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This week on the Open Book Blog Hop we’re talking about our favourite Christmas songs. 

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Before thyroid cancer took away one of my vocal cords, I used to be an active member of our church choir.  For many years I sang alto and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I also sometimes went to the Albert Hall at Christmas to take part in the Messiah from Scratch.  Here are some of my favourite songs and carols I used to sing (in no particular order), which unfortunately now I cannot, but hey ho, it’s still all good.  I’m still alive, and I write instead.

For Unto Us a Child is Born (from Handel’s Messiah).  I remember singing this with much gusto at The Albert Hall.

He was Despised and Rejected (also from Handel’s Messiah).  Spine-tingly stuff….

The Coventry Carol.  More spine tingles…

Masters in the Hall.  My next favourite carol after the one below.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing.  My favourite carol.  I still try and croak out the descant, but it comes out an octave lower!

Angels from the Realms of Glory.  Another one of my favourites.

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (Gabriel’s Message).  I first sang this at nursery school and have loved this one from the age of 3.

In Dulci Jubilo.  I’m thinking of the carol rather than Mike Oldfield’s version.

Adam Lay YBounden.  I still remember this one from when I was at secondary school!

Little Donkey. Whenever I hear kids singing this one I get a bit misty-eyed.

Driving Home for Christmas (Chris Rea).  Reminds me of living in London and driving on the M25.

Step into Christmas (Elton John).  Reminds me of being a teenager.

Walking in the Air (from The Snowman).  Reminds me of my son learning to play it on the piano.

As a contrast I thought I’d also list a few of the Christmas songs I really cannot bear.  Forgive me if any of them are on your list of all-time greats, but I want to run a mile as soon as I hear these three……

I’m dreaming of a White Christmas.  It’s more like a nightmare than a dream.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  Nuff said.

I saw Mummy kissing Santa Claus.  Somebody needs to ban this one!

Happy Christmas all, and sing up (but don’t sing the last three) – I want to hear those descants!

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What are P.J MacLayne’s favourite Christmas songs? A computer geek by day and a writer by night, P.J. MacLayne grew up in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and sets much of her writing in that landscape. She currently lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.   You can check out her Amazon author page here http://www.amazon.com/P.J.-MacLayne/e/B00HVE8WZI/ and her blogs  here   http://pjmaclayne.blogspot.co.uk/

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