western australia

good king wenceslas

Not knowing when to stop

@JudyEv (347848)

Rockingham, Australia

December 9, 2024 5:52pm CST

I was responding to Marie Coyle about carolling and was reminded of my time in the brass band in Esperance, Western Australia. We were both in the band and, for a short time, I conducted the small group. I really had no qualifications other a solid theoretical background which none of the other players had. Each Christmas, we would play at a number of outlying tiny towns and even in a shearing shed or two. I always had trouble with Good King Wenceslas as it has so many verses. I couldn’t hear the singers and I’d lose track of the verses. But I needn’t have worried. As soon as we played enough verses, the players would stop and, if I wasn’t paying attention, I’d be left conducting on my own. I might have told you this story before but I’m getting old and inclined to repeat myself.

The photo is of our clubroom decorated for our Christmas dinner.

16 people like this

18 responses

@toniganzon (72548)

• Philippines

10 Dec

You could repeat the story over and over again and we would still enjoy reading it anyway. It must have been a very nice experience. I was merely a spectator when I was a kid. And I loved watching the carolers sing and they dance too. It was such a delight to watch. Add they performed in our house every year when my parents were still alive.

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@toniganzon (72548)

• Philippines

10 Dec

@JudyEv For sure. But we feel the Christmas season here as early as September. Even the malls would decorate the whole building with Christmas ornaments in September. Our country is known for celebrating Christmas the longest.

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

@toniganzon September is very early indeed. Do they put out Easter items early too?

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

When these things happen, it really starts to seem like Christmas, doesn't it?

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@kareng (69728)

• United States

10 Dec

I don't remember it from before if you did tell it before, so you are off the hook in my book!! Not that you would be ON the hook if you had repeated it!!

Great story!!

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@kareng (69728)

• United States

11 Dec

@JudyEv Always!

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Dec

We had some fun times in the band. I shouldn't really have been conducting but needs must, as they say. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

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@allknowing (141928)

• India

10 Dec

I did not know you were a band conductor too. Must be missing all that. Your Clubroom looks really festive

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@allknowing (141928)

• India

11 Dec

@JudyEv It is a God given talent.

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Dec

I wasn't at all qualitied but it was a small town and I guess I just knew a bit more than most of the others.

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@rebelann (113391)

• El Paso, Texas

10 Dec

Well, if you did tell it before I didn't see it. There are so many new lotters here that probably love reading about this .... I for one am going to look up Good King Wenceslas on youtube.

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

I'm surprised you don't know the carol. It's well-known here I would think but maybe only among the older generation.

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@rebelann (113391)

• El Paso, Texas

10 Dec

The tune is familiar but was renamed and the lyrics are different.

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@Ronrybs (20175)

• London, England

10 Dec

You could have had your Walkman plugged in and no one would have been the wiser until the singing stopped and you were still busy waving your arms about! Maybe that's what they thought!

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Dec

I learnt to very quickly turn the upbeat into 'scratch my head' action.

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec

@Ronrybs Some of the players would be smirking a little!

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@Ronrybs (20175)

• London, England

11 Dec

@JudyEv I'm sure that fools 'em all!

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@MarieCoyle (41593)

•

11 Dec

I am glad to know my post brought back a good memory for you, Judy. I am going to listen to the song in a minute.

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Dec

@MarieCoyle I'm always getting caught out with assuming this or that and this is another of those times. It was well known when I was a kid but there are much nicer carols.

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@MarieCoyle (41593)

•

12 Dec

@JudyEv I think people here in the US just enjoy the basic carols for the most part. Of course, since it's Christmas season now, all the radio stations are playing Christmas songs. I can't tell you how many times I have changed the station on the car stereo, so that I don't have to listen to that one completely stupid song--''Grandma got run over by a raindeer'' I absolutely think it's one of the dumbest songs ever.

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@MarieCoyle (41593)

•

11 Dec

I did look it up. I can't place the hymn, and it's a really old song.

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@snowy22315 (186280)

• United States

10 Dec

I guess you were having a high old time anyway..Cute story..

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

I was pleased when someone else took over conducting and I could go back to playing! lol Much less stressful.

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@RebeccasFarm (92716)

• United States

10 Dec

What a lovely time Judy

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Dec

We had some very nice experiences in the band.

@rakski (134029)

• Philippines

10 Dec

sounds like those Christmas performances in tiny towns and shearing sheds were filled with charm and a touch of humor. I am tone-deaf and would not hear any difference

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

The carol nights were a chance for communities to come together and celebrate Christmas.

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@rakski (134029)

• Philippines

10 Dec

@JudyEv that is true

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@xFiacre (13263)

• Ireland

10 Dec

@judyev That would have been hilarious to see!

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

They only caught me out once. After that I'd turn the upbeat into a 'scrach my head'. I was very gratefull to them for knowing when to stop. Who knows how many verses we might have played if not for their expertise??

1 person likes this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (63211)

• Centralia, Washington

10 Dec

Your clubroom is very festive and welcoming. I love that song. I love most anything bordering on folk music.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Dec

Our social committee does a great job with whatever they organise.

@LindaOHio (184082)

• United States

10 Dec

Thank you for sharing your memories with us. Very apropos. Have a good day.

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Dec

I have lots of good memories from those days.

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@aureategloom (11051)

• Bosnia And Herzegovina

10 Dec

i'm glad you shared this story with us, i don't remember reading it before. i don't know that carol, but i'm just listening to it now. this version is slow and i feel like every slow song is more difficult than fast ones

edit: nevermind, i found carol version and it is faster. still, you were right - many verses

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Dec

I'm surprised the carol isn't better known. It's a common one here.

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@Beestring (14993)

• Hong Kong

10 Dec

I don't remember you've told this story.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

I'm glad to hear that. It would have been some years ago if I did write about it.

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@AmbiePam (96401)

• United States

10 Dec

I don’t remember you telling it before. It’s a good story!

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

Perhaps we all have a certain amount of memory loss.

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@rebelann (113391)

• El Paso, Texas

10 Dec

I found it. The tune is familiar but someone has changed the lyrics here in the US.

Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

I found it interesting that a few people don't seem to know this carol. I assumed everyone would! lol

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@Juliaacv (52525)

• Canada

10 Dec

I remember that song, it isn't heard often today, such a good classic. The gathering room looks nicely decorated-never a dull moment for you living there is there.

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

Anyone of my era knows Good King Wenceslas but I guess there are new carols added from time to time and some of the older ones drop off.

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@wolfgirl569 (112691)

• Marion, Ohio

10 Dec

I would have loved to see you doing that

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@JudyEv (347848)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Dec

I had to be ready to pretend to scratch my head if my hand was up in the air.

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