I Heard My First Christmas Carol

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 02:57 PM

Yes Paula, and, at this abovementioned library gig, it's just the kids singing with a pre-recorded accompaniment, and the teacher occasionally chipping in...plus there's usually a cuppa and a mince pie from the library staff, to-boot: nice start to the season.

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: Genie
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 02:42 PM

Joe, I don't get tired of Christmas carols either -- except when the radio plays the same artist's recording of the same one over and over ad nauseum. I look forward to December, when I can bring out my Christmas repertoire -- and my Hanukkah songs too -- for my retirement home gigs, and even at song circles.

I'm glad we hardly ever hear songs like Jingle Bells and Winter Wonderland and O Come All Ye Faithful at song circles. But there are many wonderful, less commonly sung and heard, songs about Christmas (and Hanukkah and solstice) that probably wouldn't go over well at song circles except during December, and I welcome the chance to sing them and hear them.

My problem with many folkie song circles is that so many who are are secular humanists or pagans seem not to welcome actual Christmas carols (about Jesus). Sometimes there seems to be almost a "Bah! Humbug!" attitude on the part of half the participants (though at other times of the year no one seems to mind doing songs like Angel Band or I'll Fly Away or Amazing Grace.) I generally shrug this off and sing whatever Christmas songs I want to, when it's my turn, but it seems like maybe half the group is receptive and the other half wants to do exactly the same kinds of songs they would do in any other month of the year.

It's all good, though -- as long as I don't have to hear Stevie Nicks's version of Silent Night, Cher singing O Holy Night, or Jewel murdering Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. ; D

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 07:53 PM

I've been a church choir member since 1985. Typically, I hear my first Christmas carol in September. From Dec 6-20, I'm scheduled for nine caroling dates. Somehow, I don't get tired of it.
I'm glad, though, that we don't sing many carols at song circles.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: paula t
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 07:32 PM

Walkabouts Verse,
Thanks for the reply. Even though I spend most of my school time singing with children, I much prefer to hear children singing carols. I find myself quickly switching off when some adult professional choirs sing them. There's something about the mixture of voices in a primary school"choir" that I find cheering and honest.Merry Christmas!

Paula

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: Joe_F
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 05:18 PM

At the laundromat today, the usual soft-rock speakerfilth had been switched over to Christmas "songs". Only two of the whole lot were carols.

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 01:19 PM

That reminds me, Paula, to (as in previous years) take a seat at a computer, and enjoy hearing local school kids go through their repertoire for those attending our local library.

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: paula t
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 01:04 PM

As a primary school teacher, I've been singing Christmas carols since the beginning of November! First of all I had to teach my year 5 and 6 children a selection of carols for our district carol concert , and I'm now rehearsing a number of carols for our school "sing-along" next week.We thought it would make a change for the parents to sing with us this year.
I can't get "The Holly And The Ivy " out of my head! A lovely question was asked by one of my year 3 children today when I was introducing that carol.He said, "Mrs Tindall....What's a "Holly Bear?"
Lovely. It made my day.

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 10:56 AM

Thanks for poem, WAV.

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: Mysha
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 10:41 AM

Hi,

Right that you did, John. Shops get plenty of complaints that they did something wrong; it's good they received a compliment to tell them they did something right.

Bye
                                                                  Mysha

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 05:36 AM

"Today........... I heard my first retail Christmas Carol .............."

Retail? My God, commercealisation gets everywhere.

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 05:26 AM

Poem, cum folk-carol, 230 of 230, from WalkaboutsVerse:
CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY

As gospellers have said,
Beneath signalling skies,
On land dusty to tread,
A trough in a stable
Was the strawy first-bed
Of a divine baby -
The forgiving Godhead.

A season for new hope -
There then and here now;
The yuletide of goodwill -
There then and here now.

In respect of this chance,
Beneath bright or dark skies,
Faith's the star that we glance
Attending Christ's churches
And trying to enhance,
With singing and ritual,
Our God-loving stance.

A...

(You may hear it here.)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 03:10 AM

Actually I don't call on him at all. But most folks in America do in one way or other, and the songs are generally beautiful, reflecting a general spirit that would do us all some good to heed.

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: Beer
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 10:54 PM

Good for you John.
Beer

Subject: RE: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 10:19 PM

Sorry for you emptiness.

We must live in different realms...

The Christ has been singing throughout 2000 years ... in my hemisphyer...call Him near...maybe you will hear??

Sincerely,

Gargoyle

Subject: I Heard My First Christmas Carol
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 09:22 PM

Today, while shopping at a Borders Books for Chanukah presents I heard my first retail Christmas Carol--the kind that mentions Jesus and Angels and all that good Christmas stuff. As this is now a rare occurrence, I asked the clerk to thank the manager of the store for allowing the Carol to be played.