A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday, 25th December 2016

[ARBurton]

I`ve no objection to their always starting with "Once In" but I do object to their singing the "Yea Lord we greet the" verse of "O Come". And it would be nice if they had a few more unusual items like "Christians Awake" (although I realise I`m in danger of breaking my own day-appropriateness rule there,) or "Joy to the World" - and wouldn`t it be interesting to hear them doing something like the Calypso Carol!

[Vox Humana]

I do object to their singing the "Yea Lord we greet the" verse of "O Come".

I guess this depends where you stand liturgically. It would not be inappropriate from high Anglican and Catholic viewpoints. As I explained here, the nine lessons and carols was modelled on Sarum Matins.* Feast days then actually began with Vespers on the previous day, hence the concept of the "eve", so from that point of view, singing "born this happy morning" on Christmas Eve is perfectly appropriate. And of course, if one doesn't like it, one need only postpone listening until the Christmas Day repeat.

That said, I am not keen on the modern habit of singing "Yea, Lord we greet thee born that happy morning", or variations thereof. I had to endure this at a carol service I accompanied last Friday. Greeting the Lord that far in advance of his arrival was surely a bit of a premature ejaculation.

* What I didn't know when I wrote that post was that Benson's order of service, which is reprinted in this very handsome book, included benedictions before the lessons that were also lifted directly from Sarum Matins.

[Dafydd y G.W.]

I guess this depends where you stand liturgically. It would not be inappropriate from high Anglican and Catholic viewpoints. As I explained here, the nine lessons and carols was modelled on Sarum Matins.* Feast days then actually began with Vespers on the previous day, hence the concept of the "eve", so from that point of view, singing "born this happy morning" on Christmas Eve is perfectly appropriate.

Similarly there is no need to stop singing it immediately after 25th, for each day of the octave is a repetition of the feast, so it is still "this" day up to and including the octave day (1st January).

That said, I am not keen on the modern habit of singing "Yea, Lord we greet thee born that happy morning", or variations thereof. I had to endure this at a carol service I accompanied last Friday. Greeting the Lord that far in advance of his arrival was surely a bit of a premature ejaculation.

I have heard "Born on Christmass morning". Urgh. Yes, it scans, but it's too too banal.

[underthecountertenor]

I have heard "Born on Christmass morning". Urgh. Yes, it scans, but it's too too banal.

Banal indeed, and also kinda tautologous?

[DracoM]

Yes, the Ash Wednesday service, once I think the exclusive preserve of John's, HAS moved occasionally. So there is precedent.

[underthecountertenor]

Yes, the Ash Wednesday service, once I think the exclusive preserve of John's, HAS moved occasionally. So there is precedent.

I think the first occasion was in 2008, when the service was sung by St Albans Abbey Girls' Choir. And this year it came from Temple Church.

Ash Wednesday at John's doesn't have quite the iconic 'noli me tangere' status of the King's 9 Lessons and Carols though, perhaps.

[ardcarp]

the "Yea Lord we greet the" verse

...but it did make it to University Challenge yesterday. (Identifying carols from 'lesser known' verses.)

[Petrushka]

Not sure why KCC or the BBC would want there to be any 'major restructuring' of the 9L&C. It is a winning formula that has stood the test of time and for millions of people worldwide is an essential part of Christmas. Once in Royal... is absolutely ideal as an opener and provides, for me at least, one of several goosebump moments in the service. Cleobury has tinkered with it only in as much as to offer a newly commissioned carol each year, some good, some bad and some indifferent.

It is the unchanging nature of this service that marks it out as the last bastion of sanity and calm in an ever more dangerous world and I hope no-one listens to one or two jaded forumites. While the choir might rue the fact that many will not realise the Christmas Eve service is only a small part of what they do, many will have been inspired to attend services or visit the Chapel, buy recordings etc, through hearing the choir in this service.

Anyway, I shall be following up later on Christmas Eve with a 9L&C at Lichfield Cathedral.

[ardcarp]

Agree that the formula has been a winner. But haven't we travelled far from the devotional simplicity of:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofGxXwA8i7c

[light_calibre_baritone]

Ah, but when do you reach the point of not much caring if you never, ever sing or hear another Hark! The Heretical Angels Sing? In my case I think it was probably 8 December. In 1996.

The church I am a 'regular' at had 18 carol services this year... Tho I dare say not as many as St Bride's who often have 2 a day!

[Vox Humana]

It is a winning formula that has stood the test of time and for millions of people

So was the Last Night of the Proms and look what they have done to that. :( I don't want to see the 9L&C revamped any more than you do, but time and again the BBC have proved that what we traditionalists might want is no surety against meddling. I'll admit to being jaded to that extent.

[cloughie]

Perhaps the BBC should permanently back to its place of origin and broadcast it from Truro Cathedral each year.

[Vox Humana]

Perhaps the BBC should permanently back to its place of origin and broadcast it from Truro Cathedral each year.

Well, there's no doubt that, under the current team, they would do it exceptionally well.

[Magnificat]

Agree that the formula has been a winner. But haven't we travelled far from the devotional simplicity of:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofGxXwA8i7c

ardcarp

I agree and have just watched my recording of this service again. What a fine choir Boris Ord had then too. Absolutely beautiful singing.

I can't see the current format changing and wouldn't want it to. After 60 years or so the tradition is just too well established.

VCC

[PeterboroughDiapason]

Order of service can be downloaded here: http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/ch...e-lessons.html