20 December 2006
Fascinating Festive Fact #20: There are somewhere between 3 and 33 syllables in each line of the average Christmas Carol
Cliff says:
I went to a carol service recently. I hadn’t been to one in ages and it was great. It really was, and I haven’t said or sung anything in church in nearly 10 years.
A few ground rules for carol singing, though, which I had forgotten. The word “heaven” is usually one syllable. Sing two and you’ll find yourself half a step behind the congregation. Same with the word “over” - one syllable: “o’er”. “Gathering”, though, that’s two, as is “fuel”.
“Gloria” is thirty three syllables and “Maria” is five, unless you’re singing West Side Story, in which case you’re in the wrong place. If that happens, try to pass it off like you did it on purpose and walk out slowly with your friends, snapping your fingers with intent as you make your way to the door.
I don’t mean any offence over the carol singing thing, honest. I found the carols beautiful and enchanting. Especially the Latin ones.
Outlandos d’amour harmonica plectrum dominos minibus....