I like the idea of a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, but in practice I just can’t get on with a lot of the music – neither the arrangements, nor the way it’s sung. So while I prepare my stuffing, and giblet stock, and cranberry sauce, I’m far more likely to be listening to carolling from Sheffield or Padstow, or The Messiah, or Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. So here’s nine carols as an alternative. All have appeared on this blog over the last five years – except, bizarrely, ‘Foster’, which I always think I’ve posted before, but somehow never have. I hope they get you into whatever mood you’d like to be in as Christmas approaches. Now – is it time to put the sprouts on yet?
1. While Shepherds watched their flocks by night (Foster)
for other versions see Week 225 – While Shepherds Watched and Week 174 – Sweet Chiming Bells
2. This is the truth sent from above
see Week 69 – This is the truth sent from above
3. As Shepherds Watched Their Fleecy Care
see Week 171 – As Shepherds Watched Their Fleecy Care
4. Newton’s Double
see Week 122 – Hymn for Christmas Day / Sellwood Mollineux’ Carol / Newton’s Double
5. The Shepherds Amazed
see Week 120 – The Shepherds Amazed
6. Lo! The Eastern Sages Rise
see Week 68 – Lo! The Eastern Sages Rise / Hark Hark What News
7. All Hail and Praise
see Week 224 – All Hail and Praise
8. Hark Hark What News
see Week 68 – Lo! The Eastern Sages Rise / Hark Hark What News
9. The Sussex Carol
A Folk Song a Week 
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