Regional and historical carols from across England

"...each village had its own store of Carols, and nothing would induce one village to appropriate the Carols of another; thus it will be seen how great the number of these compositions must have been, and still may be....

In those of the Carols which I examined after writing them down, I found the harmonization to be wonderfully correct from the present standpoint.

Unless modern civilization has spoiled these happy hunting grounds for the musical antiquary, there should still remain a vast amount of unexplored territory which it would even now repay him well to visit."

English County Songs, 1892.

"Carols have a dramatic history - alternately promoted and banned by authorities of all kinds, their texts and music were often a target for high minded reformers. But despite every effort to discourage their performance, carols have also been consistently popular - loved for their humanity, resonance and the sheer enjoyment of singing them.

From their medieval beginnings until recently, carols existed simply as texts and were sung to any tune that fitted their words. Even today, in many parts of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, While Shepherds Watched is rarely heard to the nationally known tune Winchester Old, instead it occurs in dozens of different versions - including highly ornate settings like Pentonville and Lyngham.

This Garland of Carols takes its name from the sheets of words that local printers produced for Christmas in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It reflects the glorious profusion of words and tunes associated with carols from across England and the tradition of singing them in back kitchens, streets and pubs with enthusiasm and affection.

The music included in A Garland of Carols draws directly on Coope Boyes and Simpsons personal traditions - Jim and Barry grew up hearing and singing the elaborate harmonised versions of hymns and carols found in The Three Harks and While Shepherds in their families as well as in chapel choirs. Whilst Lester was a chorister in Derby Cathedral, singing the carols of the Anglican repertoire much of which was collected and developed by the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.


Phil Spector, eat your heart out! This is a real wall-of-sound Christmas album, a worthy companion to their excellent Hindsight.... The 38.45 of this made me feel a damned sight keener on the impending festivities than three months (and counting) of shop displays had managed so far. About as far from the school piano as you're likely to get."
Folk Roots Jan-Feb 99.


"With their roots firm in carol rich Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, it was only a matter of time before Coope Boyes & Simpson displayed this garland. On all but two of the fifteen tracks the protagonists plumb the depths and scale the heights of their tremendous vocal ranges in one, two and (Glory be to God) most often three-part magnificence. The Fraser Sisters contribute to Cambourne Nowell and with Georgina Boyes add their four penn'orth to a fitting finale - the Pentonville While Shepherds from Sheffield.

A Garland of Carols superbly illustrates the variety and richness of English folk-carolling and will satisfy the uninitiated and the veteran in equal measure."
The Living Tradition Dec-Jan 1998


"If you dread the onset of four weeks of canned, shopping mall Christmas music then this album's for you - this shows how it could, and should be done. The carol has a unique place in British folk music, combining as it does the most mystical of events through the most spectacular of imagery and narrative and this recording captures those qualities perfectly through a refreshing honesty of both style and content.... This may be a collection of seasonal material but it really is one for listening to all the year round. Highly recommended."
Folktalk, Winter '98.


"Not only do we have harmony singing of the highest order on this album, but on A Garland of Carols we are reminded of a rich musical heritage with some stunning versions of well known and lesser known carols. Living in and around South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire many Stirrings readers will be aware of this through our flourishing local carol tradition, but for many, this Coope Boyes & Simpson album will be a revelation in more ways than one."
Stirrings Dec-Feb 1998.


"Magnificent songs sung with the precision, clarity and excitement we have come to expect from Coope Boyes & Simpson. The harmonies and arrangements are terrific and their timing is immaculate. This CD is not just for Christmas, its to give pleasure all the year!"
Shreds and Patches, Spring '99


"The pick of English traditional carols performed in rich harmonies as they were meant to be. This should be compulsory listening at any time of the year."
Folkwrite, Jan-March '99


"Beautiful unaccompanied harmony singing of the usual high standard.... The quality of performance and delivery takes this well beyond the normal run of this type of release and it should appeal to a wider audience than might be expected. Definitely a Shire Folk winter favourite."
Shire Folk, Jan-April '99