Recorded by Bill Leader and David Bland in December 1973;
Produced by Ian Russell and Bill Leader;
Notes by Ian Russell;
Sleeve and booklet design by Janet Kerr

Tracks

Side 1

1. Hark! Hark! What News (Roud 3010)
2. While Shepherds Watched (Liverpool) (Roud 936)
3. Jacob’s Well (Roud 17703)
4. Christmas Tree (Roud 17710)
5. Awake, Arise Good Christians (Roud 17709)

Side 2

6. Hail! Smiling Morn (Roud 1346)
7. The Star of Bethlehem (Roud 8365)
8. While Shepherds Watched (Foster) (Roud 936)
9. Ring Out ye Bells (Roud 17702)
10. Six Jolly Miners (Roud 877; TYG 61)
11. Merry Christmas (Roud 9681)

Tracks 4-5, 11 The Royal Hotel, Dungworth, 2 December 1973;
Tracks 1, 9-10 The Black Bull, Ecclesfield, 6 December 1973;
Tracks 8 The Fountain, Ingbirchworth, 9 December 1973;
Tracks 3, 7 The White Hart, Oughtibridge, 13 December 1973;
Tracks 2, 6 The Fountain, Ingbirchworth, 16 December 1973

Sleeve Notes

A casual visitor to the coal and steel area of South Yorkshire could be forgiven for disbelieving that in the villages beyond the sulphurous smog, there thrives a wide-spread tradition of Christmastide singing. Full-voiced, harmonised singing that flourishes not merely within the organisation of a choral society or a church choir but rather in the convivial, highly sociable and totally unsanctified setting of the local pub.

Very few of the carols are found in the standard collections used by schools and churches or indeed have the same turn of tune, because this district is one of a few pockets remaining in England in which survives a repertory of carols that pre-dates the work of 20^th century hymn book editors.

Ian Russell, who has made a study of this carol tradition, says that there are at least eight pubs in the area where some singing still goes on and about twenty where the tradition continues strongly.

He chose four of these pubs each with its own distinctive style of singing and during December 1973 we recorded the singing sessions. We were there to capture the spirit of the occasion not to make clinical recordings, so you hear the normal sounds of a pub as well as the glorious singing. As Ian Russell had said: “This record may help to dissipate some blinkered notions about song traditions by presenting such a tradition as it exists today in all its reality and splendour.”

Recorded and produced by Ian and Norma Russell;
Recorded live on location in Foolow on 1 October 1994;
Tracks 1-3 were recorded at the Wesleyan Reform Chapel;
Tracks 4-23 were recorded at the Manor House;
Track 24 was recorded outside at the Cross;
Mastered by Nigel Bewley, National Sound Archive;
Cover photograph by James Dobson;
Artwork by Thomas A. McKean

Musicians

Chorus led by Brian Armitt;
Bill Brookes, Keith Blood: violins

Tracks

1. Christians Awake (Roud 8334) (2.16)
2. O Come All Ye Faithful (Roud 24755) (2.33)
3. Lyngham (Roud 936) (3.10)
4. Raise, Christians, Raise (Roud 17727) (1.55)
5. Joy to the World (Roud 24747) (1.57)
6. Antioch (Roud 24360) (2.27)
7. Foolow (Roud 936) (2.06)
8. Once More (Roud 24725) (3.00)
9. Conquest (Roud 3210) (1.45)
10. Watchful Care (Roud 936) (1.49)
11. Gabriel (Roud 8358) (1.56)
12. Peace o’er the World (Roud 17729) (2.16)
13. Marshall (Roud 8365) (2.36)
14. Buckley (Roud 936) (1.56)
15. Mortals Awake (Roud 17137) (2.42)
16. Babylon (Roud 24721) (3.17)
17. October (Roud 936) (2.13)
18. Glad Tidings (Roud 3210) (2.00)
19. Awake, Awake, Awake (Roud 936) (1.10)
20. Hark, Hark, Hark (Roud 8337) (1.53)
21. Angels (Roud 8358) (2.31)
22. Heaven’s Our Home (Roud 936) (2.33)
23. Farewell (Roud 24717) (2.01)
24. Diadem (Roud 17726), Prayer, Blessing (2.11)

Produced by Ian Russell;
Recorded by Ian Russell at the Royal Hotel, Dungworth, on 3 December 1995

Musicians

Carollers, led by organist Sue Heritage

Tracks

1. Good News (Roud 3210)
2. Awake, Arise, Good Christians (Roud 17709)
3. Liverpool (Roud 936)
4. Swaledale (Roud 8128; TYG 46)
5. Jacob’s Well (Roud 17703)
6. Hail Smiling Morn (Roud 1346)
7. Tinwood (Roud 17725)
8. Hark Hark, Hark Hark (Roud 389)
9. The Mistletoe Bough (Roud 2336)
10. Pentonville (Roud 936)
11. Mount Zion (Roud 17137)
12. Back Lane (Roud 3225)
13. Reapers (Roud 17705)
14. Christmas Tree (Roud 17710)
15. Tyre Mill (Roud 3210)
16. Diadem (Roud 17726)
17. Mount Moriah (Roud 17724)
18. Star of Bethlehem (Roud 8365)
19. Old Foster (Roud 936)
20. Merry Christmas (Roud 9681)

Recorded and produced by Ian Russell;
Recorded at Chilwell Road Methodist Church, Beeston, on 23 March 1997;
Post production by Nigel Bewley, National Sound Archive, British Library;
Photographs by Peter Brook;
Artwork by Simon Shuel;
Cover design by Brian Walker

Musicians

Beeston Methodist Carol Choir, conducted by Margaret Cooper

Tracks

1. O Come All Ye Faithful (Roud 24755) (2.17)
2. Three Harks (Roud 8337) (2.13)
3. Silent Night (Roud 27088) (2.33)
4. Once in Royal David’s City (2.12)
5. Drop Hark (Roud 3010) (2.14)
6. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Roud 24646) (1.32)
7. The Old Tune (Roud 936) (1.42)
8. Epiphany (Roud 5743) (1.44)
9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Roud 8337) (2.39)
10. Winchester Old (Roud 936) (1.03)
11. Away in a Manger (Roud 25304) (2.05)
12. O’er Earthly Plains (Roud 17723) (2.04)
13. Shaw Lane (Roud 936) (2.06)
14. Spean (Roud 5743) (1.45)
15. O Little Town of Bethlehem (Roud 24752) (2.16)
16. Belmont (Roud 936) (1.37)
17. Angels From the Realms (Roud 8358) (2.27)
18. The First Nowell (Roud 682) (2.17)
19. How Beautiful upon the Mountain (Roud 8364) (1.42)
20. Antioch (Roud 24360) (1.35)
21. Come Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs (Roud V32654) (2.09)
22. Northrop (Roud 936) (1.49)
23. Behold! (Roud V5587) (2.31)
24. Christians Awake (Roud 8334) (1.46)

Produced, led and directed by Ian Russell;
Recorded by Nigel Bewley with assistance from Julian Williams, at Grenoside Cummunity Centre on 30 November 1996;
Post production by Nigel Bewley, National Sound Archive, British Library

Musicians

Beeston Methodist Carol Choir [3-4];
The Royal Hotel Carollers from Dungworth [7-8];
The Castleton Carollers [11-12];
The Fountain Carollers from Inglebirchworth [15-16];
All [1-2, 5-6, 9-10, 13-14, 17-18]

Tracks

1. Back Lane (Roud 3225) (4.19)
2. Tinwood (Roud 17725) (4.01)
3. Drop Hark (Roud 3010) (2.11)
4. Behold! (Roud V5587) (2.30)
5. Portugal (Roud 22278) (3.24)
6. Mount Zion (Roud 17137) (4.03)
7. Swaledale (Roud 8128; TYG 46) (3.23)
8. Fern Bank (Roud 936) (2.36)
9. Spout Cottage (Roud 17704) (3.08)
10. Awake, Arise, Good Christians (Roud 17709) (4.09)
11. Sons of Men (Roud 24732) (3.12)
12. Peace O’er the World (Roud 17729) (3.05)
13. The Christmas Tree (Roud 17710) (5.08)
14. Realms of Glory (Roud 8358) (5.53)
15. The Holmfirth Anthem (Roud 1046; TYG 55) (3.38)
16. Hail Smiling Morn (Roud 1346) (2.55)
17. Star of Bethlehem (Roud 8365) (5.54)
18. Mount Moriah (Roud 17724) (4.44)

This is a compilation of carols from Village Carols cassettes and CDs.
Compiled, annotated and produced by Ian Russell;
All tracks recorded by Ian Russell except
Tracks 3-4 recorded by John Leonard of the BBC,
Tracks 21-22 recorded by Nigel Bewley of the British Library National Sound Archive;
Post production by Nigel Bewley;
Cover photo by Brian Shuel

Liner notes (PDF) at Smithsonian Folkways

Tracks

Carollers from the Royal Hotel, Dungworth (1995)

1. Awake, Arise Good Christians (Roud 17709) (3.46)
2. Pentonville (Roud 936) (4.43)

Carollers from the Black Bull, Ecclesfield (1983)

3. Hark! Hark! (Roud 3010) (3.07)
4. How Beautiful upon the Mountain (Roud 8364) (2.21)

Carollers from the Blue Ball Inn, Worral (1995)

5. Sweet Chiming Bells (Roud 936) (4.01)
6. Star of Bethlehem (Roud 8365) (4.28)

Carollers from the Fountain Inn, Ingbirchworth (1995)

7. Prodigal Son (Roud 17730) (3.35)
8. Foster (Roud 936) (4.10)

Carollers from Castleton (1989)

9. Hark! Hark! (Roud 3010) (2.15)
10. Shepherds Rejoice (Roud 7105) (3.18)

The Little John Singers From Hathersage (1992)

11. Peace o’er the World (Roud 17729) (2.39)
12. Hail Smiling Morn (Roud 1346) (2.34)

Carollers from the Travellers Rest, Oughtibridge (1992/1991)

13. Mount Zion (Roud 17137) (3.24)
14. Jacob’s Well (Roud 17703) (4.21)

The Foolow Carollers (1994)

15. Raise, Christians, Raise (Roud 17727) (1.52)
16. Marshall (Roud 8365) (2.34)

The Coal Aston Carollers (1995)

17. Expectation (Roud 936) (2.15)
18. Lo! The Eastern Magi Rise (Roud 17728) (1.40)

Beeston Methodist Carol Choir (1997)

19. Angels From the Realms of Glory (Roud 8358) (2.24)
20. Three Harks (Roud 8337) (2.08)

A Festival of Village Carols, Grenoside (1996/1994)

21. The Christmas Tree (Roud 17710) (5.11)
22. Merry Christmas (Roud 9681) (3.40)

The Carols

The songs are referenced by page numbers.

16. Another Year has Passed Away (Roud 17708)
18. Awake and Arise (Roud 22274)
22. Awake, Arise, Good Christians (Roud 17709)
27. Awake My Harp (Roud 22275)
29. Back Lane (Roud 3225)
34. Birley Edge (Roud 17137)
37. The Christmas Tree (Roud 17710)
43. Come Welcome the New Year (Roud 22276)
46. Diadem (Roud 17726)
51. Eastern Star (Roud 8360)
53. Egypt (Roud 1503)
56. Eythorn (Roud 936)
58. Good News (Roud 3210)
62. Hail! Smiling Morn (Roud 1346)
68. Hark Christians Hark (Roud 22277)
73. Hark, Hark! Hark, Hark! (Roud 389)
76. How Beautiful upon the Mountain (Roud 8364)
81. Jacob’s Well (Roud 17703)
84. Joe Greaves (Roud 3210)
86. Little Bilberry (Roud 8337)
87. Liverpool (Roud 936)
90. Lyngham (Roud 936)
98. Malin Bridge (Roud V12393)
99. Merry Christmas (Roud 9681)
103. The Mistletoe Bough (Roud 2336)
106. Mount Moriah (Roud 17724)
109. Mount Olive (Roud 7105)
112. Mount Zion (Roud 17137)
115. New Celestial (Roud 17724)
118. New Christians (Roud 1503)
121. New Hark (Roud 389)
124. Old Christians (Roud 8334)
128. Old Foster (Roud 936)
133. Old Hark (Roud 389)
135. Pentonville (Roud 936)
140. Portugal (Roud 22278)
146. Realms of Glory (Roud 8358)
154. Shaw Lane (Roud 936)
156. Spout Cottage (Roud 17704)
159. Star of Bethlehem (Roud 8365)
166. Sweetness (Roud 3210)
168. Tinwood (Roud 17725)
171. Tyre Mill (Roud 3210)
173. Universal King (Roud 22279)

Additional Carols

176. Cranbrook (Roud 936)
180. A Song for the Time (Roud 24711)
181. Stannington (Roud 17707)
182. Sweet Chiming Bells (Roud 936)
184. When Jordan Hushed (Roud 24709)
187. Ye Sons of Men (Roud 24710)

The Carols

The songs are referenced by page numbers.

17. All Glory to God (Roud 2484) (Eyam)
19. All in the Morning (Roud 287) (Castleton)
20. All You That Are to Mirth Inclined (Roud 2431) (Castleton)
21. Angel of the Lord (Roud 936) (Castleton)
24. Angels (Roud 8358) (Coal Aston)
27. Angels (Roud 8358) (Foolow)
31. Angels From the Realms (Roud 8358) (Eyam)
32. Angels Proclaim (Roud 15685) (Poolsbrook)
35. Antioch (Roud 24360) (Foolow)
37. A Song for the Time (Roud 24711) (Hathersage)
38. Awake, Awake, Awake! (Roud 936) (Foolow)
41. Awake My Harp (Roud 22275) (Dore)
44. Babylon (Roud 24721) (Foolow)
47. Behold the Grace Appears (Roud 3225) (Coal Aston)
50. Bengal (Roud 24713) (Castleton)
52. Buckley (Roud 936) (Foolow)
54. Capy (Roud 17137) (Darley Hillside)
57. Chime On (Roud 936) (Foolow)
59. Christians Awake (Roud 8334) (Sparrowpit)
62. Christmas (Roud 936) (Hathersage)
63. Come Sing for the Season (Roud 24716) (Coal Aston)
66. Confidence (Roud 8365) (Darley Hillside)
68. Conquest (Roud 3010) (Foolow)
69. Curly Hark (Roud 8337) (Eyam)
73. Deep Harmony (Roud 24723) (Hathersage)
75. Down in Yon Forest (Roud 1523) (Castleton)
76. Eastern Star (Roud 8360) (Mastin Moor)
81. Expectation (Roud 936) (Coal Aston)
83. Eyam (Roud 936) (Eyam)
84. Farewell (Roud 24714) (Foolow)
87. Foolow (Roud 936) (Foolow)
90. Foolow Doxology (Roud 24760) (Foolow)
96. Gabriel (Roud 8358) (Foolow)
98. Glad Tidings (Roud 3210) (Foolow)
101. Good News (Roud 3210) (Coal Aston)
104. Grandfather (Roud 8337) (Sparrowpit)
106. Hail! Delightful Sacred Morn (Roud 24718) (Eyam)
109. Hail! Smiling Morn (Roud 1346) (Hathersage)
112. Hark Hark (Roud 3210) (Castleton)
114. Hark, Hark, Hark! (Roud 8337) (Foolow)
115. Hark to the Ringing of the Christmas Bells (Roud 24742) (Hathersage)
118. Hark What Means (Roud 24760) (Eyam)
121. Hathersage Carol (Roud 24759) (Hathersage)
123. Heaven’s Our Home (Roud 936) (Foolow)
128. Hecla (Roud 17726) (Coal Aston)
131. How Beautiful upon the Mountains (Roud 8364) (Hathersage)
133. Hush, Be Still (Roud 24720) (Hathersage)
135. Joy to the World (Roud 24747) (Foolow)
140. Let Sorrow and Darkness (Roud 24722) (Dore)
143. Little Bilberry (Roud 8337) (Castleton)
145. Little Hark (Roud 8337) (Coal Aston)
147. Liverpool (Roud 936) (Coal Aston)
149. Lo! The Eastern Magi Rise (Roud 8360) (Coal Aston)
151. Marshall (Roud 8365) (Foolow)
155. Merry Christmas (Roud 9681) (Coal Aston)
160. Merry, Merry Christmas (Roud 24758) (Eyam)
163. Merry, Merry Christmas! (Roud 24758) (Darley Hillside)
168. Mighty Trump (Roud 936) (Sparrowpit)
169. Mortals Awake (Roud 17137) (Foolow)
171. New Christians (Roud 8334) (Castleton)
172. New Christians (Roud 8334) (Hathersage)
173. October (Roud 936) (Foolow)
175. October (Roud 17137) (Darley Hillside)
177. On the Dew Besprinkled Lawn (Roud 24724) (Dore)
180. Once More (Roud 24725) (Castleton)
183. Once More (Roud 24725) (Foolow)
186. Peace o’er the World (Roud 8365) (Castleton)
189. Peace o’er the World (Roud 8365) (Hathersage)
191. Prince of Orange (Roud 24360) (Castleton)
194. Raise Christians Raise (Roud 17727) (Foolow)
197. Rolling Downward (Roud 24728) (Hathersage)
200. Shepherds Rejoice (Roud 7105) (Castleton)
202. Softly the Night Is Sleeping (Roud 1222) (Hathersage)
205. Sons of Men (Roud 24732) (Castleton)
207. Sound Your Instruments of Joy (Roud 8366) (Poolsbrook)
210. Star of Jacob (Roud 22275) (Castleton)
212. Tenderly Sleeping (Roud 24729) (Darley Hillside)
216. The Wondrous Story (Roud 24719) (Coal Aston)
220. Three Harks (Roud 8337) (Coal Aston)
223. To Us a Child (Roud 24731) (Sparrowpit)
224. T’Owd Virgin (Roud 1378) (Eyam)
227. Victorious Love (Roud 24730) (Eyam)
230. Watchful Care (Roud 936) (Foolow)
233. We Singers Make Bold (Roud 9681) (Mastin Moor)
235. We Twine our Festive Garlands (Roud 24712) (Eyam)

Produced and directed by Ian Russell;
Recorded live at the biennal Festival of Village Carols, Grenoside, Sheffield, 2002-2014;
Recorded by Bob Patten (2002-2014), Martin Howells (2010) and Louise Senior (2014);
Post production by James Hunter;
Photographs by Derek Schofield;
Design by Mike Garden

Musicians

Festival chorus conducted by Julia Bishop, Ray Ellison and Ian Russell;
John Fowler: solo vocals [1:7];
Manny Grimsley: solo vocals [1:19];
Fay Saxton: solo vocals [2:3];
Will Noble: solo vocals [2:13]

Tracks

CD 1

Carollers from the 2006 Festival

1. Awake, Arise, Good Christians (Roud 17709) (4.15)

Carollers from Eyam, 2004

2. T’Owd Virgin (Roud 1378) (2.27)
3. Curly Hark (Roud 8337) (2.34)

Carollers from the 2006 Festival

4. New Celestial (Roud 17724) (3.44)

Carollers from Foolow, 2004

5. Conquest (Roud 3010) (1.52)
6. Once More (Roud 24725) (2.55)

Carollers from the Blue Ball, Worrall, 2002

7. A Song for the Time (Roud 24711) (4.07)

Carollers from Kilmore, Co. Wexford, 2006

8. The Darkest Midnight (Roud 22096) (4.44)
9. Jerusalem (Roud 5053) (5.41)

Carollers from the 2008 Festival

10. Birley Edge (Roud 17137) (4.40)

Carollers from the Black Bull, Ecclesfield, 2010

11. Ring Out, Ye Bells (Roud 17702) (2.05)

Carollers from Hathersage, 2012

12. Hark to the Ringing (Roud 24742) (2.41)

Carollers from Coal Aston, 2002

13. Little Hark (Roud 8337) (1.37)
14. Angels (Roud 8358) (2.59)

Carollers from the 2008 Festival

15. Old Foster (Roud 936) (6.28)

Carollers from Padstow, 2014

16. Rouse Rouse (Roud 3307) (4.04)
17. Shepherds Rejoice (Roud 7105) (2.48)

Carollers from the 2006 Festival

18. Another Year Has Passed Away (Roud 17708) (2.39)

Carollers from the Royal Hotel, Dungworth, 2014

19. Stannington (Roud 17707) (3.04)
20. Mount Moriah (Roud 17724) (3.44)

Carollers from the 2004 Festival

21. Diadem (Roud 17726) (5.38)

CD 2

Carollers from the 2006 Festival

1. Pentonville (Roud 936) (5.21)

Carollers from Castleton, 2006

2. Sons of Men (Roud 24732) (3.00)
3. Down in Yon Forest (Roud 1523) (2.26)

Carollers from the 2008 Festival

4. Awake My Harp (Roud 22275) (4.08)

Carollers from Beeston, 2008

5. Drop Hark (Roud 3010) (2.16)
6. O’er Earthly Plains (Roud 17723) (2.05)

Carollers from Stannington, 2008

7. Fern Bank (Roud 936) (2.41)

Carollers from the 2004 Festival

8. Realms of Glory (Roud 8358) (5.44)

Parti Bronheulog from North Powys, 2008

9. Ar Gyfer Heddiw’r Bore (3.10)
10. Sawdl Buwch (3.02)

Carollers from the Old Red Lion, Grenoside, 2006

11. When Jordan Hushed (Roud 24709) (3.50)
12. Ye Sons of Men (Roud 24710) (3.38)

Carollers from the 2008 Festival

13. The Mistletoe Bough (Roud 2336) (4.32)

Carollers from Odcombe, 2004

14. Come Ye Redeemed (Roud 23676) (2.07)
15. Shepherds Rejoice (Roud 7105) (2.34)

Carollers from Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, 2012

16. Hark Hark (Roud 3010) (2.29)
17. Hosanna in the Highest (1.47)

Carollers from the 2014 Festival

18. Portugal (Roud 22278) (4.54)

Carollers from the Fountain, Ingbirchworth, 2004

19. Hail Chime On (Roud 936) (3.09)
20. Hail Smiling Morn (Roud 1346) (3.15)

Carollers from the 2004 Festival

21. Merry Christmas (Roud 9681) (3.56)