ADD: Dark December/Midwinter Carol (Graeme Miles)

Subject: Lyr Add: DARK DECEMBER (Graeme Miles)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 03:27 PM

DARK DECEMBER
(Graeme Miles)

Oh should we curse the winter
For being e'er so long
When the trees are black and groaning
And every leaf is gone
And from the silent blackthorn bush
There comes no small bird's song

Oh should we curse the winter
Oh should we curse the winter
Oh should we curse the winter
And December most of all

Oh should we curse the winter
For being e'er so cold
When the sheep together huddle
To keep warm in their fold
And a man don't leave his fireside
Unless that man be bold

Chorus

Oh should we curse the winter
For being e'er so bleak
When a man turns up his collar
To guard his frozen cheek
And hurries through the icebound streets
Through rain or sleet or squall

Chorus

Oh should we curse the winter
For being e'er so dark
When the sun is late in rising
But early to depart
When the bitter northern blizzard winds
Freeze our very hearts

Chorus

No we should not curse the winter
With its icy wind and storms
Likewise the cold and darkness
No man on Earth should scorn
For it was dark December
When the Christ child he was born

No we should not curse the winter
No we should not curse the winter
No we should not curse the winter
And December least of all

lyrics as transcribed from Ramskyte's Dark December album
The song Dark December is attributed to Graeme Miles

VT

There are a number of Mudcat threads dedicated to Graeme Miles but only one mention of this song and no lyrics posted.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dark December (Graeme Miles)
From: North/South Annie
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 08:37 PM

I'll just add that Ramskyte's 'Dark December' album is one of three Ramskyte CD's which will now be 'collectors items'as Ramskyte ceased after Brian Ingham passed away (3 years ago yesterday) However, Pete Luscombe and John Bartlett are doing a grand job now as 'Wholehearted'.

Annie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dark December (Graeme Miles)
From: GUEST,JHW in the library
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 08:30 AM

VirginiaTam
Are you looking for some info or just regaling us with this song of Graeme's for which you need no excuse in this weather? As soon as I read the words I could 'picture' Graeme singing them. Let me know if you have a query. John

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dark December (Graeme Miles)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 09:07 AM

Hi all

It is a brilliant song, lyrically and melodically. I copied the lyrics down as I listened so I could learn and perform it at sing arounds.

I am related by marriage to John Thornton the other member of Ramskyte. This is why I have the CD. I also have Flickering Light. I must remember to ask John for a copy of Holler and Shout. I think that is the name of the 3rd CD.

I sang Dark December at a sing around recently and the club organiser asked me for the lyrics. I told him I would post them here. I hope I did not do wrong.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dark December (Graeme Miles)
From: GUEST,flowston
Date: 12 May 12 - 10:05 AM

I have rad your thred re the above song which you comment is 'attributed' to Graeme Miles. I think it would be fairer for you to state that Graeme DID write Dark December and not inpkly that he may have done. ok at Forgotten Songs Remembered by Graeme Miles, available form Artsbank at Saltburn-by-the-sea.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dark December (Graeme Miles)
From: GUEST,Andrew
Date: 13 May 12 - 07:27 AM

The song was first recorded on a L.P.in the late seventies I think by the Wilson Family from Teesside where Graeme himself hails from. All the songs on the album were written by Graeme and sung by the Wilsons.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dark December (Graeme Miles)
From: GUEST,John
Date: 13 May 12 - 12:46 PM

The Wilsons Album is 'Horumarye' and is excellent, we copied it to disc a few years ago now but still listen to it on a regular basis. Not sure if it is still available. I fear it's another of Mr B's possessions

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dark December (Graeme Miles)
From: Hoblander
Date: 14 May 12 - 04:30 PM

Hello
just thought I'd add some observations. The Ramskyte recordings lyrics probably came from the Wilson's Horumarye, which as noted above was recorded in 1983. Those who know Graeme will be aware that his songs were and are constantly being refined, even now to an extent. I'm sure VirginiaTam as a big fan of Graeme's, would want the "preferred" lyrics as printed in Forgotten Songs Remembered. Not my classification but Graeme's. There are minor changes to each verse, and the score is probably a bit different to that which both the Wilsons and Ramskyte sing.
Dark December is one of the songs included in the Ironopolis Singers new show "Purple Acres" which features Graeme's songs and narratives about the Cleveland Hills and Dales and the North York Moors. You can see the show at Whitby Folk Week in August, as we have been very kindly asked back to the festival. News of the CD to follow.
Kevin