[♪ opening fanfare, Fort Jackson's 282nd Army Band ♪] ♪♪ >> Welcome to the 57th Annual Governor's Carolighting!

My name is Jada Samuel, and I will have the pleasure of serving as your emcee for tonight's ceremony.

It is such an honor to kick off the holiday season with all of you here tonight on our beautiful state house grounds.

Now please join me in welcoming the honorable Governor Henry Mcmaster and First Lady Peggy Mcmaster to the stage.

[applause] [♪ Governor's Fanfare, Fort Jackson's 282nd Army Band ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ What a beautiful night to come together for the lighting of the state christmas tree.

In a few minutes, we will hear from our very own Governor Henry Mcmaster.

Throughout tonight's program, we will enjoy an assortment of musical performances by a wide array of talent from across the state of South Carolina.

We will also hear readings from the nativity story from the gospel of Luke, told by Dr. Derek Thomas of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia.

Before we leave tonight, we will also join together for a countdown to the lighting of the tree, led by Governor Henry Mcmaster and First Lady Peggy Mcmaster, signaling the official start of the christmas season in South Carolina.

Now I would like to invite Dr. Derek Thomas, Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, up to lead us in an opening prayer.

>> Let us pray.

Dear heavenly father, we gather here today in the spirit of joy and celebration as we come together to witness the lighting of this beautiful christmas tree.

We thank you for the opportunity to honor and remember the birth of your son Jesus Christ, whose teachings continue to inspire and guide us.

As we stand before this symbol of hope and renewal, we are reminded of the true meaning of christmas.

You sent your son into the world so that whosoever believes should not perish but have everlasting life.

In this season of joy, we rejoice in the gift of Jesus, who came to bring light into the darkness and hope to the hopeless.

We ask for your blessing upon our city and state, especially as we gather here at the steps of the State House.

Grant all who work here wisdom, discernment, and strength to uphold the values that have made our country strong and prosperous.

May our leaders govern with integrity and righteousness, seeking justice and promoting the well-being of all citizens.

In Jesus' name, amen.

>> Thank you, Dr. Thomas.

Now it is my honor to introduce Governor Henry Mcmaster.

[applause] >> What a beautiful night for this.

We've had some cold evenings when we've done this, but this is a little warmer.

I'm so happy to see everyone.

The first lady and I welcome you here to your State House and ask you to come back often as you can and be sure to bring your children with you and teach 'em about the history of our great state.

I was reading in preparation for this evening and thinking of how much we do have to be thankful for, and I was thinking back about our national anthem, which was originally a poem, but it was written by a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet.

His name was Francis Scott Key.

You may remember the story.

On September 14, 1814, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor by the British ships of the royal navy.

You'll remember he had gone to rescue a doctor who'd been taken prisoner by the British, and they were allowing him to come aboard, and when he was in the process of doing that, they thought they better keep him there since they had heard some secrets that had been discussed by the British naval officers.

So there he was.

He was watching the barrage of British bombs and rockets, and it was 25 hours' worth, and they started one morning and went through the night and up until dawn of the next day.

And that was when he would find out who had actually won the battle, not until then.

And he was inspired by what he saw.

As dawn broke, he saw the american flag triumphantly waving on the flagpole above the American fort, Fort McHenry.

And that's when he wrote these words.

It was originally to be a poem, but later was put to music.

And you'll notice-- most of us don't notice, but he asked two questions in the first verse, and I'll read two; it's four verses.

Most of us are familiar with the first verse only.

But it's two questions.

He says--now, remember, he was looking, watching the explosions and the light and the sound, and then it was darkness, and he didn't know what had happened, who had won.

He said, "O say can you see by the dawn's early light "What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?"

That is, when it got dark.

"whose broad stripes and bright stars "through the perilous fight "o'er the ramparts we watched "were so gallantly streaming.

"and the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air "gave proof through the night "that our flag was still there.

"O' say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Two questions.

And then he went on to partially answer it.

"O' thus can it be if ever when freemen shall stand "between their loved homes and the war's desolation!

"blest with victory and peace, "may the heaven rescued land praise the power "that hath made and preserved us a nation!

"then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, "and this be our motto, 'in God is our trust,' "and the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Well, the sentiments expressed there apply to us today.

There can be no doubt that ours is an exceptional nation.

It was conceived by an idea, not by history, not by a culture.

It was a philosophy.

We are unique in the history of the world, and there can be no doubt that our state, with our strong military tradition and our strong Judeo-Christian tradition, is an exceptional place.

And finally, there can be no doubt that if we teach our children well, as proclaimed in our national anthem and as whispered in our prayers, the love, peace, and happiness of our people will continue for generations in South Carolina.

In Jesus' name, Merry Christmas.

[applause] >> Thank you, Governor.

Up first to kick off tonight's musical talent is the Mark Rapp Group, who will be performing a jazzy rendition of "Up on the Housetop."

Then we will hear from the University of South Carolina's oldest a cappella group, the Carolina Gentlemen, who will be singing the all-time classic "White Christmas."

[♪ "Up on the Housetop" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Up on the Housetop" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Up on the Housetop" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Up on the Housetop" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Up on the Housetop" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [applause] [vocalizing] >> a one, a two, a one two.

>> ♪ bada-doo-da-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, ♪ ♪ bada-doo-da-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, ♪ ♪ >> I'm dreaming of a White Christmas ♪ ♪ Just like the ones I used to know, ♪ ♪ where the treetops glisten and children listen ♪ ♪ to hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow.

♪ ♪ Well, I, I, I, I'm dreaming ♪ ♪ of a White Christmas ♪ ♪ with every Christmas card I write.

♪ ♪ May your days, may your days, may your days ♪ ♪ be merry and bright ♪ ♪ and may all your christmases be white.

♪ >> ♪ doo-doo, doo-doo-doo.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, I, I, I, I'm dreaming ♪ ♪ of a White Christmas ♪ ♪ with every Christmas card I write, ♪ ♪ where the treetops glisten ♪ ♪ and children listen ♪ ♪ to hear sleigh bells in the snow.

♪ ♪ I, I, I, I'm dreaming of a White Christmas ♪ ♪ with every Christmas card I write.

♪ >> ♪ May your days, may your days, may your days ♪ ♪ be merry and bright.

♪ >> ♪ and may all your christmases ♪ ♪ be white... ♪ ♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.

♪ ♪ oooh... ♪♪ [applause] >> What an outstanding start to tonight's program!

Now we will hear "Jingle Bell Rock" performed by Fort Jackson's 282nd army band, followed by a reading from luke I by Dr. Derek thomas.

[♪ "Jingle Bell Rock" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Jingle Bell Rock" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Jingle Bell Rock" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [applause] >> Luke 1:26-31.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.

And the virgin's name was Mary.

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, o favored one, the Lord is with you!"

but she was greatly troubled at the saying and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, "for you have found favor with God.

"and behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus."

>> Thank you, Dr. Thomas.

Now we will hear from our special youth performance group for the evening, the Carolighting Children's Choir, who will be singing "Deck the Halls on the Twelve Days of Christmas."

following the Children's Choir, we will hear from the Lowcountry's very own Hallelujah Singers with "Come See the Baby."

♪♪ >> ♪ Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly, ♪ ♪ fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, ♪ ♪ 'tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, ♪ ♪ Don we now our gay apparel, ♪ ♪ fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, ♪ ♪ Troll the ancient yuletide carol, ♪ ♪ fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

♪ ♪♪ ♪ See the blazing yule before us, ♪ ♪ fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, ♪ ♪ Strike the harp and join the chorus, ♪ ♪ fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, ♪ ♪ Follow me in merry measure, ♪ ♪ fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, ♪ ♪ While I tell of yuletide treasure, ♪ ♪ fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

♪ ♪ My true love sent me presents ♪ ♪ on each of the twelve days of Christmas!

♪ ♪ twelve drummers drumming, twelve!

♪ ♪ eleven pipers piping, eleven!

♪ ♪ ten lords a leaping, ten!

♪ ♪ nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, ♪ ♪ seven swans a swimming, six geese a-laying, ♪ ♪ five gold rings!

♪ ♪ four calling birds, three french hens, ♪ ♪ two turtle doves, ♪ ♪ and a partridge in a pear tree!

♪ ♪ deck the halls with boughs of holly, ♪ ♪ fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la... ♪ ♪ la-la-la!

♪♪ [applause] ♪♪ [tapping drumsticks rhythmically] >> ♪ Come, come see the baby.

Come see the baby.

♪ ♪ Come...come see the baby.

Come see the baby.

♪ ♪ oh, come, ♪ ♪ Come see the baby, come see the baby.

♪ ♪ oh, come, ♪ ♪ Come see the baby born in Bethlehem.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, Mary had a baby ♪ >> ♪ born in Bethlehem ♪ >> ♪ You know Mary had that baby ♪ >> ♪ born in Bethlehem ♪ >> ♪ Oh, Mary had that baby ♪ >> ♪ born in Bethlehem ♪ >> ♪ and every time baby Jesus cried ♪ >> ♪ she'd rock him in the weary land ♪ >> ♪ and every time baby Jesus cried ♪ >> ♪ she'd rock him in the weary land ♪ >> ♪ but she had to rock that baby ♪ >> ♪ all night long ♪ >> ♪ Mary had to rock that baby ♪ >> ♪ all night long ♪ >> ♪ She had to rock that baby ♪ >> ♪ all night long ♪ >> ♪ Every time baby Jesus cried ♪ >> ♪ she'd rock him in the weary land ♪ >> ♪ Every time baby Jesus cried ♪ >> ♪ she'd rock him in the weary land ♪ ♪♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby, tiny little baby, ♪ ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ Tiny little baby, tiny little baby, ♪ ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ Tiny little baby, tiny little baby, ♪ ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ Tiny little baby, tiny little baby, ♪ ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem.

♪ >> ♪ Hark, the herald angels sing ♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ Glory to the newborn king!

♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ Peace on earth and mercy mild ♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ God and sinners reconciled ♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ ♪ Tiny little baby, tiny little baby, ♪ ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ He was a precious little ♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ Hark, the herald angles sing ♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ Glory to the newborn king!

♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ Peace on earth and mercy mild ♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ God and sinners reconciled ♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ He was a precious little, tiny little, ♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ ♪ Tiny little baby, tiny little baby, ♪ ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ He was a precious little... ♪ ♪ came to save, came to heal, ♪ ♪ came to deliver, came to set free, yes, he was!

♪ >> ♪ Tiny baby... ♪ >> ♪ you better rock your baby all night long.

♪ ♪ Mary, rock your baby all night long.

♪ ♪ He come to free men!

♪ ♪ I call him Jesus.

♪ >> ♪ tiny baby... ♪ >> ♪ He was a tiny little baby born in Bethlehem, lord.

♪ ♪ He was a tiny little baby born in Bethlehem.

♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ He come to free men!

♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ I call him Jesus!

♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ >> ♪ He's my savior.

♪ >> ♪ Tiny little baby born in Bethlehem!

♪ [applause] >> I trust that we are all in the holiday spirit now, right?

Now, we will hear from Greenville's electrifying violin duo, the Synergy Twins, who will play "Carol of the Bells."

following, we will enjoy the Mark Rapp group's performance of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."

[♪ "Carol of the Bells" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Carol of the Bells" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Carol of the Bells" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Carol of the Bells" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Carol of the Bells" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Carol of the Bells" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [applause] [♪ "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [applause] >> It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Now I invite you to reflect as we hear another reading from the gospel of Luke led by Dr. Derek Thomas.

Following Dr. Thomas' reading, we will enjoy a performance of "Let It Snow" by Fort Jackson's 282nd Army Band.

>> Luke 2:1-7.

In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.

[♪"Let It Snow" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪"Let It Snow" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪"Let It Snow" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪"Let It Snow" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [applause] >> Now we will hear the Carolighting Children's Choir sing "What you gonna call your pretty little baby?"

following, we will hear from the University of South Carolina's Carolina Gentlemen, who will be singing their rendition of "sh-boom (Life Could be a Dream)."

Enjoy.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> ♪ What you gonna call, what you gonna call... ♪ ♪ What you gonna call, what you gonna call ♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby ♪ ♪ born, born in Bethlehem?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby ♪ ♪ born, born in Bethlehem?

♪ ♪ oh, sweet little baby, born in a manger, ♪ ♪ oh, sweet little baby, born... ♪ ♪ oh, sweet little baby, born in a manger, ♪ ♪ born, born, born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby, ♪ ♪ born, born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby?

♪ ♪ What you gonna call your pretty little baby, ♪ ♪ born, born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ What you gonna call, what you gonna call, ♪ ♪ What you gonna call, what you gonna call... ♪ ♪ What you gonna call, what you gonna call ♪ ♪ your baby born in Bethlehem!

♪♪ [applause] [vocalizing] >> one and two, a one, two, three.

>> ♪ Life could be a dream.

Life could be a dream.

♪ ♪ shoo, doop, doop, doop, sh-boom.

♪ ♪ Life could be a dream, sh-boom, ♪ ♪ If I could take you up to paradise up above, sh-boom, ♪ ♪ and you tell me I'm the only one you love.

♪ ♪ Life could be a dream, sweetheart.

♪ ♪ hello, hello again, sh-boom, and hopin' we'll meet again, ♪ ♪ Hey, darling, ding-dong, sh-langa langa na-langa langa ♪ ♪ whoa, whoa, whoa, dip, sh-do, ba-da, ba-dip, ♪ ♪ Oh, life could be a dream.

♪ ♪ Life could be a dream, sweetheart.

♪ ♪ shoo-doop-doop-doop, sh-boom.

♪ ♪ Every time I look at you, ♪ ♪ something is on my mind.

♪ ♪ If you do what I want you to, ♪ ♪ Hey, there, we'd be so fine.

♪ ♪ Oh, life could be a dream, sh-boom, ♪ ♪ If I could take you up to paradise up above, sh-boom.

♪ ♪ Tell me, darling, I'm the only one you love.

♪ ♪ Life could be a dream, sweetheart.

♪ ♪ Hello, hello again, sh-boom, and hopin' we'll meet again, ♪ ♪ Hey, darling, ding-dong, sh-langa langa na-langa langa ♪ ♪ whoa, whoa, whoa, dip, sh-do, ba-da, ba-dip, ♪ ♪ Oh, life could be a dream.

♪ ♪ Life could be a dream, sweetheart.

♪ ♪ shoo-doop-doop-doop, sh-boom.

♪ ♪ Every time I look at you, ♪ ♪ something is on my mind.

♪ ♪ If you do what I tell you to, ♪ ♪ Hey, there, we'd be so fine.

♪ ♪ Oh, life could be a dream, sh-boom, ♪ ♪ If I could take you to paradise up above, sh-boom, ♪ ♪ and tell me, darling, I'm the only one that you love.

♪ ♪ Life could be a dream, sweetheart.

♪ ♪ Hello, hello again, sh-boom, and hopin' we'll meet again, ♪ ♪ Hey, darling, ding-dong, sh-langa langa na-langa langa ♪ ♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa, dip, sh-do, ba-da, ba-dip, ♪ ♪ Oh, life could be a dream.

♪ ♪ Life could be a dream, sweetheart.

♪ ♪ shoo-doop-doop-doop, sh-boom.

♪♪ [applause] >> Thank you for those wonderful a cappella numbers!

Now we will welcome Dr. Derek Thomas for a final scripture reading of the birth of Christ from the gospel of Luke.

Following Dr. Thomas' reading, we will hear from the Hallelujah Singers.

They will be performing "The First Noel."

>> Luke 2:8-18.

And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

And the angel said to them, "fear not, for behold, "I bring you good tidings of great joy "that will be for all the people.

"for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, "who is Christ the Lord.

"and this will be a sign for you: "you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "let us go over to Bethlehem "and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

and they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger.

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

♪♪ >> ♪ The First Noel ♪ ♪ the angels did say ♪ ♪ was to certain poor shepherds ♪ ♪ in fields as they lay, ♪ ♪ certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, ♪ ♪ in fields where they lay keeping their sheep ♪ ♪ on a cold winter's night that was so deep, ♪ ♪ cold winter's night that was so deep, ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, ♪ ♪ born is the King of Israel!

♪ ♪ born is the King of Israel!

♪ ♪ The First Noel ♪ ♪ the angels did say ♪ ♪ was to certain poor shepherds ♪ ♪ in fields as they lay, ♪ ♪ certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, ♪ ♪ in fields where they lay keeping their sheep ♪ ♪ on a cold winter's night that was so deep, ♪ ♪ cold winter's night that was so deep, ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, ♪ ♪ born is the King of Israel!

♪ ♪ Born is the king of Israel!

♪ ♪ Ding Dong, Ding Dong, ♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Born is the King of Israel!

♪ ♪ Born is the King of Israel!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

Noel!

♪ ♪ born is the King of Israel!

♪ ♪ born is the King of Israel!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ Ding!

Ding!

Dong!

Dong!

♪ ♪ bom, ding, bom, dong, bom, ding, bom, dong... ♪♪ [applause] >> Ladies and gentlemen, now please enjoy "Celtic Carol" performed by the Synergy Twins.

[♪ "Celtic Carol" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Celtic Carol" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Celtic Carol" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Celtic Carol" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Celtic Carol" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Celtic Carol" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Celtic Carol" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [applause] >> Let's give it up for all of our incredible performers tonight!

[applause] Now without further ado, let's light the tree!

Please welcome Governor Henry Mcmaster and First Lady Peggy Mcmaster up to count us down to the lighting of the state Christmas tree!

>> Which button?

>> I think it's this one.

>> [chuckling] Okay.

All right, 10... [drumroll starts] 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

[cheering and applause] [♪ "trumpet fanfare," Fort Jackson Army Band ♪] ♪♪ >> Thank you all for joining us at the 57th Annual Governor's Carolighting!

Now, all together, please join us in singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" to close out the evening!

♪♪ >> ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ and a happy new year!

♪ ♪ good tidings we bring to you and your kin ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ and a happy new year!

♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ and a happy new year!

♪♪ >> Merry Christmas, everyone, and good night!

[applause] [♪ "closing fanfare," Fort Jackson Army Band ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ >> one, two, a one, two, three... [♪ "Holly Jolly Christmas," Mark Rapp Jazz Band ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Holly Jolly Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Holly Jolly Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Holly Jolly Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Holly Jolly Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Holly Jolly Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Holly Jolly Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ [♪ "Holly Jolly Christmas" ♪] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ music fades ♪