Outside the house near the corner of the Street the Band also played at Christmas.

Dad always gave them a ‘Christmas Box’ and they played the tune he asked. It was “The Mistletoe Bough” which somehow I didn’t connect with angels and the Manger, and Baby Jesus. The tune imprinted itself on my memory and even now, aged 86, I can sing it.

The mistletoe bough hung in the castle hall

And the holly branch shone on the old oak wall.

The Baron’s retainers were blithe and gay

And keeping their Christmas Holiday.

The Baron beheld with a Father’s Pride

His beautiful child—young Toval’s bride

While she with her bright eyes seemed to be

The star of that goodly company

Oh, the mistletoe bough,

Oh, the mistletoe bough. 

Then the next verses tell how they played “Hide and Seek”. The lady went to hide and vanished. 

At length an old oak chest that had long laid hid

They found in the castle, They raised the lid

And a skeleton form lay mouldering there

In the bridal wreath of the lady fair. 

Oh sad was her fate. In a sportive jest

She hid from her Lord in the old oak chest

It closed with a spring and her bridal bloom

Lay withering there in the old oak tomb. 

Oh, the mistletoe bough,

Oh, the mistletoe bough. 

We also sang hymns and carols. We all liked singing.