BosGuy brain teaser

Each Friday morning I post a riddle to get you to think outside the box and exercise your brain. If you are stumped, share it with a friend or colleague and see if you can figure out the answer together.

I’ll confirm answers in the afternoon so don’t worry if you don’t see your comment posted right away. I want to give everyone a chance to guess.

This week’s brain teaser:  

This time of year is filled with songs
That through the world are heard.
And this classic holiday melody
Is titled with just two words.

The first syllable of Word #1
Is a sound you might make when down.
The second syllable of this word
Might come from a cotton gown.

The second word can be found
On a board with sixty-four squares.
Four of these appear at the start
And all of them look like mares.

Like riddles? Check out past week’s brain teasers.