The Workers’ Carol

The Golden Book of Carols was a big part of my musical life as a young child - from about September onwards I would be pestering to start practising the carols. My mother kept the copy she herself used as a child when she was having piano lessons and I still have it, complete with torn corners from turning the pages and pencilled-in directions and reminders in the music. Beautifully illustrated by Treyer Evans, it contains many old favourites and one or two less well known ones. This is The Workers’ Carol, words by Morris Martin, music by Paul Petrocokino, a beautiful melody that fits on the double flageolet. I lost my mum earlier this year and it feels very fitting to play a melody from her old book that takes me back to those early days of playing recorder duets with her. Also, I think it’s really quite satisfying that there is a Christmas carol that includes the words “assembly line“! (Sorry - can’t sing and play at the same time...) Merry Christmas if that is what you celebrate. Happy Yule. However and whatever you celebrate, I hope you have a peaceful and happy time.