This Christmas, BANZAT has something really unique to share with you.
In November, a group of braille enthusiasts called the Awhina Braille Group got together in Auckland to talk about braille and share some braille Christmas cheer. One of the activities was to compose a braille version of The Twelve Days of Christmas song.
The group had a wonderful time composing, then singing, their new version of the song together, the lyrics of which are posted below. Doing this activity really helped to bring out everyone’s enthusiasm and passion for braille, and gave people a chance to share childhood memories and present-day stories of learning and using braille and braille equipment.
The song was then performed at the Blind Foundation’s Auckland Christmas party with a live piano accompaniment. Braille and large print lyric books were produced by the Accessible Formats department and given to staff on the day, so everyone was able to read the lyrics and join in with the singing.
We thought it was such a great idea that we wanted to share this with a wider audience. So two of our current BANZAT trustees, Paul and Chantelle, recorded a video performing the song, explaining the lyrics for people who may not be familiar with braille termonology, and showcasing some of the braille items mentioned in the song. Next year, we would like to get the entire Awhina Braille Group together to perform the song. But in the meantime, you can watch the video on Facebook, or play the audio, and sing along with us.
A huge thank you goes out to all the members of the Awhina Braille Group for taking this challenge in their stride. Your unique lyrics really bring out your love of braille and the different ways it’s used, past, present and into the future. Also, our sincere thanks goes out to our wonderful producer for the short notice video recording, presentation suggestions and huge amounts of laughter before, during and afterwards. You’re a star and we loved working with you.
Below are the lyrics. Please feel free to laugh and sing with us, and share this video far and wide to help spread the braille love this Christmas.
P.S. Chantelle apologises for laughing so much during her singing. There were some hilarious bloopers during the rehearsal that she was unable to edit out of her mind as easily as they were edited out of the video. Props to Paul for soldiering on regardless!
The 12 Days of Braillemas
Composed by the Awhina Braille Group, Auckland, New Zealand, on 27 November 2018.
On the 1st day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
A Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 2nd day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 3rd day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 4th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 5th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
5 TACTILE MAPS!
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 6th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
6 dots-a-dancing
5 TACTILE MAPS!
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 7th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
Seven slippery styli
6 dots-a-dancing
5 TACTILE MAPS!
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 8th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
8 braille readers
Seven slippery styli
6 dots-a-dancing
5 TACTILE MAPS!
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 9th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
9 sticky labels
8 braille readers
Seven slippery styli
6 dots-a-dancing
5 TACTILE MAPS!
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 10th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
10 spur wheels plotting
9 sticky labels
8 braille readers
Seven slippery styli
6 dots-a-dancing
5 TACTILE MAPS!
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 11th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
11 tactile watches
10 spur wheels plotting
9 sticky labels
8 braille readers
Seven slippery styli
6 dots-a-dancing
5 TACTILE MAPS!
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
On the 12th day of Braillemas, my true love gave to me:
12 braille embossers
11 tactile watches
10 spur wheels plotting
9 sticky labels
8 braille readers
Seven slippery styli
6 dots-a-dancing
5 TACTILE MAPS!
For, of and with
3 Juliets
2 braille books
And a Perkins with a sticky key.
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