Dear Readers, congratulations this week go to Sharon and to Fran and Bobby Freelove for 100% correct answers, well done to everyone! We will have a ‘normal’ quiz tomorrow, but I have something up my sleeve for Christmas, so watch this space. And I hope you enjoy the Christmas play list…..

Song Lyrics

1.There’ll be no more sobbin’ when he starts a throbbin’ his old sweet song.

Robin – When the Red Red Robin Goes Bob,Bob, Bobbing Along.There are lots of versions out there, the most famous probably being by Al Jolson, but here’s one by Doris Day which is particularly jaunty. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKCaVCCqVBw

2. Oh the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer

Holly and Ivy – this is a traditional carol, so here’s a rather nice version from the choir of King’s College, Cambridge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7eHtDtZ7hs

3. Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

Chestnuts, turkey, mistletoe and reindeers from The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You), sung by several people but for me, the very best version is by Nat King Cole, who makes it all seem effortless…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmY52jquHZQ

But this version by Ella Fitzgerald is fantastic too. What a voice. It’s making me all misty-eyed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPBs_dvO46o

4. The child is a king, the carolers sing
The old has passed, there’s a new beginning
Dreams of Santa, dreams of snow
Fingers numb, faces aglow

Mistletoe and a ‘tree’ from ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ by Cliff Richards. This is a bit of an ear worm so beware 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZCEBibnRM8

5. You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous xxxxxx of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer of course. There are hundreds of versions out there, but for a funky one, here are The Temptations. You’re welcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VRN1NYwiaI

6. Little xxxxx, little xxxxx
On the dusty road
Gotta keep on plodding onward
With your precious load

Little donkey! This seems to have been done by Vera Lynn and the Beverley Sisters among others, but here’s a version by Gracie Fields. Youtube is a wonderful thing. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEbmKpXr-Uo

7. Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin’ merrily
In the new old-fashioned way

Mistletoe,holly, a tree and pumpkin (in a pie, but still….) This is from ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’, most famously sung by Brenda Lee, though I see that more recently(ish) Mel and Kim got in on the act.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvpO5yc0Il8

8. Shadows painting our faces

Traces of romance in our heads
Heaven’s holding a half-moon
Shining just for us
Let’s slip off to a sand dune, real soon
And kick up a little dust.

Camel and Cactus, from ‘Midnight at the Oasis’ by Maria Muldaur. Whatever happened to her, I wonder? This is actually a pretty cool song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlrKETxwRvM

9. Fare you well my dear, I must be gone
And leave you for a while
If I roam away I’ll come back again
Though I roam ten thousand miles, my dear
Though I roam ten thousand miles.

A turtle dove and yet another tree :-). This is from ‘Fare Thee Well’ (The Turtle Dove) by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and very lovely it is too. I’ll accept any choir. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjemC20Mhaw

10. You know I’m such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger?
Do you have to, do you have to, do you have to let it linger?

The Cranberries, with the irreplaceable Dolores O’Riordan. What a voice. What a loss. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6Kspj3OO0s