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Original poster

School nativity with obscure Christmas Carols - why?

90 replies

BrocolliFloret · 26/11/2021 18:42

DC are at two different schools and their nativities and Christmas concerts never include ANY traditional Christmas carols.

They’ve not gone secular - they still sing about the wise men, the donkey etc… but they have binned the classic carols and only use unknown modern hymns.

Anyone else find this is the case with their school, and does anyone have any idea why they do this?

Seems like a waste that they’re spending time learning and performing these dull unmemorable songs when there are so many amazing Christmas carols that would be much more enjoyable to listen to. Just me?

OP posts:
newmumwithquestions · 26/11/2021 22:12

Mine are doing whoopsadaisy angel. I’m looking forward to it!

fallfallfall · 26/11/2021 22:39

well if it wasn't for mn i would never had heard of "dominic the donkey", there are some cute ones out there.
but traditional does have it's place in my heart.

luverlybubberly · 26/11/2021 22:46

They buy the play and the music is written for the play. The kids probably sing the traditional songs in assembly and through those learned songs like Away in the Manger

My ds was an angel in whoopsy Daisy angel 12 years ago 😍

5foot5 · 26/11/2021 22:49

@MissHavershamReturns

It’s a shame because this generation won’t know most of the traditional nursery rhymes, carols or hymns as they don’t do them in nurseries/schools. I’m not religious but all this is part of a shared tradition that’s going to be gone.
This.

I am not saying it isn't nice to have the occasional novelty but surely that is the age where these things start to be absorbed.

I am not religious either but I enjoy a Carol service and hardly need to look at the hymn book or song sheet because the words have become ingrained since childhood.

akissbeforebed · 26/11/2021 22:52

DD2 was Whoopsie Daisy Angel 12 years ago - it was perfect casting for her. I'm glad that one is still doing the rounds.

miltonj · 26/11/2021 23:07

We did this some years when I was in primary school in the 90s so not a new thing.

Caliexpidocioussuper · 26/11/2021 23:14

Every primary school I’ve ever worked in has done the lovely funny nativities in KS1 and lower KS2 and then a full on traditional carol concert in year 5 and 6.

UndertheCedartree · 26/11/2021 23:21

In my DD's nativity they do a mixture of traditional songs and new ones. The new ones don't tend to be 'dull' though. But I'm just jealous you are having your nativity. My DD's school are not doing it again this year. Sad Covid is rife in the school, tbf. Choir are having to practice for Young Voices outside! Just hoping that will go ahead. I miss going to see her in a show.

Downton57 · 26/11/2021 23:23

It always amazed me that children came into reception without knowing nursery rhymes. Shouldn't parents be teaching those? And school shouldn't really be the place for traditional carols to be taught either. Kids used to learn those by going to Sunday School/church. I don't think schools can be expected to keep traditions like those alive when nobody else is making the effort!

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 26/11/2021 23:23

Ooh - does it include that one: It was on a stormy night… and all the angels sang for him. And heavens’ bells all rang for him or something like that?? I love ❤️ that one.

Downton57 · 26/11/2021 23:25

It was on a starry night. Love that one too.

Grayskelly · 26/11/2021 23:25

When DC where little I went to a play group run in by evangelical Christians. It was the first time encountered the idea of Christmas celebrated as a literal birthday for Jesus, with happy birthday and a cake with candles. I never dared ask how many candles go in the cake.
I'm with the op on modern carols. Most are so forgettable and awkward.

Justajot · 26/11/2021 23:26

As long as it's not "The Grumpy Sheep" you're fine. That one was dirge and I can't understand why anyone would choose it.

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 26/11/2021 23:26

Yes!! Starry!!

Grayskelly · 26/11/2021 23:27

Actually, I don't know if it counts as a modern carol, but Bob Dylan's 'must be Santa' is a huge favourite.

UndertheCedartree · 26/11/2021 23:31

@Downton57

It's because the teachers need backing music. In the olden days there was usually a local lady who'd come in and play the piano or one of the teachers could play and there was plenty of rehearsal time. But nowadays teachers have to squeeze the nativity into ever shorter time slots and tend to rely on CDs with backing music and ready-made scripts. If you want traditional carols, church is the place.
Maybe this is why our nativity has some traditional carols as the music is played by the Orchestra. Also it is rehearsed in after school clubs. Orchestra do the music, Choir sing the carols/songs and Drama club does the acting.
UndertheCedartree · 26/11/2021 23:33

I have to say it brings a tear to my eye when they sing Away in a Manger!

UndertheCedartree · 26/11/2021 23:35

@Dontfuckingsaycheese - I bloody love that one too!

BubbleCoffee · 27/11/2021 00:59

It was the first time encountered the idea of Christmas celebrated as a literal birthday for Jesus, with happy birthday and a cake with candles. I never dared ask how many candles go in the cake.

Grin
PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 27/11/2021 01:12

@Justajot

As long as it's not "The Grumpy Sheep" you're fine. That one was dirge and I can't understand why anyone would choose it.
That one was going over 20 years ago ("baa baa grump") along with The Bossy Christmas Fairy and The Littlest Angel.
CaptainMyCaptain · 27/11/2021 08:21

@Grayskelly

Actually, I don't know if it counts as a modern carol, but Bob Dylan's 'must be Santa' is a huge favourite.
First released in 1960 sung by Mitch Miller.
CaptainMyCaptain · 27/11/2021 08:23

@UndertheCedartree

I have to say it brings a tear to my eye when they sing Away in a Manger!
After 30 odd years of teaching it never failed to make me cry. We sang this as well as using the modern scripts. it isn't strictly either/or.
Original poster
BrocolliFloret · 27/11/2021 08:28

I love seeing the little ones do their plays, but not sure how you all are following them enough to find them funny.

With little kids the speaking lines are not usually audible so the plot doesn’t come across at all (Mary was knitting something in one and there was a talking bird in another, luckily there was a baby Jesus at the end).

It’s still cute watching them sing and do the dance moves, but I would love them even more if the songs were recognisable.

OP posts:
Wellthatsit · 27/11/2021 08:35

Young children have a limited vocal range. They might be using songs specifically written for junior

RedToothBrush · 27/11/2021 08:38

All 'traditional' Christmas Carols were new at some point and eventually caught on. Why can't we have a bit of difference to the 'old faves' or god forbid use some new songs?

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer was only invented in 1939 when someone wrote a book and the song wasnt a hit in 1949.

Christmas carols have been around since about the 12th or 13th century. I'm pretty sure many from back then have long since fallen out of favour simply because they don't capture the imagination or resonant with a new generation.

I find the idea that we should stand still and have to follow a compulsory list of approved songs pretty bizarre.

Why the shouldn't kids sing different Christmas songs and perhaps create new 'traditional' ones?