Baby Jesus Sleeps  by Gavin Reid - 7 to 12 yrs - KS2  (3m 12s)

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Theme - Christmas, Nativity, birth of Jesus

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Content - This song paints the picture of the manger scene in the most beautiful way, beginning with a lyrical duet, then swelling into a choral section with stunning harmony and counterpoint. The second and third parts are very easy to learn yet wonderfully effective, making this a lovely piece for inclusion in Christmas concerts and ideal for choir repertoire.

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This song features in the 10-song cantata 'Bells Ring Out'

Before The Dreamtime  by John Gleadall  -  7 to 11 yrs   (2m 45s) 
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Theme – Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime story, Guthi-Guthi, digeridoo
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Content –  This song is based on an Aboriginal creation story from Ngiyaampaa country. A version told by ‘Aunty Beryl Carmichael’ can be found online. Aboriginal creation stories tell of the Dreamtime, which is the time before creation began. Dreaming stories tell of the ancestor spirits who created the land and everything on it. The Wongutha are an Aboriginal tribe.

‘Before The Dreamtime’ features in the KS2 musical ‘The Button Box’

Bells Ring Out by Gavin Reid - 7 to 12 yrs - KS2  (3m 12s)

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Theme - Christmas, celebration, Nativity, praise

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Content - The title number of a 10-song cantata, 'Bells Ring Out' is a lively, joyful number to include in a Christmas concert. The simple harmony and couterpoint parts make this song a valuable addition to school choir repertoire.

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'Bells Ring Out' from the cantata 'Bells Ring Out'

Beneath The Stars by Gavin Reid - 7 to 13 yrs - KS2, KS3  (3m 20s)

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Theme - Christmas, Carol concerts, Nativity, Jesus, praise, faith

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Content - A beautifully lyrical Christmas song, ideal for carol concerts. The simple harmony and counterpoint parts make this song a valuable addition to school choir repertoire.

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'Beneath The Stars' is featured in the cantata 'Bells Ring Out'

Three favourite carols - Age 7 to 13yrs - KS2  

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Theme - Christmas, celebration of the birth of Jesus

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Content - Three classics ideal for schools and choirs - traditional favourites for a Christmas carol concert.

• Ding Dong Merrily On High
• Good King Wenceslas
• While Shepherds Watched

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These carols are from our popular 'Sing Carols' CD 

Three Christmas songs - Age: 3 to 7 yrs - Early Years, KS1  

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Theme - Christmas, celebration of the birth of Jesus, Nativity

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Content - Three sweet Christmas songs, ideal for inclusion in an infant nativity.  The first two are extremely catchy, and particularly popular with this age group.  The third song is a lovely setting of the traditional classic 'Away In A Manger', a perennial favourite for the crib scene. 

• Dancing About In The Straw
• Follow That Star
• Away In A Manger

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'Dancing About In The Straw' is featured in the best-selling 'Wriggly Nativity'

'Follow That Star' is featured in our song collection 'Sing Christmas'

Three Christmas songs - Age: 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  

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Themes - the Christmas Story, three wise men, Nativity, excitement, anticipation

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Content - Three great songs for juniors to sing at Christmas concerts. The first considers the different stories that are told at Christmas time, stories of Santa and Rudolph, the 'narrative' of the commercial Christmas season, and the story of Jesus' birth in a place where there is 'no tinsel there at all'.  The second song is a quirky one, sung from the point of view of one the camels carrying the three wise men; the third is a song to express excited anticipation of Christmas festivities. 
The simple harmony and counterpoint parts in these songs make them a useful addition to school choir repertoire. 

• Tell Me A Story
• Melchior's Camel
• Come On Christmas

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These songs come from the songbook 'Come On Christmas'

Three Christmas Songs - age 7 to 12 - KS2  

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Theme - Christmas, joy, Nativity, praise, love, giving

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Content - 'Bells Ring Out' is a joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus. 'Gabriel's Message' is a beautiful song about the annunciation, expressing joy at the blessing that Mary is given, to bear the Son of God. 'Christmas Gold' is about waking up on Christmas morning, and the true 'gold' of Christmas being to do with giving and love.  

Three excellent songs, each with simple harmony and counterpoint parts that make them a valuable addition to school choir repertoire.

• Bells Ring Out
• Gabriel's Message
• Christmas Gold

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'Bells Ring Out' is featured in the cantata 'Bells Ring Out'
'Gabriel's Message' is featured in the cantata 'One Bright Star'
'Christmas Gold' is featured in the song collection 'Sing Christmas'

Three Christmas Songs - Age 5 to 8 - KS1  

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Theme - Christmas, Santa Claus, anticipation, Nativity, three wise men, light, hope 

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Content - Three adorable songs for this age group to sing, all of which have proved firm favourites in many schools!  'Wonderful Father Christmas' has a Disney feel to it, and expresses the excitement of anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus with lots of gifts. 'Bumping Up And Down On A Camel' is a great song to include in a Nativity presentation, guaranteed to raise a smile!  Finally, 'Shine Away' is a lovely song about the light and hope that Christmas brings to the world. 

• Wonderful Father Christmas
• Bumping Up And Down On A Camel
• Shine Away

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Wonderful Father Christmas is from 'A Christmas Recipe'
Bumping Up And Down On A Camel is from 'A Wriggly Nativity'
Shine Away is from 'Jesus' Christmas Party'

Can You See The Bright Star Shining   by Nick Perrin  -  5 to 10 yrs  
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Theme – Nativity, the Christmas star, celebration

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Content – ‘This is what we’ve been waiting for: Christmas come tonight!’  A lovely upbeat song for the ‘angels and shepherds’ scene in a Nativity – very catchy!

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Can You See The Bright Star Shining   is taken from the Nativity musical ‘Little Angel Gets Her Wings’

Christmas Is Here   by John Gleadall  -  7 to 11 yrs 

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Theme – Christmas, celebration in every generation.

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Content –  An exceptionally Christmassy song!  Very effective divided chorus singing, easy to teach and learn, ‘Christmas Is Here’  is a favourite with many in this age group. 

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Christmas Is Here   is taken from the songbook ‘Here Comes Christmas’ 

Christmas Joy  By Helen Mitchell  - 7 to 13yrs - KS2, KS3  (2m 41s)

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Theme - The excitement and joy that Christmas brings, celebration of Jesus' birth, winter

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Content - This song has an exceptionally Christmassy ‘feel’ in both lyrics and music, so makes a great addition to an end of term concert.  A wintery scene is set as the backdrop for Christmas shopping, and the song ends with Christmas stockings hanging by a warm fireside glow and a sparkling Christmas tree – all with the aim of celebrating a special birth. The harmony parts make this song very suitable for choir use.

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'Christmas Joy' features in the songbook  'Here Comes Christmas'

Ever Wonder by Julie Newcombe - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (2m 38s)
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Theme - the journey of life, adventure, curiosity, attempting new things, awe and wonder, perseverance, hope

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Content - A great song for Y6 children, about to move on to new schools.  As they transition from KS2 to KS3, this song poses lots of questions:  'Ever question what your life is for?  What's beyond the next exciting door?'  
A lovely memorable song that encourages children to see life as an adventure.  With its simple structure, 'Ever Wonder' is very easy to teach. The optional harmony part is particularly effective, and there is a great lift with the key change at the end.  Recommended for general singing or choirs, but as a unison song  it is also very suitable for PSHE and assembly purposes.

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Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining  by Ruth Kenward - 7 to 13yrs - KS2, KS3  (2m 38s)
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Theme - Finding positives in bad times, optimism, patience, perseverance

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Content - An upbeat, feel-good song with a great hook, that encourages us to look for rays of hope in bad times.  Behind the clouds the sun is always shining!  Great for general singing purposes as well as PSHE and assembly.

This song has a partner story in 'Assemblies Alive KS2', which contains 14 other songs and stories too.

'Everyone's In the Stable' by Ruth & John Kenward - 6 to 9 yrs - KS1, KS2  (1m 32s)

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Theme - Nativity, manger scene, celebration

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Content - Everyone's in the stable - shepherds, angels, donkeys, cows, sheep... and the bells will ring: 'ding, dong, ding!'  A very joyful, catchy and effective song to celebrate the birth of Jesus, perfect for this age group.  There is an infectious energy about the music that will quickly make it a firm favourite - enjoy! 

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This song features in infant Christmas musical 'I-Spy Christmas'

Adrian Pearson - Age 5 to 9 yrs - KS2  (2m 50s)

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Theme - The journey to Bethlehem, nativity

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Content - Five little angels, four sleepy shepherds, three very wise men, and two more (Mary and Joseph) are all on the way to Bethlehem.  When they get there, one little baby (Jesus!) is born!  An easy counting song for Christmas, with the option of building up into three parts in each verse making this ideal for infant or lower junior choir. 

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This song features in the songbook 'Here Comes Christmas'

Gabriel's Message by Robert Legg & Stella Vassiliou - 7 to 13 yrs - KS2, KS3  (3m 30s)

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Theme - Christmas, Annunciation, Nativity, joy

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Content - Gabriel tells Mary that she is to have God’s child.  Beautifully written, with a lovely melody and simple harmonies, this is a great piece to perform at Christmas.  Ideal for young choirs and carol concerts, with verse one being an excellent solo opportunity (Angel Gabriel).

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Gabriel's Message from the cantata 'One Bright Star'

'Glory To God' by Gerry Page & Ruth Kenward - 7 to 13 years - KS2, KS3  (2m 12s)

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Theme - Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, joy, praise, gospel

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Content - This song is ideal for the shepherds’ scene in a nativity, as the angels bring the news. Hallelujah!  The song is very simple to learn, and with its rousing gospel feel, children find it very uplifting to sing. One of our singers described it as making her feel ‘bubbly inside’! 
While even the youngest of children can sing the main melody, the optional second and third parts are very easy to learn and exciting for older children to sing.

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This song features in the songbook 'Here Comes Christmas'

'Glory To God' by Gerry Page & Ruth Kenward   5-7 years   (2m 12s)

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Theme - Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, joy, praise

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Content - This song is ideal for the shepherds’ scene in a nativity, as the angels bring the news. Hallelujah!  The song is easy to learn and - with its rousing gospel feel - children find it very uplifting to sing.  One of our singers described it as making her feel ‘bubbly inside’! 

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This song features in the musical 'Noisy Nativity'

Hosanna Jesus - by Nick Perrin - Age 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (2m 22s)
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Theme – Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, Easter, Hosanna
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Content - The crowds lining Jesus’ way into Jerusalem call out to him: ‘Hosanna!  Save us, Lord!’  A powerful song to open an Easter service or assembly for juniors.  Simple harmonies (optional) make this a great Easter song choice for junior choirs.

This song features in the Easter cantata 'Roll Back The Stone'

If You Don't Know The Way by John Gleadall - age 7 to 13 yrs - KS2, KS3  (3m 16s)

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Theme - Christmas, Jesus, Nativity, spiritual journey

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Content - The story of the nativity told in a fresh, original way that points people towards Jesus now.  ‘If you feel lost at Christmas time … follow the shining star!’  Ideal for young choirs and carol concerts, with very simple harmony and counterpoint.

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'If You Don't Know The Way' features in songbook 'Come On Christmas'

In The Race Of Life by Ruth Kenward & Mark Dickman - 7 to 13 - KS2, KS3  (3m 17s)
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Theme - Aiming high, taking part, team work, embracing challenges, leavers' song, Olympics, sport
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Content - This song is about a race in which we all take part: the day to day race of life.  An inspiring song about aiming high, seizing opportunities and finding the inner strength to cope with the race.  Whether we're first or last, at least we're taking part!  The song builds to a powerful finish, 'In The Race Of Life' has a positive and encouraging message, which makes it great for use as a school song, and for assemblies.  Very effective harmonies also make this a good set piece for young choirs.

Just A Single Candle  by Jenny Schrag - 7 to 13 yrs - KS2, KS3  (3m 08s)
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Theme - making a difference, peace, tolerance, choices, hope, relationships

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Content - An anthemic song about the way we live, and the responsibility that each of us has to make a difference. The excellent lyrics make the song ideal for assembly, but the optional harmony parts and key change also make this a very uplifting song for choir performance. 

This song has a partner story and complete assembly on the same theme.  You can find this in 'Assemblies Alive KS2', which also contains 14 other assemblies, songs and stories.

My Feet Want To Dance   by Ruth Kenward  -  5 to 11 yrs  
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Theme – Spreading joy, sharing, feeling full of life, celebration

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Content – this is a delightfully exuberant song, guaranteed to lift spirits!  It is written in order to help children celebrate life and generate joy – and to encourage them to spread it.  The song modulates half way through, but with a linking phrase to make the key change easy to follow, even for very young singers.  Ideal for PSHE and assembly purposes, or for celebrating a special occasion. 

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My Feet Want To Dance  is taken from the Nativity musical ‘Babushka’ 

My King by Ruth kenward - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (2m 46s)

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Theme - Christmas, nativity, shepherds, spiritual journey, worship

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Content - A beautifully lyrical song for a nativity performance, sung as if by a shepherd boy at the time of Jesus’ birth.  The boy describes his long journey to Bethlehem and declares his devotion to his King. 

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'My King' features in the songbook 'Come On Christmas'

Now It's Time For Christmas  by Helen Mitchell - 7 to 11yrs - KS2  (2m 15s)

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Theme - Christmas, joy, excitement, birth of Jesus

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Content - This deliciously Christmassy ballad that combines the ‘feel’ of a contemporary winter celebration with the recollection of the birth of Jesus thousands of years ago. The first verse focuses upon Christmas decorations, streets full of people doing their Christmas shopping and the sound of carols in the air, but also reminds us to think of that first Christmas in a stable far away.  The second verse reverses the thinking, beginning with the events at Bethlehem, then coming back to the present day, with Christmas trees, Christmas cake, and the conclusion that it's a time to give thanks for all God's blessings.

The lovely harmony parts and Christmassy feel make this song particularly suitable for choir use.

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This song is also featured in the songbook 'Here Comes Christmas'

On The Road To Bethlehem   by Nick Perrin  -  5 to 10 yrs  
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Theme – Nativity, Christmas angels, church bells, birth of Jesus

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Content – With its upbeat, Christmassy feel, this song invites the audience in to the Christmas story. An ideal opening number for any Nativity performance.

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On The Road To Bethlehem   is taken from the Nativity musical ‘Little Angel Gets Her Wings’

One Night by Simon Donlon & Colm Flanagan - 7 to 12 yrs  (3m 50s)
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Theme – Angels appear to shepherds with news of Jesus' birth
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Content -  A lovely set piece for young choirs, guaranteed to get toes tapping!  Sets the hillside scene, shepherds watching over their sheep and angels appearing with great news. Simple and very effective harmony and counterpoint, with modulation adding great uplift for the last verse.  

This song is from the cantata 'One Night In Bethlehem'

Only One World by Nick Perrin - Age 7 to 11yrs - KS2  (2m 23s)
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Theme - Global unity, sharing, Harvest, citizenship, environment
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Content - An uplifting song on the theme of global citizenship, with an anthemic feel and inspiring message of unity.  It's also a song with a difference for Harvest time, as it talks about the harvest to be reaped after we've sowed "seeds of understanding".  An excellent choice for older juniors.

This song comes from the short musical 'Harvest Hope'

Roll Back The Stone by Nick Perrin - 7 to 13 yrs - KS2, KS3  (1m 50s)

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Theme - Easter, resurrection, hope, new life

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Content - A song about the hope that Jesus’ resurrection brings, as the stone is rolled away from the empty tomb. The seed of new life has been sown, promising lasting peace and freedom.  The song declares that faith can move mountains and roll back the 'stone', which (it is implied) still needs to be rolled back in our lives today.  Very effective harmony/counterpoint parts make this ideal as a piece for junior choir.

From the musical - 'The Gospel Show' and the Cantata 'Roll Back The Stone'

Shine Away by Roger Parsley - 6 to 11yrs - KS1, KS2  (3m 27s)

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Theme - Christmas, hope, love, light

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Content - A perennial favourite in many schools this lovely song is about the light and hope that Christmas brings to the world. 'Shine Away' is ideal for carol concerts, and makes a great set piece for junior choir.  It's also very suitable as the final song for a DIY nativity.

This song features in the musical 'Jesus' Christmas Party' and the songbook 'Sing Christmas'

Silent Night At Thy Birth  by Anita Gooda - 9 -13 yrs - KS2, KS3 (3m 21s)

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Theme - Christmas, Nativity, Jesus, worship
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Content - A beautiful new approach to the ‘Silent Night’, with a lilting new melody that gives a totally fresh feel to the traditional lyrics.  With wonderfully well-written harmony and counterpoint parts that are simple to learn, this song makes an excellent addition to school choir repertoire for Christmas. 

From the Songbook 'Here Comes Christmas'

Sing A Lullaby   by Nick Perrin  -  5 to 9 yrs  
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Theme – Nativity, manger scene, Christmas

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Content – A peaceful song for the manger scene in the stable at Bethlehem, with a lovely ‘middle 8’ section during which the shepherds and three wise men offer their gifts to baby Jesus. 

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Sing A Lullaby   is taken from the Nativity musical ‘Little Angel Gets Her Wings’

Sing The Love  by Simon Donlon, Colm Flanagan & Ruth Kenward - 7 to adult  (2m 33s)
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Theme – celebrating love on Christmas Day, nativity 
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Content - A beautiful two-part song, celebrating Love coming into the world. On a dark and drowsy night, a shining light appears to shepherds as angels tell of peace on Earth.  Although it's not a long song, it really gives young choirs something to get their teeth into, including a rousing Hallelujah section at the end.

This song is from the cantata 'One Night In Bethlehem'

Sing Ye Hosanna by Gavin Reid - 7 to 12 yrs - KS2  (3m 24s)

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Theme - Christmas, celebration, nativity

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Content - Joyful, exuberant and with an uplifting Gospel feel, this is a fantastic song for larger choirs in particular, inviting the nations of the earth to share the good news of Jesus, born in poverty for all of us.  Hallelujah sister!  Alleluia brother!  All together we are family.  

This song features in the Christmas cantata 'Bells Ring Out'

Sleep, Little Child by Simon Donlon & Colm Flanagan - 7 to 11  (1m 53s)
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Theme – Christmas, wonder at newborn baby Jesus

Content - A gentle, reflective song, pondering how this 'child of wonder' born in a stable will grow to be the saviour of the world.  Simple, lilting and peaceful, with a lyric that captures the moment just after Jesus' birth in a very effective way.

This song is from the cantata 'One Night In Bethlehem'.

Smiling Moon  by Tim Parsons - 7 to 13yrs - KS2  (3m 38s)
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Theme - planet Earth, the moon, space, beauty, guardianship, environment, nature, awe

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Content - This song expresses awe and wonder at the beauty of Earth, as seen from the point of view of the moon, which is imagined as a benevolent character watching over the world. Imaginative lyrics are set to a beautiful, lyrical melody. Ideal if you have a strong soloist, but also perfect for general singing or lovely as a set piece for junior choir (unison, apart from a few bars of very simple optional harmony).

This song is featured in the songbook 'Songs For All Seasons'

Tell Me A Story by Ruth Kenward - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (2m 33s)

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Theme - Christmas, stories, Santa Claus, nativity

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Content - What stories do we tell at Christmas?  The song begins with stories of Santa Claus and then moves on to tv shows full of tinsel and celebrities, but ends with a complete contrast: a quiet stable on a starlit night. ‘No tinsel there at all. Tell me the story that I need to know.’  An unusual approach for a Christmas song - and very effective. With optional harmonies, this makes a good addition to repertoire for school choir.

This song also features in the songbook 'Come On Christmas'

The Echo Carol by Adrian Pearson - 7 to 11 yrs - KS2  (2m 21s)

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Theme - Christmas, nativity, joy

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Content - Tells about the birth of Jesus and asks 'Will you sing for this boy?' A very effective Christmas song for junior choir, which has an echoing two-part chorus that is simple to grasp.  There is modulation into the final chorus, giving the song a beautiful lift. Ideal for Christmas concerts and young choirs.

From the Songbook 'Here Comes Christmas'

When Seeds Grow  by Julie Newcombe & Ruth Kenward - 7 to 11yrs - KS2  (2m 29s)
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Theme - seasons in life, seeds, nature, growth, development and maturity, spring

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Content - This highly original song makes a parallel between seasons in our lives and cycles of growth in nature.  Suitable for PHSE or assembly, and ideal for Harvest time. The optional harmonies and counterpoint are simple to learn, making this a great song for choir purposes, as well as for general singing and assembly.

This song also features in the songbook 'Songs For All Seasons'

Wonderful Father Christmas by Peter Fardell - 5 to 7 yrs - KS1  (1m 36s)

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Theme - Christmas, Santa Claus, anticipation, excitement

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Content - A cute, feel-good song about anticipating the arrival of Father Christmas, and being unable to sleep on Christmas Eve!  An irresistible, toe-tapping little number, very cute and appealing for this age group.

This song features in the musical 'Christmas Recipe'