As the festive season runs, nay gallops, towards us, I thought I would include this little number I wrote about 4 years ago for friend of mine who runs a pre-school playgroup and decided to surprise the parents by having a Carol Service.  The thoughts are deep and I think they become a lot stronger when sung by that age group... Out of the mouth's of babes etc.

Here are the three verses in a more readable layout

Verse 1

On a cold winter's day, when it's snowing outside

And the children are playing by the old fireside,

The festive cheer brings peace to all of mankind.

Verse 2

Tho' praises are sung, on deaf ears they fall.

Bombs are still raining, shots are fired at all

As men try to bring peace, to the rest of their fellow mankind

Verse 3

It's not in the food, nor the presents we get,

It comes from the heart, tho' we tend to forget

That Christmas time is for remembering our Saviour's birth.

Here are a few simple jigs and a couple of instrumental pieces for you to play with.  To get a larger version of the dots, click on the picture.  They are all Acrobat format.

Cleo's Capers was written a good few years ago when our youngest house cat went through a second kitten-hood at the age of 15.

Hang the Monkey is my own dedication to the Town Father's of Hartlepool who allegedly hanged a monkey as a spy from a French warship.  To ease the confusion, think powder-monkey, a young boy who ran around below decks during a battle supplying the different guns with the charges for their cannon.  Sort of takes away the romance a bit doesn't it?

Durham Market Day sums up the bustle of the outdoor market just in front of the Town Hall, I would have loved to have seen the sights during the 1700-1880's with farmers bringing in their livestock as well as the ordinary traders.

Judith and her Moggie brings back pictures of my partner relaxing in her chair, bouncing along to some tunes whilst her cat Tigger did his best to hang on to her knees with all claws out but trying not to draw blood.

The Raggity Man or Raggy Tie Man was dedicated to the box player of the Rams, Ian was an imposing figure at the head of the set.  The middle of Durham Market Place could turn out quite a vicious wind at the start and end of the season.  He got round this by attaching his old ties to the back of his jacket.  Good insulation againgst the draught and they gave a nice swagger to his habit of almost dancing along with the rest of the side.

Saturday Night at the Ice Rink was always a good place to be unless you'd had a couple of pints.  Happy days of sore backsides as you and your mates fell over each other trying to impress the girls.

Rattle your Jewellery.  Any venerable old Beatle's fan will remember the immortal line at one particular Royal Command Performance on British TV.  If you don't ... ask your grand-dad!

Cap'n Bob's Bouncin' Barque was quite a challenge.  How do you get three apostrophes in to a title?

Nevertheless, I seem to have managed it and turned a well known naval ditty into a lively dance number.  Listen out for the old sea dog.

Five and Three Quarters... Strange title, stranger tune, but surprisingly, Matt came up with a Border dance for it.  Ignore the 5/4 and 3/4 time signatures and simply count 4 beats all the way through.  If you get the repeats correct, you'll finish in time to the music.