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!
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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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Still Waters 