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Have a festive singalong at home with Christmas Carols Karaoke

There's no getting around it: Christmas 2020 will be a bit different this year for many people, particularly amateur musicians. Music-making, especially singing, is a big part of traditional festive celebrations for thousands of people in the UK - whether that means attending a carol service, taking part in a Christmas concert or carol singing door-to-door.

Pianist and organist Wayne Marshall improvised incredible backing tracks for some of his favourite Christmas carols.

But with pandemic restrictions affecting all areas of the UK, most Christmas music will look and sound very different this year. Although the Government has said that , people are advised to stay outdoors wherever possible. Meanwhile audiences at indoor events, like carol services, are being advised not to join in with the singing.

But there's no reason why any of us should miss out on our festive singing fix. This year, sing safely at home with Radio 3's Christmas Carols Karaoke: five gorgeous traditional carols, played beautifully by pianist Wayne Marshall for us to sing along to.

Stream or download the backing tracks now on the 麻豆社 Sounds app. Or scroll down to watch Wayne's videos and sing along using the lyrics on this page.

Video: Away in a Manger

Watch and sing along with the piano backing track for this traditional Christmas song.

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
the stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky,
and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus: I ask thee to stay
close by me for ever, and love me, I pray;
bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Video: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Watch and sing along with the piano backing track for this traditional Christmas song.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him,
born the King of Angels.
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!

God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
very God,
begotten, not created.
O come, let us adore him...

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God
in the highest.
O come, let us adore him...

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born that happy morning,
Jesu, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.
O come, let us adore him...

Video: Once in Royal David鈥檚 City

Watch and sing along with the piano backing track for this traditional Christmas song.

Once in Royal David鈥檚 City

Once in royal David’s city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a Mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed;
Mary was that Mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall;
with the poor and mean and lowly
lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And our eyes at last shall see him
through his own redeeming love,
for that child, so dear and gentle,
is our Lord in heaven above;
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.

Not in that poor, lowly stable
with the oxen standing by
we shall see him, but in heaven,
set at God’s right hand on high;
when, like stars, his children, crowned,
all in white shall wait around.

Video: Silent Night

Watch and sing along with the piano backing track for this traditional Christmas song.

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heav'nly hosts sing "alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!"

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Watch and sing along with the piano backing track for this traditional Christmas song.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald-angels sing:
“Glory to the new-born King!
peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise!
Join the triumph of the skies!
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald-angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King!
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail the incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald-angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King!
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings;
mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald-angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King!