Singing A Song
About Christmas
Bring your voices together. Make room for kindness.
A Christmas invitation to schools everywhere
For schools, choirs and youth organisations around the world: learn and perform Singing A Song About Christmas with our free resources. Make it part of a concert, assembly or classroom activity—and open a conversation about the people Christmas can leave behind.
Use the song to explore homelessness, loneliness, belonging and the difference kindness can make. If you wish, your performance can also encourage support for Crisis at Christmas. Fundraising is entirely optional.
Sing along with the karaoke film
On-screen lyrics and guide vocals help singers learn the words and melody. This adapted school version also offers a starting point for thoughtful discussion beyond the music lesson.
Watch the karaoke film on YouTube ↗ · Includes guide vocals
Teachers: please preview the film and choose the scenes and discussion that suit your pupils. The film uses AI-generated imagined scenes; it is a creative story rather than documentary footage.
Download the free song resources
Choose the files you need below. No registration or payment is required. The audio files are WAV recordings, so allow a little time for them to download.
Full vocal track
The complete song with backing and all vocals. Use it to introduce the song, rehearse together or practise at home.
Download full vocal trackBacking track
The instrumental accompaniment with no vocals, ready for your singers’ own performance.
Download backing trackHarmony vocal track
Backing with the main harmony vocal line, helping singers learn the additional part at school or at home.
Download harmony trackFestive lyric sheet
The complete lyrics in a colourful Christmas design, ready to print for rehearsals and classroom use.
Download lyric sheetMusic score
Piano accompaniment and the main vocal melody, for teachers who prefer to rehearse from a score or use it alongside the recordings.
Download music scoreIf a PDF opens in your browser, use its download or save button to keep a copy.
A film to start a conversation
Use the story, lyrics and images to explore what it means to feel safe, included and cared for. Adapt the conversation to your pupils’ age and experiences, with room for different views and the option simply to listen.
- Belonging: What helps someone feel welcome—and can a person feel lonely in a crowd?
- Understanding: What can we know from an image, and what might we be assuming?
- Kindness: What can we do together to help people feel included, and where is wider support needed?
Avoid asking pupils to share personal circumstances. Some may have experienced loneliness or insecure housing. Offer private support through your school’s usual pastoral arrangements.
Make it your own
- Listen and explore. Introduce the song and talk about its message.
- Learn together. Use the karaoke, vocal tracks, lyrics and score in the way that works best for your group.
- Share your voices. Perform at an assembly, concert or community celebration, with equally valued ways for everyone to join in.
The song grew from Laurie Lewin’s encounter with an elderly busker outside Baker Street station at Christmas. Amid the rush of shoppers, the sadness in his singing stayed with Laurie—and eventually became this song.
This Christmas give someone the support to build a life beyond homelessness
If your school wishes to fundraise, donations can go directly to Crisis. Learning and performing the song are free, whether or not you choose to raise funds.
Support Crisis at Christmas ↗