It’s a song about glass with two incarnations.

It as originally composed as part of the Winter Wear project and focussed on four aspects of of Sunderland’s glass-making heritage: the first glass windows in an English Church, at St. Benedict Biscop’s Monastery, St. Peter’s in Monkwearmouth; the industrial glass-making heritage along the Wear in the 18th and 19th centuries; Jobling’s British monopoly on Pyrex manufacture in the 20th century; and the current National Glass Centre near the mouth of the River Wear. This version has been performed several times, including by Bailiffgate Singers and Alnwick and District Choral Society.

In May 2016 I adapted the song with new words for The Bridge Singers of Felton and West Thirston in Northumberland for their concert of music connected in some way to the local area. The four verses now address these themes: the exquisite stained glass windows in St. Michael’s Church, Felton; the 17th century mining of fine West Thirston clay for the Newcastle glass-making industry; the recently restored 19th century greenhouse at Felton Park, and the art glass that is made and sold by local artists in our villages, including this one by Hazel Metherell (modelled here in the Felton Park Greenhouse!). Hazel’s piece shows the Felton Sycamores in their seasonal transformation – this was another of the songs the choir sang during 2016.

Update December 2020
The Bridge Singers made a new video for this song using a recording from 2016, using some photos from the end-of-year party in the Felton Park Glass House at which this performance took place, and some of the ways we’re gathering together during 2020 while we cannot have regular rehearsals. When the choir was asked in November what some of their favourite Christmas songs were for us to sing this year, this one was one of the highest polling!

Update March 2024
The Bridge Singers sang Magical Glass at the funeral of our alto pal, Gillian. This was the note in the funeral service sheet:

“Magical Glass, Cheryl Camm – This is one of the first songs The Bridge Singers ever sang when we were first formed back in 2016. It is about the part glass has played in the life of the villages of Felton and Thirston: the glorious windows in this church, St. Michael’s; the fine clay that was mined in Thirston and taken to Newcastle for industrial glass-making; the historic glasshouse in Felton Park; and the glassy gifts that can be found at Gallery 45. Gillian sang this song with us many times as she was one of the inaugural members of the choir, and it was a favourite of hers. It is essentially a cheery drinking song, but we are told that today is a celebration of Gillian’s life, so cheers from us!”

The funeral was recorded, but only part of the choir’s work was included, so our rendition of this song is unfortunately missing. Gillian’s daughter, Jackie wrote a blog about her thoughts and feelings, which you can read here:

Saying Goodbye To Mum (2)