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Christmas Eve, Gracechurch St.

by Mark Northfield & Gareth Forster

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1.
Christmas Eve, Gracechurch St. Travelled far, travelled alone The wind blows hard, the wind blows cold No place quite like home The building high, the doorway small Familiar tale, ages old Strangers shunned and ignored Between the City and the Shard The wind blows cold, the wind blows hard Careful eyes on a hurrying crowd The lights sparkle white and gold Trust is a gift, it can't be found Peace on earth, goodwill to all Raised by a real Jekyll and Hyde You can't be good if you can't be quiet Comes a point you have to leave Spare some change this Christmas Eve Io io io… Heavy shoulders, heavy feet The bitter wind, the whirling snow Halfway down Gracechurch St The train awaits, an empty home Sinking boats on a sea of debt Sickening tightness in his chest He can't go on here selling his soul He sees the youth sat by the wall Oh can you spare some change Mister can you spare any change Oh can you spare something please In the blue glow of a cash machine Free to use, the humble heart The kid looks barely seventeen Folds the notes with a business card Afraid to take it, can't refuse Asks the man what he wants to do 'Nothing kid, go buy some gloves And a better coat perhaps', he shrugs 'Merry Christmas, stay in touch' Io io io… Gloria… Hosanna in excelsis
2.
Good King Wenceslas Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about, Deep and crisp and even Brightly shone the moon that night, Though the frost was cruel When a poor man came in sight, Gathering winter fuel Hither, page, and stand by me. If thou knowst it telling Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling? Sire, he lives a good league hence Underneath the mountain Right against the forest fence By Saint Agnes fountain Bring me flesh, and bring me wine. Bring me pine logs hither Thou and I will see him dine When we bear the thither Page and monarch, forth they went Onward both together Through the rude wind's wild lament And the bitter weather Sire, the night is darker now And the wind blows stronger Fails my heart, I know not how I can go no longer Mark my footsteps my good page Tread thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winter's rage Freeze thy blood less coldly In his master's step he trod Where the snow lay dented Heat was in the very sod Which the saint had printed Therefore, Christian folk, be sure Wealth or rank possessing Ye who now shall bless the poor Shall yourselves find blessing

about

All proceeds from the sale of this single will go to CRISIS - the UK based charity for single homeless people: www.crisis.org.uk

PLEASE SHARE with friends, family and work colleagues, especially on social media. The more people we reach, the more we can raise.

If using Twitter, please include both my Twitter handle and the charity's one in your Tweet: @MarkNorthfield @crisis_uk

My (highly shareable!) homemade animation video for 'Christmas Eve, Gracechurch St.' can be found on YouTube. Check it out! youtu.be/z5vr7vCYBNg

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'Christmas Eve, Gracechurch St.' is dedicated to the memory of Richard Hanson. A generous, humble and loving man who gave so much to those in need, both in his local community in Sheffield and as a professional photographer for Tearfund.

Gareth and I found out that Richard had only weeks left to live (following a year's battle with leukaemia) the day I finished writing 'Christmas Eve, Gracechurch St.' From that point on I decided this was going to be 'Richard's song', and in a lengthy email a few days later I promised I would both dedicate it to him and donate any proceeds from sales to a charity helping the homeless.

That charity is Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people in the UK. They help not only with housing, but also with health, education and finding employment.

The festive season can be an incredibly difficult time of year for those with next to nothing. Every year, Crisis at Christmas provide companionship and support to tackle loneliness and isolation, and help people take their first steps out of homelessness.

Bandcamp enables donations of any amount when you purchase this single, so please feel free to give more if you are able.

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Thanks to all those who participated in the recording: you all helped make it what it is.

And thank you all for listening, sharing and buying.

Please take this song to your hearts.

Mark x

credits

released December 1, 2014

Christmas Eve, Gracechurch St.

Written and arranged by Mark Brown (aka Mark Northfield), incorporating words and music from the carols 'In The Bleak Midwinter' and 'Ding Dong Merrily On High'

Piano, recorder, drums, backing vocals by Mark
Guitar, main vocal by Gareth Forster
Violin by Charlie Brown
Cello by Tony Woollard
Choir by The ladies of Colliers Wood Chorus


Good King Wenceslas (trad.)

Original arrangement by Mark Brown (aka Mark Northfield)
Keyboards and vocal by Mark

Sound recording by Andrew Holdsworth for Method & Madness
Single cover art by Gary Collins for Absence/Presence

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about

Mark Northfield Reading, UK

Pianist and singer/songwriter from Berkshire, England. Also founder member of piano trio Cherry Mint Koala. Mark makes eclectic, melodic and slightly melancholic pop/rock, with prominent classical and theatrical influences. Often collaborates with other vocalists drawn from a variety of genres. Somewhat unpigeonholeable. ... more

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