We were a little low in numbers at the sing around, which meant each turn came around a little quicker than normal. Coupled with the fact I’d been busy all yesterday and this morning, it meant I was little less prepared than I’d prefer. Hurrah for an iPad full of songs!

I took my double bass but the first song I contributed, Frederick Silver’s The Twelve Days After Christmas, was mainly done by singing with very minimal bass support. I’ve got a nice chordal accompaniment for electric bass but it is mainly double and triple stops around the octave position so more of a stretch on the upright. As it came round again, I went for another one led mainly on the vocals, While Shepherds Watched to the original CRANBROOK tune (also known as the tune for Ilkley Moor Baht ‘at).

On my next go, I decided to offer up Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. However, I could only find versions from a couple of ukulele songbooks in a different key to where I’m used to singing it. The key was okay – dropped from C to G, I was in the crooning part of my range – but I’m sure there was a wrong chord in the bridge section.

On round four (and five and six) I stepped off the Christmas track. My fourth offering was the very unseasonal Wayfarin’ Stranger. I made a false start and had to stop and play a snatch of the melody to get back into the right track but, once I’m going, it suits my voice well (as long as I’m in D minor). Number 5 was Down in the Hole by Tom Waits, another gospel blues but much more up tempo and a chance to lean into percussive playing with lots of bounce, ghost notes and other additions.

Finally, I offered Bring Me Sunshine. Is it a tune for winter? To be fair, today has been quite bright but we could all do with a bit more sunshine at this time of year.