O Come All Ye Forgetful: Eight in ten Brits don't know the words to traditional carols Only 5 per cent of people polled were confident they could sing every word of popular carols One in ten say they just hum to songs they are unsure of Findings revealed that carol memory increased with age Those aged 68-77 found to be the most confident of voice Traditional carol singing is under threat as modern Brits fail to remember the words Some of our most treasured Christmas carols are at risk of disappearing, as more than eight in 10 Brits admit to not knowing the words to most British classics. A seasonal survey has revealed that 85% of us donâ€™t know the full lyrics to festive favourites such as Away in a Manger, Silent Night, The Holly and the Ivy, Good King Wenceslas or Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Just five per cent of people polled stated that they were confident they could sing every word of a Christmas carol with an honest one in 10 stating they would mime or hum along to words they were unsure of. Itâ€™s believed a declining number of churchgoers combined with the increasing availability of modern music were two of the main reasons behind the lack of recall. According the survey by free delivery website FreeDeliveryLand.co.uk common mistakes include: â€˜The cattle are mooingâ€™ rather than â€˜lowingâ€™, â€˜Bearing gifts we travel so farâ€™ rather than â€˜traverse afarâ€™ and, â€˜Good king Wencles last looked outâ€™ instead of â€˜Wenceslas looked out.â€™ The findings also revealed that carol memory increased with age with only two per cent of those polled aged 18-27 stating they could sing a range of carols with every word correct. Those in the oldest age bracket (68-77) were found to be the most confident with more than half, 56%, stating they knew the majority of popular carols off by heart. One 24 year old woman who took part in the poll said: 'I know most of the tunes to the well known carols itâ€™s just some of the words that stump me. After all, we only sing them once a year. An older man added: 'Itâ€™s a sign of the times that young people today know all the words to "Gangnam Style," and not to simple Christmas songs. Perhaps if we invented some stupid dance to do when carolling, young people may remember the words a bit better. A spokesman from FreeDeliveryLand.co.uk commented: 'We all love a good sing-song at Christmas and carols have long been a festive tradition. It is really disappointing that an increasing number of people are becoming oblivious to the classics. The sound of carols at Christmas has been commonplace for many years and even if people canâ€™t remember every lyric, as long as they give them a go the Christmas spirit will live on. Good King Wenceslas: 'Good King Wencles last looked out...' Away In A Manger: 'The cattle are mooing...' Silent Night: 'All is calm, all is right, round shone virgin, mother and child...' The Holly and The Ivy: 'Of all the trees that are in the wood the holly bears the thorn...' Hark The Herald Angels Sing: 'Joyful all the nation's rise, join the triumph of surprise, with Angelic hearts proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehemâ€¦. Glory to the new boy king. Once In Royal David's City: 'Once in Royal David's City stood a lonely cattle shed...' Come All Ye Faithful: 'Come and behold him, crowned the king of angels...' Oh Little Town of Bethlehem: 'Oh little town of Bethlehem be still now shut your eyes...' We Three Kings: 'We Three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts we travel so far... The First Noel: 'The First Noel the angels did sing, as they looked all around for the new born king' Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even Brightly shone the moon that night Though the frost was cruel When a poor man came in sight Gath'ring winter fuel 'Hither, page, and stand by me If thou know'st it, telling Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling? 'Sire, he lives a good league hence Underneath the mountain Right against the forest fence By Saint Agnes' fountain.' Bring me flesh and bring me wine Bring me pine logs hither Thou and I will see him dine When we bear him thither. Page and monarch forth they went Forth they went together Through the rude wind's wild lament And the bitter weather Sire, the night is darker now And the wind blows stronger Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer. 'Mark my footsteps, my good page Tread thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winter's rage Freeze thy blood less coldly.' In his master's steps he trod Where the snow lay dinted Heat was in the very sod Which the Saint had printed Therefore, Christian men, be sure Wealth or rank possessing Ye who now will bless the poor Shall yourselves find blessing John Mason Neale The holly and the ivy, When they are both full grown Of all the trees that are in the wood The holly bears the crown O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer The playing of the merry organ Sweet singing of the choir The holly bears a blossom As white as lily flower And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ To be our sweet Saviour O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer The playing of the merry organ Sweet singing of the choir The holly bears a berry As red as any blood And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ To do poor sinners good O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer The playing of the merry organ Sweet singing of the choir The holly bears a prickle As sharp as any thorn; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ On Christmas Day in the morn. O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer The playing of the merry organ Sweet singing of the choir The holly bears a bark As bitter as any gall; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ For to redeem us all. The holly and the ivy Now both are full well grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood, The holly bears the crown. O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer The playing of the merry organ Cecil Sharp