12th December 2020

Look what I've found on Youtube: a clip from a time when we didn't have to wear safety masks on planes and when we were still allowed to sing. Do you know the Christmas carol? You can check the original lyrics below.

Deck the halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Tis the season to be jolly, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 


Don we now our gay apparel, 

Fa la la, la la la, la la la. 

Troll the ancient Yule tide carol, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 



See the blazing Yule before us, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Strike the harp and join the chorus. 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 


Follow me in merry measure, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

While I tell of Yule tide treasure, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 



Fast away the old year passes, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 



Sing we joyous, all together, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Heedless of the wind and weather, 

Fa la la la la

Deck the Halls!

The music to Deck the Halls is believed to be Welsh originally and dating back to the sixteenth century. The first publication date of Deck the Halls is 1881. The author is unknown but the words are said to come from America.

13th December 2020

Next week we would have started singing Christmas carols and songs in class. That's how I got the idea for our December Daily English:

A Christmas Song Singalong

We are going to pretend we're in class and sing together. I'll go ahead and sing the songs and you can join me, wherever you are. You don't have to be a musician, it's just about having fun and a bit of Christmas spirit in troubled times. So don't be a spoilsport. Download the MP4 file, close the door if you have to, and sing along. You can read the lyrics from your own handouts or from this page.

Our first song is an all-time favourite:

Winter Wonderland

Over the ground lies a mantle of white
A heaven of diamonds shines out through the night
Two hearts a-thrilling in spite of the chilling weather
Love knows no season, love knows no clime
Romance can blossom any old time
Here in the open, we're walking and hoping together

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight we're having tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is the new bird
He sings a love song as we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow, we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say "Are you married?" We'll say, "No, ma'am
But you can do the job when you're in town."

Later on, we'll conspire as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid the plans that we made
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow, we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman
Until the other kiddies come around

When it snows, ain't it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland

If you can't open the music file, you can sing along this Youtube video.

14th December 2020

I'm sure you know the song, so sing and have fun!

Let it Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've brought some corn for popping
The lights are turned down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss good night
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbyeing
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
 

How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But, if you'll only hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm!

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbyeing
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Today I didn't have to sing along alone:

15th December 2020

Another Christmas classic:

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

16th December 2020

Today's song is a modern classic you might hear on the radio these days: Shakin' Stevens's

Merry Christmas Everyone

Snow is falling
All around me
Children playing
Having fun

It's the season
Of love and understanding
Merry Christmas everyone

Time for parties

And celebrations
People dancing

All night long
Time for presents
And exchanging kisses
Time for singing Christmas songs

We're gonna have a party tonight
I'm gonna find that girl underneath the misteltoe,

We'll kiss by candlelight.

Room is swaying,

Records playing
All the old songs,

We love to hear
All I wish that

Everyday was christmas
What a nice way To spend the year

We're gonna have a party tonight
I'm gonna find that girl underneath the mistletoe,

We'll kiss by candlelight.

Snow is fallin,

All around me
Children playing,

Having fun
It's the season

Of love and understanding
Merry Christmas everyone
Merry Christmas everyone

Merry Christmas everyone

Snow is falling,

All around me
Children playing,

Having fun
It's the season

Of love and understanding
Merry Christmas everyone

Snow is falling,

All around me
Children playing,

Having fun
It's the season,

Of love and understanding
Merry Christmas everyone
Merry Christmas everyone
Merry Christmas everyone

17th December 2020

We've just sung a traditional American Christmas carol for you. It was written in 1857 by Reverend John Henry Hopkins. If the verses are too difficult, start with singing the chorus.

We Three Kings of Orient Are

We three kings of Orient are 

Bearing gifts we traverse afar. 

Field and fountain, moor and mountain, 

Following yonder star.

Chorus:
O star of wonder, star of night, 

star with royal beauty bright, 

Westward leading, still proceeding, 

Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, 

Gold I bring to crown Him again, 

King forever, ceasing never 

Over us all to reign.

Chorus

Frankincense to offer have I. 

Incense owns a Deity nigh. 

Prayer and praising all men raising, 

Worship Him, God on high.

Chorus

Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume 

Breathes a life of gathering gloom. 

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, 

Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Chorus

Glorious now behold Him arise, 

King and God and Sacrifice. 

Alleluia, alleluia! 

Sounds through the earth and skies.

Chorus

18th December 2020

Today's song is a very old Christmas carol you all know. We Wish You a Merry Christmas is believed to date back to England in the sixteenth century. The tradition of carollers being given Christmas treats for singing to rich people is reflected in this Christmas song. Figgy pudding used to be very popular. The recipe consisted of figs together with butter, sugar, eggs, milk, rum, apple, lemon and orange peel, nuts, cinnamon, cloves and ginger, similar to the modern day Christmas Puddings.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
 

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!

Chorus:

Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year!

Now bring us some figgy pudding,
Now bring us some figgy pudding,
Now bring us some figgy pudding,
And bring some out here!

Chorus

For we all like figgy pudding,
We all like figgy pudding,
We all like figgy pudding,
So bring some out here!

Chorus

And we won't go until we've got some,
We won't go until we've got some,
We won't go until we've got some,
So bring some out here!

Chorus

19th December 2020

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
you would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say: "Rudolph with your nose so bright,
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then all the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!

20th December 2020

Today's song is 'Santa Baby'. We've talked about it in class and you know that it is about very big Christmas presents. 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' comes to mind. We've sung the traditional lyrics, but in times of Me Too they seem a bit inappropriate. That's why I've added a new version by Miley Cyrus.

Santa Baby

Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree,
For me.
Been an awful good girl,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa baby, a 54 convertible too,
Light blue.
I'll wait up for you dear,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Think of all the fun I've missed,
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed,
Next year I could be just as good,
If you'll check off my Christmas list,

Santa baby, I wanna yacht, and really that's not

A lot,
Been an angel all year,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa honey, one little thing I really need,
The deed
To a platinum mine,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex,
And checks.
Sign your 'X' on the line,
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Come and trim my Christmas tree,
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's,
I really do believe in you,
Let's see if you believe in me,

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing,
A ring.
I don't mean on the phone,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry, tonight.

Santa Baby (new version)

Santa baby, I hear you've got some presents for me
Miley, I've been an awfully good girl
Santa baby, still hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, I don't need any fancy jewelry
Not me, I've got something else in mind
Santa baby, and I don't need your presents tonight

Don't want diamonds, cash or stocks
Nothing that comes in a box
No more fluff, I've had enough
And I can buy my own damn stuff

Santa baby, I've got a baller car of my own
No loans, I bought it all by myself
Santa baby, with zero help from Elf on a Shelf

Listen Santa to what I say
A girl's best friend is an equal pay
So stop interrupting me when I talk
And don't text me pictures of your...

Santa baby, I'd love to know my ass won't get grabbed
At work by some ignorant jerk
Tell the dirtbag to put away the chimney tonight
Put away the chimney tonight
So put away your chimney tonight
Just put away your chimney tonight

21st December 2020

Are you ready for the ultimate Christmas carol challenge? You have four days to practise till Christmas Day, the first day of Christmas.

The Twelve Days of Christmas is a cumulative song, each verse is added to the previous verses, which means that they get longer and longer. So make sure to take a deep breath whenever you can. The song was originally published without music as a chant in 1780, the melody is based on a folk song and was added in 1909 by composer Frederic Austin.

Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas)
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Gold Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the  history of man's fall from grace
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
A partridge in a pear tree. 

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me 
Twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree! 

22nd December 2020

Another very well known English Christmas carol is Good King Wenceslas. It tells a story about the Bohemian king, who was considered to be a martyr and saint after his death in the 10th century. The lyrics were written by John Mason Neale in 1853, as often the melody is much older. It was taken from a 13th century spring carol (Tempus Adest Floridum). The story in itself doesn't have anything to do with the birth of Jesus, but it's about charity, which makes it a perfect Christmas carol.

Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel

Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.

Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather

Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
I can go no longer.
Mark my footsteps good, my page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shall find the winters rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.

In his masters step he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye, who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.

23rd December 2020

Today's carol is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The lyrics by Charles Wesley were first published in 1739 and has been sung to various tunes. The version that is mostly sung nowadays is the one with music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The Herald Angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of the skies.
With th' Angelic Hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!" 
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King."

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting lord
Late in time behold Him come,
Off-spring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail, the incarnate deity
Pleased as Man with men to dwell, 
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the New-born king!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace, 
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His Wings.
Now He lays His Glory by, 
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the New-born king!"