Near Monyash, Derbyshire - December 2017
Reaching the end of my 71st Christmas Day, I wish to share my favourite carol with you. With words by Christina Rossetti and music by Gustav Holst, it is the timeless and forever poignant, "In The Bleak Midwinter".
I have chosen a piano version with lyrics provided especially for you to sing along to with the aid of whichever device you are currently using.
Please don't be shy. Just sing along to the best of your ability. Sing out loud and proud and if others around mock you or beg you to shut up, just ignore them and motor on through. You may need a couple of rehearsals before delivering your best version. What have you got to lose?
I have never heard that before, the piano melody is very pretty and I tried to fit the words to it, but in my head, not out loud, don't want to be scaring the neighbours. I liked it.
ReplyDeleteOf course you can find many other versions on YouTube Elsie.
DeleteI have fond memories of this carol from my childhood. I am alone in the house and hummed along mightily until the final verse when I let my creaky voice soar!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
You really like to get things stirred up . However , I didn't try singing.
ReplyDeleteSpoilsport!
DeleteThank you for enticing folks to sing. The director of the Christmas sing-along concert my Mum and I attended recently always says that everybody can sing (he might change his mind if he sat next to my Mum). But even those of us with less gifted and/or trained voices can enjoy singing, and that‘s what I usually do when I sing, no matter whether it‘s a Christmas carol or something on the radio or just a few lines of a song that comes to my mind when I am dusting and hoovering.
ReplyDeleteAre there any YouTube videos of you dusting and hoovering?
DeleteI once had someone tell me anyone can sing, its just a matter of finding the right song(s)
DeleteLove the top photo - very bleak mid winter! I'll pass on the singing.
ReplyDeleteYes. Do pass it on Carol. I would love to hear your version - with accompaniment from your dog.
DeleteNo, you really wouldn't!!!
DeleteThat is my favourite carol too, though oddly I only know verses 1 and 4 ! I often sing it when out with the dog on a frozen field.
ReplyDeleteI hope that we have the same good fortune as your Frances did when travelling yesterday. We have to go to Worcestershire......at least a 2 hour drive!
Happy Boxing Day....if that is a thing?
Are you out of Worcestershire sauce? Try Henderson's Relish instead.
DeleteThe Unthanks sing a mighty version of this my favourite Christmas Carol YP. Check out YouTube.
ReplyDeleteThat's a new one for me, but I love the song of the piano playing all alone.
ReplyDeleteWell, I did as you commanded and sang out loud and proud. Nurse says she will be topping up my medication soon.
ReplyDeleteI wondered what the sound was yesterday, all of your readers practicing.
ReplyDeleteWe had a sing-along last night at my home as we do each year with my sister playing the piano. We do not sing this song you have here but we have our traditional favorites and always finish with "O Holy Night" which my Dad always sang for us and now my youngest son sings it.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I didn't sing along though I watched the whole thing. But my favorite part was after the video ended and a teaser came up for the next couple, one of which was a picture of a beautiful slab of prime rib with a promise to teach the viewer how to prepare it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of hymns anymore, with the exception of the video I posted on my blog. I love the Huron Carol and even heard Tom Jackson sing it live, many years ago. It's a true Canadian song.
ReplyDeleteAs for the singing out loud, my god Mr. Pudding, are you trying to hurt my family and neighbors:) Only Katie gets to hear me sing.
I do love that carol. It's not one we know as well in the states but it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful choice, and how delightful to encourage us to sing along with "In The Bleak Midwinter." The timeless combination of Christina Rossetti's words and Gustav Holst's music is truly poignant. I appreciate the invitation to join in the singing, embracing the spirit of the season. Here's to creating our own musical joy on this Christmas Day! Happy Boxing Day! Visit Melody Jacob blog.
ReplyDeleteYears of singing in church choirs when younger mean that I'm more a Harold Darke than a Gustav Holst Bleak Midwinterer. Both demonstrate some squeamishness with regard to C Rosetti's references to the BVM. Darke leaves out the virginal kiss; Holst leaves out the "breastful of milk." In the Darke version that in turn was sometimes bowdlerised to a "heart full of mirth."
ReplyDelete