It never ceases to amaze me how much we sing without understanding the words. One instance which stays with me was taking part in a performance of Carmina Burana in Yorkshire in which the most rumbunctuous singers of the Drinking Song were a number of ministers from the Methodist strongholds up the valleys – absolutely teetotal, of course.  To this day I wonder if they knew what they were singing about.

So to sing, as we did last night in the carol “Sir Christemas”, “Wherefore sing we at a brayde” set me thinking that, as I had no idea what a brayde might be, I should try and find out.

The Internet is a wonderful thing.  Click here and there is an explanation that “at a brayde” can mean in an instant or immediately, a usage from the times of Chaucer.  The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary refers to to it as a corruption of the word “braid”, giving several possible meanings including that above, and also with fervour or with passion. Both meanings could apply.  I am sure Carlos will be delighted with both – as he is always exhorting us to sing both immediately, ie with his beat, and with full expression.