I asked the children to write their Christmas list - the stuff they really wanted this Christmas. I then asked them to pretend that they were one of the migrants displaced by war in the middle East - or they were a child in Paris (November 2015) and their Mum or big brother, or any close family member was involved in the terrorist attack. I then asked them to write another Christmas list. Suddenly the iPads and other consumer products were missing from the list. Here's what we came up with: Christmas is a window on a world of love and peace An annual reminder we want war and hate to cease We’d like to have a future of happiness and love We’d like to show the world the meaning of Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Open up the window and we’re sure that you will see The world is full of children who are just like you and me We only want a future and we can show the way We want the Christmas feeling everyday Christmas - A time of love and peace Christmas - A time for war to cease Christmas - Why can’t we live this way Christmas - Live Christmas everyday Just look through the window and we’re sure you will agree The greatest gift at Christmas is a loving family So families come together, unite in every land And we will make the people understand Christmas - A time of love and peace Christmas - A time for war to cease Christmas - Why can’t we live this way Christmas - Live Christmas everyday

A light hearted tongue twisting Inn Keepers song telling Mary and Joseph that they are booked solid - it’s Christmas for goodness sake! Piano parts and score included. Full demo here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aY9FtXgQR0 Contact me at musicals4kidz@icloud.com John Gleadall YOU DIDN’T BOOK IT IN ADVANCE AND NOW YOU HAVEN’T GOT A CHANCE AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WISER IF YOU LOOKED ON TRIP ADVISER ’COS WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY YOUR CHANCES ARE QUITE SLIM ’COS WE’RE FULL UP TO THE BRIM SO YOU’D BETTER KEEP ON LOOKING ’COS WE’VE TAKEN EVERY BOOKING YOU’VE REALLY GOT A MISSION TAKE A LOOK AT HER CONDITION AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY! YOU MUST BE OFF YOUR ROCKER ’COS WE’RE ABSOLUTELY CHOCKER AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY YOU MIGHT THINK THAT IT’S SENSELESS IT’S BECAUSE OF CAESAR’S CENSUS BUT WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY YOU REALLY SHOULD BE GOING CAUSE WE’RE FULL TO OVERFLOWING NOW WE’RE ABSOLUTELY CRAMMED EVERY ROOM IS SIMPLY JAMMED AND YOU REALLY OUGHT TO KNOW THAT WE’VE BEEN SLEEPING HEAD TO TOE AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY! ARE YOU REALLY OFF YOUR HEAD, WE’RE PUTTING SEVEN IN A BED AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY NOW YOU’LL HAVE TO STAY OUTSIDE BECAUSE WE’RE FULLY OCCUPIED AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY YOU REALLY SHOULD REMEMBER THIS IS BETHL’HEM IN DECEMBER JUST CROSS US OF THE LIST COS IT’S THIS BUSY EVERY CHRISTMAS IF YOU REALLY WANT THE TRUTH WE’RE EVEN SLEEPING ON THE ROOF AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY – I REALLY MEAN IT GOT NO ROOM TODAY!

This song is by John Gleadall and is from ‘Nanny’s Nativity’ (also available on TES resources) but it works just as well as a stand alone song - as it incorporates ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ you can get the very youngest children to join in. Get in touch if you would like instrumental parts : kidzmusicals@icloud.com

A wonderful new Christmas song by John Gleadall. A reworking of ‘Away in a Manger’ in a Gospel style with a great contrapuntal chorus with three melodies coming together to finish the song. This is a challenge - but totally worthwhile, the end result is superb! There is a short musical interlude in the middle, ready for an appropriate reading as a voice over. I’ve done this from year 3 to full church choirs. This is from ‘The Nativity Play’ - also available on TES resources.

Incredibly catchy song about the 3 wise men travelling to Bethlehem complete with harmonies and contrapuntal singing with two melodies that are easily sung. There’s an ethnic element to the ‘street beat’ rhythm. THIS REALLY WORKS AND THE CHILDREN LOVE IT!!! I’ve rescored this with easy guitar chords. The children can practice at home with the You Tube link and the learning aids on my website. Get in touch if you need help or more information, or wish to comment about the song.

A new song from 'The Nativity Play' (coming soon on TES resources) which highlights the relationship between Joseph and Mary. This can be done as a boy girl duet or as a boy girl duet with all singing the chorus = or simply have all boys singing Joseph and all girls singing Mary. A gentle piano accompaniment to heartfelt lyrics - see below: Joseph (boys) When you were lonely I stood by your side When you were frightened I helped you decide I watched you suffer I hurt when you cried I knew the truth So I made you my bride ( And) All the baby’s a miracle A sweet mystery And we will help him show the way Yes the baby’s a miracle A new History Begins from this moment today Mary (girls) Why I was chosen I can’t say I know Why you stayed with me When I thought you’d go We’re on this journey My Heart is aglow To know you are with me Just to know we can show (that)............ kidzmusicals@icloud.com

From 'The Nativity Play' - A different kind of Christmas song from John Gleadall. It takes some effort to get this right, but I promise you it totally works; the children want to sing it and play it. It’s a one finger ukulele song and a quirky arrangement with exchanges between boys and girls. I’ve been told it’s not ‘normal’ enough for juniors but I do it every year with year 3 and they just love it. Listen to the demo - you’ll smile. You've got a demo track a backing track and a lyric sheet - if you need any help with the uke part, please get in touch - I will put a lesson on You Tube if anyone requests it. kidzmusicals@icloud.com

The Shepherds meet the angels meet the wise men in a three part contrapuntal song with a Bollywood dance routine in the middle - just listen to it! Heavily influenced by Middle eastern music tradition with a splash of Bhangra. From ‘The Nativity Play’ coming soon on the TES resources site. Any questions or request, please get in touch at kidzmusicals@icloud.com

A dialogue in song between the Innkeeper and Mary and Joseph. There is a very simple one finger ukulele part (chord windows shown on the score). If anyone requests it I'll post a video on You Tube showing how to play it. The main feature is the grumpy Innkeeper who counterpoints the gentle melody with sharp ripostes - until the end of the song - but you know how it ends...... Ask for more information if required. This song is from 'Nanny's Nativity' John Gleadall kidzmusicals@icloud.com

This song has a beautiful, simple melody with lyrics which vary only in the gift - so basically the same (easy to learn) verse sung three times, each verse highlighting the gift brought by that King. There is a short musical interlude to allow the Kings to present the gift before the next verse is sung. This is from 'Nanny's Nativity' John Gleadall kidzmusicals@icloud.com

A Complete Nativity Play with songs suitable for year 2 up to year 5. There are VERY easy parts for the youngest/least able children plus more challenging parts for the more able children. The show comes complete with script, backing tracks and demo tracks. If you want to hack it about to suit your children, please do - the children are more important than the script. If you would like any key changes or extra bits - just get in touch, everything is possible. Lots of speaking parts (literally dozens) so you can do this with a whole phase or a whole year group. The 'Stable Song' can also be accompanied by ukulele. Exciting eastern style dancing plus a variety of choral singing - written by a teacher to suit the demands of busy teachers. Six brand new songs with an optional Megamix at the end. Please feedback your views - I'm thinking of putting a completely new finale song in instead of the megamix - would this be too much to learn? I don't think so..... The price includes performance royalties - and you can make a DVD or CD if you want to - just let me know please. John Gleadall kidzmusicals@icloud.com

A song written for year two pupils looking at seeds, sun, water, light etc. The year two children came up with the vocabulary they have learned whilst learning about seeds and how they grow. Feel free to add your own verses or get the children to write their own lyrics. The melody is quite 'bendy' and will adapt to different length phrases. Please feedback any good ideas!

A song sung by the families of three soldiers in the Gallipoli campaign - you'll have to listen to the song and read the full description in the downloadable document if you're interested - it's too complicated to explain in this space! It's 100 years since the Gallipoli landings. If you'd like to perform the song you'll have to get in touch and tell me what key - this is a challenging sing! I've demo'd it in Bm - but the score and backing track here is in Gm. This song is from my musical 'The Canterville Ghost'. There's a version on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE40AGRWPAE kidzmusicals@icloud.com

Whilst on a songwriting afternoon with the girls of a local junior school, we decided to write a song of thanks to the amazing Stephen Sutton. We thought we would record it and send it to him and his family. Sadly Stephen passed away before we could realise the plan, but the thoughts and ideas remained, so I have put them all together in this song - Make A Difference Every Single Day - which was his rallying cry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfJsA0k8weo kidzmusicals@icloud.com