One of the earliest forms of Carols by Candlelight began in the 19th century, when Cornish Miners in Moonta, South Australia would gather on Christmas Eve to sing carols lit with candles stuck to the brims of their safety hats. The tradition spread through Victoria and Melbourne

There was also a tradition of carol composition on South Australia's Yorke Peninsular, epitomised in the publication in 1893 of "The Christmas Welcome : a choice collection of Cornish Carols." . Composed by J.H. Thomas, W. Holman, Jas Richards, J. Coad, J. Hodge, T. Spargo. Published in Moonta, S. Aust.:  by A. Grummet, Bookseller and Stationer: This book is hard to find.

Music was a significant component of the Cornish heritage of the district. The composer Joseph Glasson was a music teacher at Kadina and well-known for his renderings of traditional Cornish tunes as well as his own carols and marches. There were a large number of choirs and bands in the district including the Moonta Philharmonic Choir and the award-winning Kadina Mendelssohn Choir. In 1906 there were over 100 entries for the first Moonta Musical Competitions, including four bands and four choirs. The competitions took place over eight nights. Brass bands were a feature of Cornish life, and in 1914 at Kadina alone there were three bands with a total of 60 members. During the First World War Band Sergeant Darcy Reed the son of James and Eliza Jane Reed, of Rosebank, Moonta, South Australia. led a band which travelled through England and France entertaining the troops. He was killed in France on the 7th of October 1918 and was buried in the Mont Huon Military Cemetry in Le Treport in the Seine-Maritime, area of France.

The second annual competition in 1907 had 48 sections, including solo, children, elocution, etc.   In 1911 The Mendelssohn Choir won a prestigious competition at Ballarat, as reported in the Weekly and the other local newspapers.

The Moonta Mines Male Voice Choir was formed in 1913 under the leadership of JL Davey. 

The Moonta Mines Methodist Church was clearly an important part of the musical life of the town, with its choirs and composing organists. In 1926 the installation of a new Estey organ rated a long article in the Weekly. (30 October 1926, p. 2) Oswald Pryor had been an organist in the church in his youth, and played for special services there during the 'Back to Moonta' celebrations in 1927, while Mr and Mrs JL Davey led the singing. (15 September 1927, p. 2) In 1939 the first Hammond organ in South Australia was installed in the church in January 1939.

In 1929 a 32 page book entitled "26 Celebrated Cornish Christmas Carols" was published in Kardina, South Australia by Joseph Glasson of the Mendelssohn Choir. A second issue was published in 1930.

CONTENTS: Come and Worship ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

Lo! The Eastern Sages Rise. ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

What Heavenly Music. ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

The Prince of Peace.  ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

While Shepherds Watched. ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

Shepherds Rejoice.  ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

Hark What Music.  ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

The Lord is Come.  ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

The Star of Jacob.  ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

Angels Proclaim.  ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

A Lucid Light   ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

Angels From The Realms Of Glory.  ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

Awake Ye Nations.  ( Traditional arranged by Joss Glasson)

Hark What Mean ( by Joss Glasson 1901)

Cradled in a Manger. ( by Joss Glasson 1916)

Now Begin the Blissful Theme. for male chorus, ( by Joss Glasson 1929)

Hark The Herald Angels Sing. for male chorus, ( by Joss Glasson 1903)

As With Gladness. ( by Joss Glasson 1905)

See Seraphic Throngs. ( by Joss Glasson 1883)

Bright and Joyful ( by Joss Glasson 1884)

Welcome, Welcome Happy Morn. ( by Joss Glasson 1903)

Hark What Music.  ( by Joss Glasson 1907)

Hail Sacred Day ( by Joss Glasson 1920)

Sing! O Sing! ( by Joss Glasson 1906)

Hear The News ( by Joss Glasson 1923)

Behold the Splendour. ( by Joss Glasson 1884) 

You can download a free copy of the book by clicking here Cornish Carols from Australia

The Moonta Orchestra was revived by Mr and Mrs Carl Thomas in 1929, and a Glee Club was also formed. (7 December 1929, p. 3) The Weekly recorded the death of local composer William Holman in 1930, and reported JL Davey's collection of Christmas carols by local composers. (18 January 1930, p. 4) An advertisement for Davey's collection appears in the newspaper in 1932. (19 November 1932, p. 4)

CONTENTS: Arise! Behold the glorious star (J. H. Thomas)
Awake, arise, rejoice, and sing! (J. H. Thomas)
Awake with joyful strains of mirth (J. H. Thomas)
Awake with joyful strains of mirth (Wm. Holman)
Awake, with joy salute the morn.  (Arranged by J. H. Thomas)
Calm on the listening ear of night (J. H. Thomas)
Hail, ever Hail (J. L. Davy)
Hark! What music fills creation ( Arranged by J.L.Davy)
Hark! What mean those holy voices? (Joss. Glasson)
High let us swell our tuneful notes (J. L. Davy)
It came upon the midnight clear (Arranged by J. H. Thomas)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come (E. E. Butson)
Mortals, awake! Why slumber so? (J. H. Thomas)
See seraphic throngs descending (J. L. Davy)
The new-born King. (Arranged by J. H. Thomas)
To us a child of royal birth (J. L. Davy)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night.

You can view and print the pages by clicking on this link J.L.Davey Carols

The Moonta and District Progress Association hosted the town's 13th annual Christmas pageant and Carols In The Square on Sunday 19th December.

The weather conditions were far from perfect but the rain held off and the winds abated a little to allow Moonta's Christmas Pageant to bring some special festive cheer to the town and especially the children. Many claim it was the best yet with all the colour and pageantry of over 30 quality floats with Christmas and storybook themes, plenty of lolly giveaways and many children dressed in a variety of costumes joining in the celebrations.

Click to see larger photo

A good crowd congregated at Queen Square after the pageant to take advantage of the food stalls and entertainment and some 100 remained on to brave the cool twilight conditions to enjoy and join in the singing of carols in the Square along with a number of talented local singers and choir groups. The Question is where any of the above carols sung? Maybe someone will let us know. E-mail.