Carols

[poliphilo]

According to the BBC- which was broadcasting a concert of the nations top ten carols from The Albert Hall- the nation's number one favourite is "O Holy Night". What! Where on earth did that come from? It wasn't anybody's favourite when I was a vicar. Ailz and my mother said they'd never even heard of it.

Michael Ball sang it . He turned it into musical theatre. Mostly it sounded like Lloyd Webber but with a twiddly bit in the middle that was pure Arthur Sullivan.

I don't hate it, but it's too syrupy for my taste.

My favourite carols (in no particular order)

The Coventry Carol
Adam Lay Ybounden
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (which really is Arthur Sullivan)
The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came (aka Most Highly Flavoured Lady)
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
I Saw Three Ships
The Holly and the Ivy

My least favourite carol- because it's interminable- is While Shepherds Watched.

Comments

[glitzfrau.livejournal.com]

It's a Catholic carol, you dyed in the wool Anglican. Its popularity says a lot about religious demographics in the UK, I think.

[glitzfrau.livejournal.com]

Oh and: I learned this week from the radio that there's an area of South Yorkshire where they sing While Shepherds Watched to the tune of On Ilkley Moor Bar T'at. Much, much jollier!

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

I heard that on the radio the other day. Brilliant!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've heard them. It goes on and on and on...

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

Is it really Catholic? I've only ever heard it in Anglican churches - and Aled Thing sang it on the radio a few years ago

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Ah, that explains it....