing on your wish list.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Right up at the top.
♪ ♪ JOE: I can't deny what I'm feelin' inside.
♪ ♪ BOTH: Nothin' fake about the way you bring me to life ♪ ♪ Cause you make every day feel like it's Christmas.
♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ♪ JOE: Look at the lights.
♪ ♪ Twinkling bright.
♪ ♪ Twenty-four-seven.
♪ ♪ Every inch of Central Park.
♪ ♪ Is covered in white.
♪ ♪ This could be heaven.
♪ ♪ And I don't wanna miss a... ♪ ♪ BOTH: Single thing don't wanna put end to ♪ ♪ All this cheer.
♪ ♪ So as long as you're with me.
♪ ♪ It's always that time of the year, yeah.
♪ ♪ GROUP: You make every day feel like it's Christmas.
♪ ♪ Never wanna stop.
♪ ♪ Feelin' like the first thing on your wish list.
♪ ♪ Right up at the top.
♪ ♪ I can't deny what I'm feelin' inside.
♪ ♪ Nothin' fake about the way you bring me to life.
♪ ♪ Cause you make every day feel like it's Christmas.
♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ♪ JOE: You make every day feel like it's Christmas.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Never wanna stop.
♪ ♪ JOE: Feelin' like the first thing on your wish list.
♪ ♪ GROUP: Right up at the top.
♪ ♪ I can't deny what I'm feelin' inside.
♪ ♪ Nothin' fake about the way you bring me to life.
♪ ♪ You make every day feel like it's Christmas.
♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ♪ I can't deny what I'm feelin' inside.
♪ ♪ Remember the reason.
No matter the season.
♪ ♪ My heart'll keep beating.
You better believe!
♪ ♪ You make every day feel like it's Christmas.
♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh.
♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you.
♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Every day that I'm with you!
♪♪ JOE: Happy holidays, everyone!
PRESIDENT BIDEN: In this season of joy, hope, and promise we're reminded of the goodness and grace of our nation.
As we look back at this year, we've seen enormous courage and character, resilience and resolve.
We see it in all of you who heal, who comfort, who teach and protect and who serve in ways big and small.
We also keep in our prayers all of you who have lost loved ones and for whom this season falls on heavy hearts.
We pray for you to find strength from sorrow and purpose from pain.
It's important to continue our holiday traditions to remind us that finding light in the darkness is a very American thing to do... Perhaps the most American thing we do.
And that we are a great nation because we are a good people.
My fellow Americans, Jill and I, Kamala and Doug, are grateful to you for being the light that leads our nation to better days ahead.
DR. BIDEN: As we celebrate our first holiday season in the White House, we are inspired by the American's we have met across the country.
Time and time again, reminding us that our differences are precious and our similarities infinite.
VP HARRIS: You remind us of the possibilities within our reach as a nation when we care for and look out for one another.
SG EMHOFF: And when we lift up the values that hold us together.
Dignity and respect, decency and unity.
We show the world the best of America.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: May God bless you all.
May God protect our troops.
And America... GROUP: Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
DR. BIDEN: And happy new year!
(Auld Lang Syne Instrumental) ♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Missed a moment?
Watch the show online and learn more about "Spirit of the Season" and past In Performance at the White House shows by visiting pbs.org/whitehouse.
And join the conversation online with #WhiteHouseConcertPBS.
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