Month: December 2023

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Jingle Bells – the one where we venture outside

Jingle Bells – not a carol but probably one of the most well known pieces of music worldwide…..composed by J Pierpont….it began life as “The One Horse Open Sleigh” in the 1850s….. possibly intended as a drinking song, it didn’t become a Christmas song until decades after it was first performed.  source

Love it or loathe it I don’t think it’ll be going away anytime soon – – hear the introduction and I bet your head starts nodding and the words just roll out of your mouth – – or stay inside your head all day😊

Recorded by so many different artists - I’m sure you’d be surprised at who has wanted to get in on the act!.

  • The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra plus Bell Ringers have a big bouncy version
  • I don’t know when it was actually filmed but this version with Mr Sinatra singing along with Mr Crosby looks (and sounds) as good as new
  • I think some of you will enjoy the glitz, glamour and colour of an outdoor Christmas Concert (2022) with Andre Rieu centre stage. There’s singing, mingling, dancing – there’s even a conga line weaving it way through the ‘audience’
  • I just love the jazzy big band sound of Count Basie and his orchestra – this version is when they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show (Dec 1966)
  • And the biggest surprise of them all – well to me that is – was this 2009 performance by Andrea Bocelli singing with …….The Muppets!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_Bells

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Just before you go – Aussie Jingle Bells is just that – a version of the song tailored for Australians who celebrate Christmas when it’s summertime and hot. . The clip is possibly a bit on the Ocker side for some but all good fun. . and the kids love it

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Dashing Through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute (pickup truck)
Kicking up the dust
Esky (A food cooler) in the boot (the Trunk)
Kelpie (cattle dog) by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It’s summer time and I am in my singlet,
Shorts and thongs!

Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a Scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute!

Engine’s getting hot
Dodge the Kangaroos
Swaggie climbs aboard
He is welcome too

All the fam-I-Iy is there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbeque!

Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a Scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute!

Come the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and Uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take a family snap (photo)
Then pack the car and all shoot through (go home)
Before the washing up.

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Colin Keith Robert Buchanan/Greg Champion

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Oh come all ye faithful – the one that has us cheering


You certainly need stamina to get to the end of this carol. . . It’s one to give the voice (and the lungs) a workout. Often sung near to the end of a carol service but sometimes as the processional hymn as the clergy make their way into the church. It is a carol that can be interpreted in many different ways…..

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/o-come-all-ye-faithful-lyrics-composer-carol/

If you have time come and watch. . .

  • the grand entry procession in St Patrick’s Cathedral (NY 2018) – which takes a while to begin. There is organ ‘solo’ plus a very evident glorious decant also some verses in the original Latin
  • listen to the different sounds that Pentatonix make in their version
  • take in the noise and fervour that the Australian group Planetshakers put into their ‘rock star’ version
  • see the look of surprise on shopper’s faces when the food hall at Destiny Center, Syracuse is ‘invaded’ by the gentlemen of The Harmony Katz Flash Mob singing their regular down to earth version (2016)
  • and then quietly watch and enjoy an animated version of the story overlaid with that beautiful voice of the late Nat King Cole

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O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

God of God, Light of Light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb
Very God
Begotten, not created
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
All glory in the highest
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentatonix

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetshakers

https://latterdaysaintmusicians.com/artists/the-five-strings

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nat_King_Cole
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See more in this carol series HERE – HERE – HERE

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I saw three ships – the one that has us all at sea

Although it’s classed as a Christmas carol, I saw three ships has a very different sound – I don’t remember it actually being sung at a church carol service but certainly at a large Christmas Carol concert.

Anyway I hope you enjoy these very different versions I found online. . .

  • There’s the full bodied stirring sound of The Tabernacle Choir and orchestra – lots of noise and musical sound effects (2004)
  • A soft gentle one by The Chieftains with Marianne Faithfull from their The Bells of Dublin album (1991)
  • A slow measured version sung by the crystal clear voice of Mario Lanza
  • The slow swaying very recent (Dec 2023) sea shanty version by The Fisherman’s Friends
  •  And an simple clear sounding upbeat tempo version by the unmistakable multitalented artist Sting (1997)

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The modern lyrics are from an 1833 version by the English lawyer and antiquarian William Sandys, and consist of nine verses. Source

I saw three ships come sailing in
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships all three,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning?

Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning?

O they sailed into Bethlehem,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice amain,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Then let us all rejoice amain,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Saw_Three_Ships

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacle_Choir

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianne_Faithfull

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chieftains

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherman’s_Friends

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sting_(musician).
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See others in this Carol series HERE – HERE – HERE

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Away in a manger- the one where we smile

This is one Christmas carol that never fails to please – always thought of as a children’s carol (or lullaby) it’s probably the first one most of us learnt. 
Known worldwide, and sung to two different tunes/melodies it’s one that usually isn’t ‘messed around with’ . 
This link will explain the claims about different verses as well as the different melodies – https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/away-in-a-manger-lyrics-history-carol/.

There are so many versions to be found online – I’ve included a….

  • 1963 British Pathe recording made at St Michael’s Tenbury
  • one with school children and congregation from a Songs of Praise production, (sorry location or year unknown)
  • a Cedarmont Kids version (with real live baby – I think)
  • a version sung by the Gaither Vocal Band – using the Mueller melody
  • and even a country/bluegrass version by an offshoot of the US Navy Band.

Mind you, I think most would agree this is a carol for the youngest of us all. . the last video is from a nativity play performed at an unknown school.. . smile – watch for the teachers prompting hand gestures (and see how much Mary loves that baby!

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Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with thee there.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Away_in_a_Manger
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Sharing with Wednesdays Words and Whimsy hosted by Min – HERE

See others in this carol series – HERE – HERE – HERE

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Ding Dong – the one that has us gasping!

Of all the Christmas carols this is one that can sound marvellous- or a bit off
Ding Dong Merrily On High – a bright breezy ‘modern’ number (first published in 1924) that can have us all belting it out if sung at too fast a tempo. . and then struggling for breath when we get to the ‘Gloria’ refrain at the end of each verse.

I tend to think it has a special sound of its own when sung in a church (personal POV) like the young choristers do each year in their Carols from Kings (Kings College, Cambridge) presentation. . but here are some other versions….

  • A very upbeat show businessy one from Celtic Woman –
  • a fairly recent (2021) one from Chor Leoni – a Canadian choir based in Vancouver. . featuring dueling pianists –
  • and a slightly different variation by The Wiggles!

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/ding-dong-merrily-on-high-lyrics-meaning/

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Ding dong, merrily on high! 
In heav’n the bells are ringing;
ding dong, verily the sky 
is riv’n with angel singing.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!

E’en so here below, below,
let steeple bells be swungen,
And io, io, io, 
by priest and people sungen.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!

Pray ye dutifully prime 
your matin chime, ye ringers;
may ye beautifully rhyme
your evetime song, ye singers.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!

Source: Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #148
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See others in this carol series HERE – HERE – HERE

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📘What, What, What,

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Well,  there’s a couple of books I have begun and put to one side:-

The Tower – Kate London 2015. 

A young woman plus a male police officer fall off the roof off a tall building- a newish to the role female police officer is on the team investigating the tragedy.
From the few chapters I’ve read I’m getting the feeling that the characters at this particular station are not quite the same as those in Dixon of Dock Green .
I’m aware that in real life as well as fiction there are good ‘uns and bad ‘uns in uniform but somehow I’m not sure I’ll finish this

A Mrs Miracle Christmas- Debbie Macomber 2019

One of those impulsive library picks – ‘I should get in the spirit of the season and read something Christmassy’ .
A young couple living with and tending for an older family member decide they need someone to help with her care  Enter Mrs Miracle!. 
I’m sorry, I realise this is a well known well ‘loved’ author but after a few chapters I’m finding this book is just a little bit too ‘cozy’  for me.

But . . .I do have another on the go which is more to my liking:-

Giants Bread  – Mary Westacott (Agatha Christie) 1930

Vernon Deyre is a sensitive and brilliant musician, even a genius. But there is a high price to be paid for his talent, especially by his family and the two women in his life.  source

Having read (and thoroughly enjoyed) my first Mary Westmacott at the beginning of November I am now several chapters into my second.  Working my way through Vernon’s childhood, learning about his fear of The Beast aka the Grand Piano and wondering how long until he becomes an adult
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I’ve not long finished:- 

The Erratics – Vicki Laveau Harvie

When her elderly mother is hospitalised after an accident, Vicki is summoned to her parents’ isolated and run-down ranch home in Alberta, Canada, to care for her father. She has been estranged from her parents for many years (the reasons for which become quickly clear) and is horrified by what she discovers on her arrival.

To begin with I thought this was just a short story- it reads like a novel but it’s actually a very short 224 page memoir. A very blunt, humorous (as in exasperated black humour) at times, no holds barred one. The author is a Canadian living in Sydney who is retelling the last years of her mother’s life, with flashbacks to years gone by and the effect it had on her, her father and her sister.

An interesting ‘oh my goodness, surely that (mental cruelty, elder abuse) couldn’t happen’ read — trouble is it does happen in many guises to many people world wide. Book club got it right this month!

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And what might be next:- 

I have no idea 😊

Kate Morton’s Homecoming is still waiting – but look it’s summertime.  And that to me is ‘whatever you fancy’ time.  There are three fairly recent ‘somehow I missed them’ books on the table plus an older ‘wonder what that would be like’ one.  And at least one of the nearby libraries will be open so maybe I’ll have a ‘lucky dip’ trip down there 📘❤️

Boys Swallows Universe – Trent Dalton (2018)
Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens (2018)
In the Valley of Blue Gums – J.H.Fletcher (2018).
Starting Over – Marcia Willett (1997)

Linking with What’s on your Bookshelf.

Also linked to Book Worms Monthly  – as well as It’s Monday, what are you reading.

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What’s the connection?

Is anybody able to tell me the connection between Bambi and Santa?

Back when I was growing up in England I don’t remember any Father Christmas with Bambi advertising- maybe it’s just a North American thing

Or maybe I’ve just forgotten 😋

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Music for Shane – By Shane . .

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Rainy_Night_in_Soho

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairytale_of_New_York

Fairytale of New York – Song by The Pogues

It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won’t see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I’ve got a feeling
This year’s for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

They’ve got cars big as bars
They’ve got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It’s no place for the old
When you first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
Then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing Galway Bay
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day

You’re a bum
You’re a punk
You’re an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it’s our last

The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing Galway Bay
And the bells are ringing out
For Christmas day

I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can’t make it all alone
I’ve built my dreams around you

The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing Galway Bay
And the bells are ringing out
For Christmas day

This isn’t by Shane – but was a fitting farewell

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Parting_Glass

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Train Tram & Ferry

(Sitting in drafts unpublished from last year – took place Saturday 9 April 2022)

‘We can get off at Flinders Street and walk’ he said. ‘How far, how long?’ I asked

‘Not too far’ he said. ‘A couple of kms’. ‘You’re joking’ I replied

’OK, well we’ll get off at Spencer Street, and go over that way. It’s about a 15 min walk’

‘Not sure I can make that after sitting on a hard train seat for 45mins. It’s Saturday, so change at Ringwood then stopping all stations to the city’ I said.

‘Alright then, I’ll forgo my morning walk. We can get off at Flinders Street and take the tram right to the dock’ he said.

Oh the joys of living with a back condition that can impede walking – and a man able to walk an 18hole golf course with no problems at all.

And this was the place to be – at the Melbourne Ferry Terminal
Victoria Harbour
waiting for the ferry to Portarlington

We had the Lady Cutler on our left, the Bolte Bridge in front and the pineapple looking Banksia Apartments along with the leaning Marina Tower to the right

Bolte Bridge dead ahead

Be prepared- a welcome?? sight as you wait to board

On our way now sailing past some little wooden boats outside The Victorian Wooden Boat Centre. The Enterprize (replica) was docked alongside there as well.

https://enterprize.org.au

Now we’re all out to sea – well not quite. . .
just dodging the Saturday sailors as we begin our way across the bay
(Port Philip Bay)

Then it was all aboard for a special trip – a gift for a special anniversary.
Sail, Rail & Dine – delayed a whole year because of ‘you know what’.
https://www.theqtrain.com.au

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A stop at Suma Park allowed people to get off and stretch their legs. There was nothing ‘arranged’ there so it was just wander up and down admiring the carriages and the engine if you walked that far forward (plus a very nice bench which I couldn’t resist). We could see staff tidying up the dining rooms preparing to serve desserts when we got back on, so true to form for many of them, when the time came, smokers who’d been asked to stand away from the train all left it as late as possible – puffing away then stamping it out just before they scrambled onboard.

Our girls bought the gift thinking we were going to be pulled by the steam engine – sadly he was booked for a special weekend event .. but we did get a glimpse of him further up the track 😊

Then it was time to get the coach back to Portarlington to connect with the ferry back to Docklands. No sitting outside on the return trip, this is how it was all the way across the bay. Dark clouds and strong winds!

We’d planned to wander round the Docklands area but it was cool, wet and windy when we got off the ferry – the tram and train home to our far eastern suburb sounded like a far better idea.

April 8 1961 – April 9 2022

Click/ tap or finger slide to enlarge

Sharing with Wednesday Words &Whimsy hosted by Min HERE

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Slight change of plan. . .


It’s Wednesday again
the first Wednesday in a new month
The first Wednesday in December 2023
Which means it is the first
Wednesday in Summer in Australia

And guess what – after all our whinging and complaining about seasons being late. . it really felt as though summer had finally arrived yesterday 😎

I haven’t actually been ‘sick’ as in incapacitated these past few weeks just inconvenienced (and very cheesed off)
Thinking laterally I changed hair products as well as left off any skin care products but that didn’t appear to make much difference.

Anyway over the weekend after family remarked on the red eyes – and wheezy chest – I gave in and decided a trip to the GP was needed.

So now we are considering an allergy
To what we don’t know

It was early November when it first became a problem but as it became like a moveable feast, not constant but coming and going, I really didn’t think it was pollen related.
The GP has suggested I might be wrong though.

And because my usual ‘lubricating dry eye drops’ are having no effect, from yesterday I’m trialling some recommended allergy eye drops. Albalon A

And guess what – yes – they are feeling much better!

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My hairdresser usually decorates the salon in bright Christmasy colours – change of plan this year. Silver elegance is how she described it

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Keeping the tradition alive ….

And what tradition would that be?’ I hear you ask

Taking the children into the city to look at Myer’s Christmas Windows
(Myer is a large department store in Bourke Street)

Windows dressed for the Christmas season
With a new theme each year.
This was the big unveil at Myer 2023

68 Years of magic – Myer Christmas Windows over the years

No children with us last time we went (2014) but we had fun just the same.
This was the year of The Three Bears

Fun for the young

And for the not so young

They are lit from morn to dawn (7.30am – 1am)
Lovely to look at – difficult to photograph!

The large reflected buildings are on the other side of the road
And do you see who I see 🙂

What sort of things are traditional festive outings for families in your town?
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Sharing with Wednesday Words &Whimsy hosted by Min HERE. 

Click/ tap or finger slide to enlarge

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Where oh where have my little men gone…..

Oh where, oh where, can they be?

(I published this elsewhere 5 years ago and am still looking 🤔)

My paternal grandad (the one who was gone before I arrived) had two brothers plus several half brothers  Deaths in Ireland in the mid 1800s were frequent so his father (my gt grandfather) was married twice.

The habit of giving children family given names – 1st son usually got their paternal grandfather’s name (plus more sometimes) likewise for daughters being given maternal grandmother’s names and so on – makes it so hard to pin point and attach the correct John, James, or even Archibald (who calls their child Archibald – my family obviously because it seems like there are hundreds of them out there) or even anyone else for that matter to the correct family.  John Smith could have 5 sons who each have a son, which means there you are, there’s 5 more John Smiths often with only a few years between them.

When my gt grandad named the boys in his second family he obviously couldn’t carry on the way he was going – he’d used up all the male names from both his and his deceased wife’s extended families which meant the new sons ended up with slightly different ones that originated in the new wife’s family.

So when associated with an unusual surname you’d think they’d be easy to find in amongst all the online records available on various family history sites.  You’d think??.

I’ve found the correct birth records for all three brothers plus 1901 Irish census and they’re filed away…… I’ve located a marriage certificate, 1911 Irish census record as well as a death cert. for my grandad (my dad’s dad) but nothing more for the other two.

The trouble is so many in their family or extended family from other counties all with the same surname (and at times with the same given names) decided life would be better elsewhere and hopped on ships to sail to other lands.  Passenger records are interesting in that sometimes the name recorded could be a full set of given names plus family name or any one of abbreviations/nicknames the person is called…..  Alexander James could be that or Alex or Alec or James (if his father has the same name) or even Jimmy!

Then there’s the case of illiteracy…….lack of reading and writing skills……….or even bad hearing in a noisy environment…..where names spoken aren’t always transcribed with the same spelling.  My father was adamant one of his grandmothers was a Muldoon – yes that, plus the McIldoon – McEldoon or M’Eldoon which I’ve found on legal docs.  Same with his other grandma – she’s recorded as being Mary M’Endoo or McAdoo or McAdor!  Northern Ireland accents could fool even the locals lol

That little saying up above is what my dad told me when I gave him his first grandchild.  Tell him about where the family came from but don’t stop him flying away to see what the rest of the world is like.

Now if anyone knows where my Thomas Henry ***** and his brother Joseph Arthur ***** have flown off to could you tell them their gt niece Catherine is looking for them 😊😎

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