Listen now | The tunes and songs: 1. How Brightly Shines the Morning Star Dutch table clock made in 1750 2. Sleigh Ride Party–Jingle Bells Edison Male Quartette 1899 wax cylinder 3. Christmas Bells at Eventide Gracie Fields, recorded in 1933 This melody for the Lutheran hymn
I'm so glad you included Gracie Fields -- an Eastender done good, as my mum says. Mum was bombed out during the war, in Finchley, where she lived with her brother and parents across the road from Gracie Fields. Mum was evacuated to Wales soon after, in 1944 at age 8, but as happens during bombings, my grandparents' side of the street was obliterated, while Gracie's house was left almost unscathed and she opened her doors to the neighbours. After dispensing what care she could, she gathered them all around for a singsong of old favourites, wartime hits, and some raucous East End pub songs sung in her less posh voice.
I'm so glad you included Gracie Fields -- an Eastender done good, as my mum says. Mum was bombed out during the war, in Finchley, where she lived with her brother and parents across the road from Gracie Fields. Mum was evacuated to Wales soon after, in 1944 at age 8, but as happens during bombings, my grandparents' side of the street was obliterated, while Gracie's house was left almost unscathed and she opened her doors to the neighbours. After dispensing what care she could, she gathered them all around for a singsong of old favourites, wartime hits, and some raucous East End pub songs sung in her less posh voice.
Fascinating