The Barnsley Carol - Christmas Eve by Arthur Godfrey
A film by Fusion - Barnsley’s Cultural Education Partnership and Barnsley Museums, telling the story of a Christmas carol that had been lost for 90 years until we unearthed it in Barnsley Chronicle. As part of Fusion’s Festival of Joy Studio Bokehgo has worked with school groups, young people and local heritage groups to co-create a film for the people of Barnsley by the people of Barnsley as part of The Festival of Joy.
When Arthur's carol was published in the Barnsley Chronicle in 1933 he wanted it to be performed in Barnsley and District at Christmastide, please share this link far and wide and make his wish come true 90+ years later.
Last year we re-discovered a Christmas carol that was first published in December 1933 in The Barnsley Chronicle, the same month Barnsley town hall opened. This research led to us finding a song wrtitten by Arthur Godfrey, a bottle maker from Barnsley.
We recorded a version of 'Christmas Eve' a song inspired by the Christmas bell chimes rung by some churches at midnight on 24 December. It wasn't long until this YouTube video went viral.
Since last year we have researched the fascinating life of Arthur Godfrey and published an updated blog
90 years after 'Christmas Eve' was written it recieved it's first radio airplay on BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House on Christmas Eve 2023 by the wonderful Barnsley Youth Choir
Let us hear your versions of the song!
In 2024 we would love the song to become the most covered Christmas song of the year! If you are in a choir and are planning perform it please get in touch with us on email experiencebarnsley@barnsley.gov.uk or on the @BarnsleyMuseums socials.
If you're a singer or in a band we'd like to hear the Barnsley Carol in as many different genres and styles as possible. There's links to lyrics and other video's towards the end of this page.
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"We hope this carol will be sung and played through Barnsley and district this Christmastide, and that it will be appreciated that it is the work of a Barnsley composer"
There's a recap of the Arthur Godfrey story so far on our blog including a number of versions of the song from last year.