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06/12/2015

It's Saint Nicholas Day and Songs of Praise has festive features and carols galore from across the country.

35 minutes

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • John Stainer

    Come, thou long-expected Jesus

    Choir: Congregation of St AlbanÂ’s Church, Bristol. Conductor: David Ogden. Featured Artist: Richard Johnson. Featured Artist: Gavin Wells. Featured Artist: Simon Jones. Music Arranger: David Ogden. Lyricist: Charles Wesley.

    Tune:Cross of Jesus Composer:John Stainer

  • Traditional West Indian

    The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy

    Choir: Congregation at Hackney Empire. Featured Artist: George Acquah. Featured Artist: Marc Baptiste. Featured Artist: Chris Brown. Featured Artist: Andy Kydd. Featured Artist: Kenton Reid. Ensemble: Adventist Vocal Ensemble. Lyricist: Traditional West Indian.

    Composer:Traditional West Indian

  • English Traditional Carol

    God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

    Choir: Rochester Cathedral Choir. Lyricist: Trad..

    Tune:God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Composer:English Traditional Carol

  • Tim Hughes

    Here I Am To Worship

    Choir: Congregation of St NicÂ’s Church. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright. Featured Artist: Steve Thompson and Worship Band.. Music Arranger: Steve Thompson. Lyricist: Tim Hughes.

    Composer:Tim Hughes

  • Charles Bordes

    GabrielÂ’s Message

    Choir: The Swingle Singers. Composer: Basque Christmas Folk Carol. Composer: Charles Bordes. Music Arranger: Jonathan Rathbone.

    Composer:Basque Christmas Folk Carol

  • English Traditional Melody

    O Little Town Of Bethlehem

    Choir: Bristol Youth Choir. Conductor: David Ogden. Featured Artist: Westbury on Trym Parish Church Choir. Featured Artist: Richanrd Johnson. Featured Artist: Ruth Kenyon. Featured Artist: Luke Russell. Composer: English Traditional Melody. Music Arranger: David Ogden. Lyricist: Phillips Brooks.

    Tune:Forest Green

  • Wade F John

    O Come All Ye Faithful

    Choir: Choir and congregation of St DavidÂ’s Cathedral. Featured Artist: Daniel Cook. Composer: Wade F John. Music Arranger: Sir David Willcocks. Lyricist: John F Wade. Lyricist: Frederick Oakeley.

    Tune:Adeste Fideles

Music

  • Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus was performed by the congregation at St Alban's Church, Bristol.
  • The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy was performed by the Adventist Vocal Ensemble and the congregation at Hackney Empire, London.
  • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was performed by the Rochester Cathedral Choir.
  • Here I Am To Worship was performed by the congregationÌýat St Nic's Church, Nottingham.
  • Gabriel's Message was performed by The Swingles at St Mary Le-Tower Church, Ipswich.
  • O Little Town Of Bethlehem was performedÌý by the Bristol Youth Choir and the Westbury on Trym Parish Choir.
  • O Come All Ye Faithful was performed by the Choir and congregation at St David's Cathedral.

Stories

Noddy Holder

Neville John "Noddy" Holder MBE is an English musician and actor. He was the lead vocalist and guitarist with English rock band Slade, who had several hits in the 1970s and 80s. Holder co-wrote most of Slade's material with bassist Jim Lea.Ìý

Ìý

Rock legend Noddy Holder is no stranger to Christmas songs.Ìý As a member of Slade, he released one of the biggest Christmas pop hits of recent times.Ìý But Noddy is also a fan of the oldies too and his favourite carol is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

Ìý

Songs of Praise sent Noddy to York to uncover the origins behind this Christmas Classic.Ìý He meets conductor and Carol expert Jeremy Summerly to find out more about its medieval origins and pays a visit to The York Waits who carry on playing in the medieval tradition to hear how it might have sounded.

Ìý

Jon Clayton

Mouth painting artists (MFPA) member Jon Clayton, is a mouth painter who lost the use of all four limbs following a motorcycle accident in 1978.Ìý A Christmas gift of a painting set started Jon’s mouth painting career and after developing his craft he was accepted as a member of the MFPA – a group of artists who from birth, or through accident or illness, are unable to use their hands so instead hold a paintbrush in their mouth or with their foot.Ìý The MFPAÌý turns its members’ artwork into Christmas cards and gifts, and the funds raised give the artists a vital financial lifeline.Ìý Jon’s painting of ‘The Nativity’ has become one of the MFPA’s best selling Christmas cards world-wide.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Pam Rhodes
Presenter Noddy Holder
Series Producer Matthew Napier
Executive Producer Dave Stanford

Broadcast