Last night I went to one of my favorite annual traditions, caroling with the Terre Roche and the Caroling Carolers. There were two first yesterdays, the first time in 45 years of the CCs caroling that it rained, and the first time since I friended Terre Roche on Facebook and once again started going every year that I got there after Terre and even some of my friends; I hit two delays on the train. Fred, Gidge, Laura, David, and Alex were all their when I arrived. Katherine and Deb arrived after I did. Nobody new joined me this year, I’ll blame the rain. They all started going because of me; introducing them to the glories of caroling under the arch at Washington Square is a mitzvah I’m proud of. Next year you should come too, it’s good for your soul and mental health.
There was an exciting change, new lyric sheets! The font was much larger, I could read them! There was an accurate table of contents! I have to get my camera phone fixed. I didn’t get any pictures. I’d have liked one of the table of contents so you can see what we sang.
We always start with Joy to the World and end with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. In between there are a combination of religious and secular carols. It’s a funny thing but this Jewish devout atheist loves the religious ones. It took me a long time to get past the praising of Jesus but I did. The melodies and poetry are divine. I get to sing in Latin. I wonder how much of what people think of as religious spirit is just a reaction to the music and communality? One highlight is always our rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. There is no lyric sheet and no one assigns parts, yet somehow we pull it off. I wonder around looking for the parts I can sing or harmonize too. Sure I suck, sure a lot of people’s singing suck, but the combination comes out beautiful. I love being near Katherine when she sings in the audience, Her midrange was horse but her soprano was beautiful. She held up the high end for my friends. I held up my lyric sheet. Katherine brought homemade vegan chocolate tahini brownies. She was surprised that I loved them and had two as they were vegan. I had to point out that I object to vegetables, not vegan baked goods. Chocolate makes up for the missing butter.
This was a Christmas celebration but we made a Jewish goodbye. It took us quite a while to stop talking to each other and leave. Katherine took what she called “the creepiest picture” of me. She had me come over to where the lighting was right, standing on the lights that illuminate the arch.
You might think that the rain would put a damper on the festivities. You’d be wrong, they just made us damp. It forced us to crowd together under the arch, that’s a good thing, it made it even more communal. Come next year, no matter the weather. I’ve been there when the temperature was in the single digits. I’ve been there when it was warm and not wintry. I have never been there when it wasn’t magical. You’ll believe in peace on earth and good will towards all men.
That was it for the social part of my evening. After caroling I did what I often do, shopped at Trader Joe’s. Then I went home, made dinner and watched Babylon Five
Now to make breakfast and head out to therapy. Walking in the rain to the MetroNorth is not as enjoyable as caroling. I have an uber credit. It’s tempting to use it. I’ll see. Now to eat my bacon and eggs and drink my coffee. Those are magical in their own way.
Wise Madness 