In Woolies yesterday I decided to update our Christmas song collection with a wonderful CD containing all the classics. You know, Wizzard, Slade, Mud and Chas and Daves fantastic version of Auld Lang Syne! Anyhow, the CD's were on offer - 2 for a tenner so I mooched round a bit and found one called 'A Celtic Christmas'.

It is an excelent compilation of both vocal and musical numbers featuring whistles, harps, hooligan pipes etc. But here is the question. Why is it a CELTIC christmas? Here is the track list -

The Christ hilds lullaby
Guadette
The first Noel
Jesum Dominum
The Angel Gabriel
Away in a manger
Puer Nobis
Veni Emmanuel
Nova
Infant Holy
The seven joys of Mary
A virgin so pure
What is this fragrance?
Il est ne
Silent night
Divinum mysterium
Go to sleep my child
Look, a star shines
Our blessed lady's lullaby
Coventry Carol
Rocking
Quem pastores

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not knocking anything. I genuinely do not know how many of these songs are 'Celtic'. Or is it just that they are done in the Celtic (predominantly Irish in this case) style? If so, how come? Do the Celts not have enough of their own music? Or were all these songs originaly Celtic and have crossed to other areas?

Not that it realy matters anyway - as I say it is a lovely album - and a perfect foil to the other louder braher one I got. I am just interested.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome