We’re all used to hearing the same few carols each year – but actually there are many more local carols around the country and they’re often forgotten.

Many that we sing come from a book of Kent carols Arise and Hail the Happy Day researched and edited by George Frampton, and published by the Faversham Society (it’s number 124 on their list). However, we have identified some other sources too.

For information contact Gavin at 07985 522734 and gmatkin@gmail.com

Locally sung carols we have revived

Tune, harmony and text:

• Behold the Grace Appears
• Christians Awake
• Cranbrook
• Ditchling Carol
• Eythorne
• Hark! What Sounds
• Lazerus
• Lyngham
• Otford Christmas Version
• Pentonville
• The Seven Joys of Mary
• Shepherds Rejoice (Bolton tune)
• Sweet Chiming Bells
• The Moon Shines Bright

Tune and text (where available):

• Behold the Grace Appears
• Christians Awake
• Cranbrook
• Ditchling Carol
• Eythorne
• Hark! What Sounds
• Lazerus
• Lyngham
• Otford Christmas Version
• Pentonville 
• Shepherds Rejoice
• Seven Joys of Mary
• Sweet Chiming Bells 
• The Moon Shines Bright

Modern carol:

• The Pilgrim’s Way

Sounds (YouTubes):

• Behold the Grace Appears
• Christians Awake
• Cranbrook
• Ditchling Carol
• Eythorne
• Hark! What Sounds
• Lazerus
• Lyngham
• Pentonville
• Shepherds Rejoice
• Seven Joys of Mary
• Sweet Chiming Bells
• The Pilgrim’s Way
• The Moon Shines Bright

Popular old carols that are still sung today and which we also sing

• God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen, abc God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen YouTube: God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen
• Good King Wenceslas , with descant harmonies as noted out by KW GKW descant last verse, YouTube: Good King Wenceslas
• The Holly and the Ivy

Carols order 2019

Download printable lyric sheets without music here: Carol songsheets 2019.

I’d like to thank George Frampton, Helen Mitcham, Adrian Waters, John Moore and Kathy Wallwork for their help in sourcing this material, and to Kathy for the harmonies.