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

[W.Kearns]

:


[Use some of the other tunes for "While shepherds watched". I think there are over 40 tunes known to have been used for this hymn in the past. It would be good to hear some of them being used in this context.

I was once told that the words to 'While shepherds watched' fit almost any tune available. Recent private experimenting makes me think they go quite neatly to the 'Lass of Richmond Hill' and - with a bit of word-wrenching and lungs of steel - to 'Danny Boy.' There is, perhaps, rather an interesting parlour game here in the making.

[underthecountertenor]

I was once told that the words to 'While shepherds watched' fit almost any tune available. Recent private experimenting makes me think they go quite neatly to the 'Lass of Richmond Hill' and - with a bit of word-wrenching and lungs of steel - to 'Danny Boy.' There is, perhaps, rather an interesting parlour game here in the making.

Funnily enough, I have just been remembering the true story of a treble (who shall be nameless) who, when given just a D to start Once in Royal David's City.
In a fit of panic-induced amnesia, he launched into singing it to the tune of Cwm Rhondda, necessitating a repeat of the words 'Jesus Christ her little child'.
Always wise to give the first three notes.

[ardcarp]

Just tried it and chuckled at

Mary was that
Mary was that
Mary was that Mother mild (MOTHER MILD)

[underthecountertenor]

Just tried it and chuckled at

Mary was that
Mary was that
Mary was that Mother mild (MOTHER MILD)

That would have been a good way out - a kind of football terraces version.

[weston752]

'There is, perhaps, rather an interesting parlour game here in the making.' I think 'I'm sorry I haven't a clue' on Radio 4 has rather beaten us to it....

[underthecountertenor]

Given the saturation coverage this year, one 'development' I'd put a fiver on is the appearance in the 2017 order of service of

'Carol: Winner of BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition, to be announced'.

[jean]

I was once told that the words to 'While shepherds watched' fit almost any tune available. Recent private experimenting makes me think they go quite neatly to the 'Lass of Richmond Hill' and - with a bit of word-wrenching and lungs of steel - to 'Danny Boy.' There is, perhaps, rather an interesting parlour game here in the making.

It's been done - It's one of the stalwarts of the West Gallery tradition.

The tune of On Ilkley Moor fits particularly well.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's been done - It's one of the stalwarts of the West Gallery tradition.

The tune of On Ilkley Moor fits particularly well.

That's true, but it is thought to be the original use of the melody. A fair bit of word repetition is needed.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

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

I wouldn't want it to either. But some of the carols are repeated ad nauseam (e.g. Adan lay ybounden; this could be remedied without changing the format at all.

[jean]

...some of the carols are repeated ad nauseam (e.g. Adan lay ybounden...)

It suits the early part of the narrative like nothing else! But it would be nice to hear the Peter Warlock setting sometimes.

[CallMePaul]

The tune of On Ilkley Moor fits particularly well.

This has been recorded by Psalmody with the Parley of Instruments on Hyperion (CDA66924 or NOEL1)

[DracoM]

It's pretty common oop 'ere.

[cloughie]

It's been done - It's one of the stalwarts of the West Gallery tradition.

The tune of On Ilkley Moor fits particularly well.

Lingham is the preferred version in these parts, but it also fits well the Prokofiev borrowed bit of the Troika in Greg Lake's 'I believe in Father Christmas'.
(I have put different words to that tune to use as a religious chorus to offset Greg's more cynical words).

[ardcarp]

Please. Let us return to the thread title.

[Gabriel Jackson]

Please. Let us return to the thread title.

Yeah, let's. Wouldn't want a little local difficulty get in the way of the matter in hand which is, what, bitching about King's?