​A Delicious Advent Carol...

[cambrensis]

We've done this generation after generation. Done what? As children changed the words of Carols as we thought it so hilarious...We've had the Wise Men "flogging chocolate" for example. Between us we must know dozens of versions of all of them!

My favourite has always been with the Advent Carol, "The Angel Gabriel":​

The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame
"All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

Originally this carol was Basque, so is quite a rarity...

This remains my favourite Advent Carol (soon to be replaced by Christmas Carols), but when we sing it I am unable still to avoid giving a faint smile as we sing "most highly favoured lady"; of course, I am remembering the alternative version : "most highly flavoured gravy...." Ah! The joys of childhood!

What is your favourite carol, and what is the "alternative"...we might make quite a compilation!

[cornishmaid1961]

Well there's the two old classics ...

We three Kings of Orient are,
One in a taxi, one in a car,
One on a scooter, beeping his hooter,
Following yonder star.

and

While shepherds washed their socks by night,
And hung them on the line,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And said 'Those socks are mine !

[madelaine]

While Shepherds washed their socks by night
all seated round the tub
a bar of sunbeam soap came down and they began to scrub

Hark the Herald Angels sing
Beecham Powders just the thing.

[cambrensis]

Great! I had different versions of those in mind (not seen/heard yours before)..

"Flogging chocolate, tuppence a bar,
Matches seven pence, fags eleven pence,
Oh what a price they are!"

and...

"All seated round the tub.
The Angel of the Lord came down
And bade them rub and scrub."

So now I have some extras for my collection! Thanks!

[cambrensis]

Hahaha! With us it was...

"Beecham's Pills..."


Loved the sunight soap too!! Thanks!

[cambrensis]

Just remembered another:

"Oh Come, all ye Faithful!
There's butter in the Maypole!"

This was a reference to wartime rationing. The "Maypole" was a nationwide grocer, found in most towns.

[madelaine]

Hahaha! With us it was...

"Beecham's Pills..."


Loved the sunight soap too!! Thanks!

Yes, of course it should have been sunlight - as in Port Sunlight..

[Anniemcc2]

We four lads of Liverpool are
John in a taxi
George in a car
Paul on his scooter
Tooting the hooter
Following Ringo Starr!

[Anniemcc2]

From my Spinners Christmas LP:

Hark the Herald Angel sings
Beecham's pills are just the thing
They are gentle, they are mild,
Two for a man and one for a child
If you want to go to heaven
You must take a dose of seven
If you want to go to hell,
Take the ruddy box as well.

[cambrensis]

Yes, of course it should have been sunlight - as in Port Sunlight..

Not meant as a correction! I just happened to misquote you, maybe as I remember the brand!