We’ve seen an interesting variety of tunes, from classical to comedy, disco, soul and rock.

Here, for your convenience, is a complete list of the first year. Click on the week number to jump to the article for that tune.

Do you think anyone noticed that Monty Python expanded to a 5-week month? And that the Choral Tunes month was rather shorter as a result? That’s just typical of them!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these tunes as much as I have

The YouTube video I’ve chosen is special because it’s performed by a flash mob in a food court somewhere in America. It’s a pleasant contrast to the Christmas Carols being played right at the beginning of the clip.

Here’s a version on Amazon:

Handel: Messiah – Hallelujah Chorus

There are many versions on YouTube, but this one is my favourite so far:

Here’s another version on Amazon:

Old American Songs: I Bought Me a Cat

In many ways, the first section of this tune qualifies as a Building Tune – it keeps building right up until the choir starts singing.

As the Wikipedia says:

Zadok the Priest (HWV 258) is a coronation anthem composed by George Frideric Handel using texts from the King James Bible. It is one of the four Coronation Anthems that Handel composed for the coronation of George II of Great Britain in 1727,[Note 1] and has been sung at every subsequent British coronation, traditionally performed during the sovereign’s anointing.

Here’s a nice version on YouTube:

And here’s a link to a version on Amazon:

Zadok the Priest (Coronation Anthem No.1, HWV 258)

As always, the new month brings us a new theme, and this month our theme is Choral Music. My goodness, how have I not done this before now?

Late autumn last year I joined the Elmbridge Mixed Choir as a bass. I was just in time to start rehearsing for the Christmas concerts.

This year, a large percentage of the choir will be gadding off to Veneto in Italy (near Venice) to sing in a huge music festival. A late addition to our programme is ‘Jerusalem’, the popular hymn with words by William Blake and music by Hubert Parry (later re-orchestrated by Edward Elgar). Surely you don’t get much better credentials than that?

The Wikipedia has an excellent article entitled “And did those feet in ancient time“.

The words of Blake’s poem are:

And did those feet in ancient time.
Walk upon Englands mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In Englands green & pleasant Land

There are a couple of versions I’d like to point out to you on YouTube. First, a version from The Last Night of the Proms, conducted by Mark Elder, and using the Elgar orchestration (for some reason I’m unable to embed the video, you’ll have to click on the link instead):

http://youtu.be/UQ0oCmDXrVk

And another version with just organ and voices, but with the lyrics as well so you can sing along, should you wish

Here’s another version from the Proms on Amazon:

Jerusalem

Of course, the more astute among you will have noticed that this article could come in very handy indeed if anyone should happen to mention the word ‘matress’ to Mr Lambert:

Oh my goodness, now I’ve got a Lingering Theme which is cross-contaminating the new theme…

There are several versions I need to bring to your attention

First, here’s my favourite clip from the film (mainly because of the pre-amble dialogue):

Here’s pretty much the same thing without the amusing introduction, but with subtitles showing the lyrics. So we can all sing along. Which is nice

Finally, here’s a fantastic Lego version:

What’s not to love about that?

Here’s a link to Amazon for your shopping convenience:

Camelot Song

Still, it’s terribly amusing none the less

Here it is on YouTube:

Granted, it’s a rather short clip. So, to make sure you’re not feeling hard done by, here’s a bonus tune – “I Bet You They Won’t Play This Song On The Radio”.

Here’s the second song at Amazon:

I Bet You They Won’t Play This Song On The Radio

The Money Song features Eric Idle at his ranting bonkers best (second only to the rather marvellous Travel Agent Sketch – I can only encourage you to click through .

Here’s The Money Song on YouTube:

And here’s a version of just the song from Amazon:

Money Song (Monty Python Sings)

In fact, the YouTube link below has the sketch and the song. So this week you get bonus jollity as well as a tune Sometimes I spoil you!

Here’s a version from the Amazon MP3 store:

Eric The Half A Bee (The Final Rip Off Remix)

Hopefully we can visit some of the lesser-known but just as funny tunes by Monty Python. I’ll probably try and avoid things like ‘Always look on the bright side of life’, mainly because everyone already knows it.

Anyway, we’re kicking off with The Philosophers’ Song by the Bruces. The version I’ve picked from YouTube has a nifty animated lyrics. Which is nice.

Warning! The video contains swearing, and may be considered Not Safe For Work (or young people, come to that).

Rather pleasingly, the MP3 from Amazon includes the Bruces sketch as a pre-cursor to the song:

Bruces’ Philosophers’ Song