Sen. Alexander plays Christmas carols in Senate office building

Retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) played Christmas carols on the piano Wednesday for his fellow lawmakers, Capitol Hill staffers and reporters as his tenure representing Tennessee in the upper chamber nears its end. 

Alexander played a piano set up in the Hart Senate Office Building’s atrium, starting off with “Winter Wonderland” and following it with other classics including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Silent Night.” 

The longtime Tennessee lawmaker was quickly lauded by senators on both sides of the aisle.

Thanks @SenAlexander for bringing a little holiday cheer to the halls of the Senate—you’ll be missed! pic.twitter.com/J8MFevawyn

— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) December 16, 2020

Senator ⁦@SenAlexander⁩ getting us in Christmas spirit in atrium of Hart Senate office building pic.twitter.com/CuSBvtPtye

— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) December 16, 2020

A real treat listening to @SenAlexander get us into the Christmas spirit. Lamar served Tennessee and our country well. Worked for Republican Judge John Minor Wisdom in New Orleans after law school. A great American. pic.twitter.com/PSvOXGLrv3

— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) December 16, 2020

As we work to finish the pandemic relief package retiring Tennessee senator (and excellent musician) ⁦@LamarAlexander⁩ plays Christmas carols for Senators and staff in the Hart building atrium. (Including I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (we hope)). pic.twitter.com/NAWWfoIauO

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) December 16, 2020

CNN reporter Ali Zaslav shared photos of Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and others enjoying the performance.

Sen. Susan Collins called for an encore pic.twitter.com/Gk2gIkgutS

— Ali Zaslav (@alizaslav) December 16, 2020

Spotted: Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin enjoying Alexander’s Christmas tunes pic.twitter.com/J1cFHI6htk

— Ali Zaslav (@alizaslav) December 16, 2020

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) also joined Alexander on the harmonica for a rendition of “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”

For one night only, @timkaine + @SenAlexander, in the Hart atrium pic.twitter.com/5Ka94aO2N4

— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) December 16, 2020

Lamar! returns to play an encore after many requests from the crowd. pic.twitter.com/h7Pvz3WQJJ

— Julie Tsirkin (@JulieNBCNews) December 16, 2020

The lawmakers have played music together for years, according to multiple reports. 

Alexander announced in 2018 that he would not seek reelection in 2020. Sen.-elect Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) defeated Democratic candidate Marquita Bradshaw during the November elections to represent Tennessee alongside Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R) 

The Senate is currently scheduled to adjourn on Friday. However, lawmakers have not yet finalized negotiations on another coronavirus relief bill with just weeks before some crucial aid programs expire.