Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle {Robert Shaw}

As I have time today I will contribute to the Holiday by posting Christmas music that does not suck. There won't be many offerings as most Christmas music is indeed pretty dreadful. First out of the box is the late Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Chorus with their arrangement of "Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella." The loveliness of this old French carol allows one to forget momentarily that it is highly unlikely that there were any little girls named Jeanette or Isabella in Bethlehem of Judea. And they probably wouldn't be allowed to go running around with flambeaus. This did not dissuade the author of this traditional French carol much as concerns about historical accuracy did not deter the French from pretty much inventing the damn holiday in the first place.

Joyeux Noel!