Five Christmas carols (5, 6, 5, 3 and 4 words respectively) have been re-arranged, and re-titled at 23/38 (4 words), 59/54/62D/5 (4 words), 87/12/74 (4 words), 20 (5 words) and 72/46A (3 words). A sixth carol (19 letters, 4 words) has been concealed in the grid under a new title (4 words), which must be highlighted. The initials of all six original carols can spell CUT BACK SWIM — COMFORT ICY DIGITS. Ignore an accent in 36D.
Across
1 Clocks measure time with seconds and musical rods (9)
8 Maths groups used for secret filming (10, two words)
15 Council reduced fare (4)
17 Get embarrassed once, when chap stripped me (6)
19 Poet is male but not good, having male characteristics (8)
21 Shocks the distressed may choose? (7)
22 Game represented mystery in play (4)
24 Accuser from Arabia sporting earring (9)
25 Suppose it’s a black card East advanced (5)
27 Notes are the wrong way round – I’ll delete them (6)
29 Cricket, perhaps, as part of party (6)
30 Three in one billion dismissed by magistrate (6)
35 Used Jack to leave in pain? (6)
37 Difficulty makes you sound off (5)
40 Advantage – and what it may result in, gaining another point? (5)
41 They take directions from sea (when Irish) (6)
50 On behalf of feudal lord, he took care with those in trouble (9)
51 Scottish fish race around Austria (4)
52 Mad Australian ace tried to get Root out (9)
53 Section of tanker oozes fuel (4)
56 Taken – in one’s strides? (9)
57 Test Match Special’s stalwart eminences (6)
62 Preparation for greeting commonly heard by Forces’ sweetheart? (8, two words)
63 Slate black, grim residential area (5)
65 A city like this musical piece (6)
69 Spellbound, when buds are loaded with this? (6)
71 Warmer land next to Georgia (6,...
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