Monday, December 20, 2010

'Sing Choirs of Angels'

We were 'at Home' yesterday - an event which under normal circumstances would have guaranteed a full house. When snow fell truly, madly and deeply on Saturday morning I think we knew our numbers would be depleted. This isn't a hill for the faint hearted. I am learning this.

No worries - in for a penny, in for pound. Wine, beers and juices were chilled in a snow-filled bin outside, meats were roasted, canapés assembled and warm mince pies amassed. Bring it on.

We missed those who could not join us and enjoyed the company of those who did.  A huge thank you to John who scraped our lane clear of snow - making the last ½ mile a safer journey.

Towards the end of the evening just before the last of our guests drifted away the Carol Singers arrived - Chirbury and Marton Young Farmers. We coaxed them indoors ('Forget your boots, it's only a floor') to sing for us. Their young voices: gruff baritones, shy tenors and wispy sopranos - gave generous measure. 3 carols, all old favourites, sounded pretty good to me.

I love the idea - and I'm not going to be particularly articulate here - of the Christmas story being schlepped round the neighbourhood: I'm thinking Thomas Hardy and his Wessex tales, of mummers and of traditions which come from before-we-know-when; of reasons lost in the mists of time for going door to door to bring news in the depth of winter. All this out of darkness under twinkling lights and boughs of evergreens - we know not why. I have my mistletoe, that most curious of plants, hung on a beam.

I only really wanted to say - 'Thanks for carolling'. You made my day.

8 comments:

Jayne said...

Wow. That will be a Christmas evening you will remember for a long time.

Pondside said...

It's been a few years since carolers made the rounds in our community - maybe this year we'll be lucky!

Pam said...

Oh how lovely to have had carolers come at the end of your party! I haven't seen them since I left the UK.

Annie said...

Oh how wonderful. Lucky you.
A x

Twiglet said...

Sounds like a good Yuletide get together - well done you and the carollers too!

Diary Farmer said...

Sorry from both of us for being one of the few who were unable to attend. Glad to here that it all went well. Happy Christmas to you both

Friko said...

Lovely, I love the carollers schlepping round Valley's End.
Not this year though, nobody has made it up our lane.
They've got as far as the square where mulled wine and mince pies warmed us up.

Have a very Happy Christmas.

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