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Good morning, Rusty!
A nice, bright, sunny day here!
And all the dog walkers were in festive mood, wishing each other a Merry Christmas!
A pleasant outing!
How are you feeling today?
Are the different antibiotics beginning to kick in?
You are presumably a little better, at least, as you were out so early shopping?
I have given up on the idea of supermarket (mayhem) shopping today.....
I am only just back from the park...I was dependent on my "lift" as to timing.
By the time I get ready and go to the shops - I have to walk there - it will be late morning / lunchtime
We still have stuff in the fridge and freezer.... and will be out for Christmas lunch tomorrow.
We shall survive until Boxing Day, when Sainsbury's will open at 9 am.
A good idea , don't you think?
Procrastination is the name of the game!
Thank you for the clip of "O Holy Night"...that was sung beautifully.
And here is Bing singing it also.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV1EGCYXoKA

And another topical favourite of mine by Bing...…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuE_DXrt2Js

Hello, Elle!
I am much the same.
Not going visiting, though.
Yes, I am sure you enough in fridge to cope.
I am the same, I did not get to butcher, so I think it will be a pizza for my dinner tomorrow.
Now, this is a mystery?
Surely the clip I posted was not "O Holy Night",
but "Carol of the Drum"?
I was going to ask you if you understood the ending, because I could not quite fathom it?
Thanks for Bing.
I always associate Bing with Christmas!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, that is a mystery, Rusty!
When I first clicked on the link, it went straight into "O Holy Night".........
Yet when I returned to it later to check, because you had said it should be "Carol of the Drum", that is exactly what I got!
BUT "O Holy Night" came on immediately afterwards!
Maybe somehow, the first time I played it, the recording "leapt" ?
Is that possible?
Yes, I enjoyed "Carol of the Drum" - or "The Little Drummer Boy", as it perhaps more widely known.
Yes, the end was a bit strange...why the couple ..and why the waving "goodbye"?
I looked for a Bing version of "The Little Drummer Boy", as you have made me all nostalgic!
But can only find this one of his singing with David Bowie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKoX0LMNlwI

Do you like it ?.......I am not sure......

Hello, Elle!
I suppose things like that happen with internets and stuff!
It was composed as "Carol of the Drum" by Kathleen (I forget her surname!) and the first to record it were the von Trapp family.
And it seems to have evolved into "The Little Drummer Boy" sometime later.
The ending, I don't quite get.
Most are leaving, and the little girl appears to be saying farewell to her parents?
Where is she going? And why are the parents staying?
Be interesting to find out!
I thought it was very well presented!
My preferred version is by Boney M !

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I knew it was recorded by the Trapp family singers, but had to look up the composer's name.....Katherine Kennicott Davis.
I think your idea of what transpired at the end of the recording tallies with mine......but I don't understand the concept?
Unless I missed something, Wikipedia does not appear to be any help.
I don't think I much like the Bing and Bowie version.
You didn't say what you thought of it?
I remember coming across it when trying to find some Bing to play at my father's funeral, fifteen years ago.
As you know, he was a huge Bing fan...... and I grew up listening to Bing!
We played "O Holy Night" and "Did you hear what I hear" for the processions into and out of the chapel!
Both were suitable, as the funeral was between Christmas and New Year.
I don't remember the Boney M version of "The Little Drummer Boy"....I shall look it up later....
Now I am going to wash my hair!

Good evening, Elle!
I think the folk had "come" to honour the new born king, left their gifts, and then were returning, whence they came?
But why did the couple stay at the end?
Intriguing!
I like the Boney M version.
I like the way Frank Farian produced their hits and I always liked lead vocalist, Liz Mitchell.
Liz is still touring, you know!

Here's the song!
Liz leading, Maizie Williams in the middle, and Marcia Barrett on the right.
I don't know the young man!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPBvSBRaLfo

Good evening, Rusty!
I have just been listening to the Boney M version of "The Little Drummer Boy"
Thank you for sending it.
Yes, I agree with you...it is superb!
I like it!
I tend to confuse Boney M with M People from a while back........
I also liked M People ..although I preferred to hear them, rather then watch their videos.
I especially liked "Search for the Hero".
Miss ATW is coming to see you today , isn't she?
Or has she already been?
You will be pleased to see her!

Hello, Elle!
Ye, it's a very good version of the song.
Miss ATW has been and gone!
So has my son!
And Misses O and La-Bamba are calling tomorrow.
So, that will be fine!

Hi, Rusty!
You are indeed having a lot of visitors this week!
And it will be especially nice to have Misses O and L-B coming on Christmas Day itself.
Our younger daughter phoned to say she will come to pick us up tomorrow, as my husband cannot drive at present.
That is very good of her.
She is coming about 11am.
We are looking forward to the day!

Hello, Elle!
A lot of visitors, indeed.
My throat's sore talking!
Yes, looking forward to the girls tomorrow.
They come to see me, then go to Gran's for their Chrismas dinner.
That's splendid of your daughter collecting you tomorrow.
You can't beat family, Elle!