Editor Note: In the spirit of the season here are a few words from our correspondent in the U.K., Brian Wilson. Thanks for sharing, Brian, and the merriest of holiday wishes to you and Mo! -- Gerry and Pam
By Brian Wilson
UK Correspondent
Special to Cruising Squared
In my youth I can remember carols being sung in pubs (bars). In Georgian times e.g. 1700 to 1800's, before country churches could not afford an organ, the church choirs would include a collection of instruments that would play during services.
Choir and "orchestra" (for it would often just include 4 players) would play in a gallery. Many new tunes were composed to well known words - and "Whiles shepherds watched" was one of them
Here is a version - called "old Foster" - no videos just pics and a good sound - yes it was taken that quickly as people enjoyed their singing (any why not!!)
By the way - you may ask "why were carols performed in pubs/bars?"
The answer is that after church service, the choir and players would tour the local houses and bars singing - and getting paid in drink.
So, by the last service of the day you can imagine the "quality" of the music!!
In early Victorian times the clergy were getting "worried" about the "goings on" in the choir gallery and the level of drinking. So, with the advent of smaller and cheaper organs even the smallest church could afford to disband these gallery choirs!
If you want to find out more you could read some thomas Hardy (books based around his native County of Dorset) e.g. http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/h/hardy/thomas/under/chapter7.html
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