My little primary school was attached to a posh church (not physically), which explains why we had a sung eucharist every Wednesday, an annual Easter play that was epic in its ambition and portent, and spent months getting ready for Christmas.
I'm bitter about the Easter thing because I always had to be the narrator and wasn't ever allowed to be Jesus, which caused much junior teeth gnashing. I'm such a diva.
Anyway, must try to move on from these early setbacks.
The school tradition was that every Christmas the top class sang the descant. Which, you know, is the high harmony sung during some carols - Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Once in Royal David's City being notable examples. They're not complicated, but they have to be right or the whole thing descends into chaos. And it can sound wonderful. That last year was fun.
I can't sing the descant any more, because I'm now a baritone (or something scarily similar). But carols are still a great pleasure. I failed to get myself along to a carol concert this year and I regret it. Christmas wasn't the same without a blast of singing (and, possibly, God - but that's a more troubling question) and burbling along in the car is not a satisfactory alternative.
Ideally, I'd like:
A pretty church (St James', Piccadilly, is a good one)
A proper vicar (no happy clappies) but with a sense of humour
A choir (but no ruffles or rolled 'r's)
Some readings (John Julius Norwich if we're being proper, or Spike Milligan for entertainment)
All the classic carols
and
In the Bleak Midwinter - the proper version
So maybe the next few Christmases will see me go on a search for that elusive combination. I suppose I could always whistle the descant - the choir would love that...
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well, here i can only concur with a raised voice (descant of course but missing out that really high bit on Oh Come All Ye Faithful - who hits that apart from little boys?).
ReplyDeletei love a carol and i love a hymn, too (Am I My Brother's Keeper played too fast my Miss Kley anyone?). god bless school for that. for a non-believer, i do blasphemously love a bit of church-time, as it suits me. you are a good catholic girl with your primary school heritage. i did the stations of the cross with brownies plus secondary school rather drummed it in yes?
on a completely different note - i smelt a scented candle yesterday called 'chapel' which evokes christmas at church - it was amazing, everything you said above came flashing into my mind immediately. I'll get you one!
small children can't do carol concerts so i bought a hymns and carols cd. i can recommend it highly. i sing along badly by myself.
there is a jolly nice church in chester square, too. i remember having mince pies and mulled wine there.
good call all round lady.
K x