Favourite Christmas songs or carols

Adeste Fideles, peferably sung in Latin, not English, and also I`m another fan of In The Bleak Midwinter, it`s lovely.
Christmas song wise, I love CLIFF Richard singing Mistletoe and Wine, and, although it wasn`t written strictly for Christmas, Johnny Mathis singing Wnen a Child is Born can reduce me to tears.

I just remembered Harry Belafonte singing Scarlet Ribbons. I've not heard it for years but it could reduce me to a puddle quite easily!

There was an article in my Bunty annual one Christmas about how Silent Night came to be written and I'm sure it said that the church organ stopped working and the guy who wrote it sang it with a guitar to the congregation. Poetic licence pehaps? Either way, the story stuck in my head [and I can still picture it in my head...I so loved my Christmas Bunty annuals..]

Diversion here, but I loved Bunty, Crimson.Joined the club, had a penfriend but best of all couldn't wait every week for the next cut-out outfit with tabs to put on the paper girl!

..they've got some really old Buntys on ebay but I don't know how to bid for them; I'm sure I recognise the covers.

I am very fond of Oh Night Divine. In my choir we are singing a version which incorporates Silent Night. It sounds beautiful.

Slightly off topic but listened to JLS singing their new single. It is based on a lovely Carol, " Do you hear what I hear ?", but the words are now all about meeting a girl in a club and having a drink. AIBU to find this slightly offensive?

joan, thanks for your comprehensive answer, it just about fits the bits i remember of the film i saw.once again, many thanks

Fairytale of New York - Kirsty McColl with The Pogues

Yes, I really like your choice, NannaAnna.

Like gma - once in Royal David's City' sung at the Kings College carol service broadcast live on the BBC Christmas Eve always moves me. Seems like Christmas has started. This from a pagan!

Hark the Herald.

I like "risen with healing in his wings".

Really enjoy most carols and songs. Pet hate is 'Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas' which I find very patronising! Not a Cliff Richard fan but anything from Fairytale of New York to Messiah will do nicely. Given the current ad's I think I might like the new Michael Buble cd too.

'Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas' bugs me too - makes me feel like throwing up! Never did like soppy stuff though.

We've had no mention of carols yet this year.
My DD has had a bout of nostalgia.You might enjoy the tape she dug out of our version of 'Deck the Halls' recorded over 40 yrs ago.
Family singers' -on DDs blog

That didn't work .Try partington family singers or scroll down on
Partington's Blog

I give up!!!!

Did anyone see Rod Stewart's Christmas Party at Stirling Castle shown on the box last night? He managed to turn every carol or Christmas song into a dirge and sang, what I can only think is the American version of Silent Night and to end murdered Auld Lang Syne. His biggest crime however was that he had Nichola Benedettie, Kylie Minogue and Michael Buble as guests and they were each permitted one duet with Rod - nothing on their own, what a waste of top talent. He also had backing singers, child singers, full orchestra, backing group and pipers. DH took great exception to the Celtic Football Club logo on the drummer's kit.

We watched because we can see the Castle from our house and, indeed, were rewarded by panoramic views from the Castle showing our hills and the lights of the village but otherwise what an expensive farce!

I hate - "popped up" carols played in supermarkets and shopping centres - yukk and double yukk!!

I love - Bethlehem Down by Peter Warlock - sad in places but the harmonies are magic. And West Gallery carols that are still sung in pubs round the north of England - a good lusty sound intended for a motley crew of singers and players - Sweet Chiming Bells, Hail Smiling Morn etc. Live music that is genuine and not messed about with - wonderful!

I so agree, Mishap - the disco style carols that emanate from the Round Table's Santa Sleigh (due any time now) turns me into Scrooge. I once told the collector that I disliked their noise pollution but don't think he understood me. OK - not quite Scrooge: I do give them a donation and hope they'll move on quickly. Bah, humbug!

Thanks for the reminder of 'Bethlehem Down' Mishap - it's beautiful. There's a medieval English carol called 'Hail Mary full of grace' that I love. One Christmas a few years ago I couldn't find the cassette tape I had with 'Hail Mary' on it. I gave up and went and turned on the radio. 'Hail Mary full of grace' was being broadcast at that moment - an amazing coincidence.

Does anyone remember 'Like silver lamps on a distant shrine the stars are sparkling bright'? I haven't heard it for years.Used to sing it as a child.

Tar Barrel in Dale ( new year really) The Unthanks

Hearing the Salvation Army Band playing Carols always moves me. The original Band Aid 'Do they know it's Christmas' does it for me.

One of the sweetest sounds is listening to little ones trying out the words of Christmas songs they have heard. I was listening to my barely 2-year old great nephew singing to himself the words of Away in a Manger as he played with a toy train.
It really touched me that he had so many of the words and the tune was carried so well

I saw a clip of the switching on of the lights outside No.10 - they had a couple of participants (?winners!!) of some TV talent show who then sang a carol - it was truly appalling!!! - and even DC looked as though he might be sick!