On the other hand, the standard (Winchester Old) tune is so boring that it seems to go on for ever, whereas some of the livelier versions don't seem to drag so much. "Sweet Bells", I agree, does sometimes seem to take an age because the chorus is actually longer than the verse, so it's no wonder that it takes twice as long.

The trouble is that it's a difficult song to cut short without spoiling the sense. Last night in a pub Christmas session I was at, someone sang this to Cranbrook and simply went straight from the verse ending "and this shall be the sign.." to "All glory be.." It worked well enough, and I think we can take it that everyone knows the story anyway.

Marje