As promised, information about how, what, where, and when for this years carols—a fully fledged, brass supported, sing your hearts out, Christmas carol session around Highfields (again).

We’ll be gathering at number… well that’s still TBA (volunteers?)… at 6:45 pm (ish) for a 7:00 pm (ish) start on Sunday the 22^nd. I say “ish” because, as is traditional on these occasions, there will be “refreshments” before we set out (if all goes to plan, mulled wine, hot chocolate and nibbles).

A few details to keep in mind:

We’ll be meeting outside (there will be a bloody big gazebo if its damp). Dress appropriately.
There will be refreshments – mulled wine and hot chocolate (for the littles and those who don’t like mulled wine – odd I know, but it does happen) and probably mince pies. Feel free to drop off offerings during the day at numbers 2 and wherever we end up starting from.
Save the planet. Please bring your own cup/mug to be filled with good cheer.
Dogs, babies, cats, pushchairs, wheelchairs, Zimmer frames (have I forgotten anything?) all welcome.
A special truncated song book has been produced (see below). You can still use an old song book for most of the carols if you have one lying around. The running order has a cross reference for the old song number. Torches to help with seeing what you’re singing are recommended.
If you’re going down the electronic route, downloading the songbook BEFORE start is strongly recommended.

As with previous years…

WE WILL NOT BE COLLECTING ANY MONEY

It’s just for fun.

(Though plying us with more “refreshments” as we go around would not go amiss – purely to keep the cold out of course – hint, hint).

If you really, really feel the need, make a donation to your favourite charity.

Please tell your neighbours we’re coming around (especially the electronically challenged and/or elderly) and give them an approximate time. Some older residents hide because they are intimidated by the dreaded carol singers demanding money with menaces after singing one verse of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. It would be a pity for them to miss out.

Running order

We’re going back to some old favourites this year. As is always the case, there are many, many more carols contenders than there are sinigang slots and some golden oldies haven’t made the cut. Sorry if they include your own personal favourites. If it’s any consolation, my all time favourite didn’t survive the cut either (sigh – maybe next year).

The ones that did make the cut are in the music section (see below) and also linked here. Technically it’s still a provisional list, but it’s pretty close to being finalised.

Familiarising yourself with the adventurous bits and harmonies before hand is strongly recommended. Sooooo. Homework (it will get you in the mood if nothing else).

#	Song	(Old/full song book order)
1.	Oh Come All Ye Faithful / Adeste Fideles – 4 verses (1 English, 1 Latin, 2 & 3 English)	(4)
2.	God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – 3 verses (1, 3, 8)	(2)
3.	Deck the Hall / Nos Galan – 3 verses (English only)	(13)
4.	Silent Night / Stille Nacht / Tawel nos – 4 verses (1 English, 1 German, 1 Welsh, 2 English)	(5)
5.	Jingle Bells – 3 verses (1, 2, 3)	(7)
6.	Ding! Dong! Merrily on High – 3 verses (1, 2, 3)	(6)
7.	In The Bleak Midwinter – 3 verses (1, 2, 5)	(16)
8.	Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – 3 verses (1, 2, 3)	(15)
9.	Good King Wenceslas – 5 verses	(8)
10.	The Holly and the Ivy – 4 verses (1, 2, 3, 6)	(11)
11.	We Wish You a Merry Christmas – 4 verses	(28)