As many schools over the UK have finished for Christmas and New Year holidays I thought I would do a slight different Jukebox entry for today as well as the single song a day (just in case some people thought I was cheating, which I am a bit because I am not averaging a song a day yet but I keep trying). Christmas Carol services are the traditional way to end the school concert and as a bonus to add to the Christmas Jukebox, I thought I would add in my top twenty traditional Christmas song. There are some beautiful Christmas Carols that maybe associated with Christianity, but have equally become part of the universal sound track of Christmas. Whether you have faith or not, these songs echo the importance of being there for people at Christmas and recognising the importance of being there for people over the Christmas season. For me Christmas carols make me think of singing in church and school, but also makes me think of my mum listening to King College Cambridge's Christmas carol concert on Christmas Eve whilst helping unpack Christmas presents. My mum had such a strong faith in God, but such a terrible bad back that she found it very hard to sit and listen to services in church, but I think her faith came through in everything she did without it becoming a barrier and I think that what faith should be; it should come through in your actions rather than being something you preach about so I present my Christmas Carol list worthy of any Christmas Carol concert in honour of my mum.20. We Three King of Orient Are
We three King of Orient are
It is amazing to think that although I think of this carol as a more modern one compare to some of the tunes within this top ten, We three kings was actually written in 1857, by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. Hopkins was a rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport Pennsylvania. Like Jingle Bells, this carol has many version to it and remains very popular.
19. Ding Dong Merrily on high
Ding Dong Merrily on High
This is a lovely carol, who words may have only been published in 1924, the tune itself was written in the 16th century by Jehan Tabourot. The lyrics are from English composer George Ratcliffe Woodward. The most memorable part of this carol is the chorus which has the Latin refrain Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis.
18. Child in a manager
Child in a manager
This tune is like a lullaby and I am very happy to learn today that this was a traditional Gaelic carol written by Mary MacDonald in the 19th Cenutry. It was translated in to English by Lachlan MacBean and is set to music by Bunessan.
The Holly and the Ivy
With its origins traced back to Birmingham in the early 19th century, there is mention of The Holly and the ivy by William Hone in 1823 and then in 1849 the complete carol is found in a book review. The music of the hymn to me appears like the threading of holly and ivy together, both plants are beautiful and have become one of the symbols of Christmas.
16. O Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree, performed by Cedarmont Kids
Where would Christmas be without a Christmas tree? Well up until the mid-19th Century, the Christmas Tree was a traditional that was found in Europe and not the UK. It was Prince Albert who brought the Christmas Tree to the UK, and its popularity as being part of the Christmas begin after 1842, when Albert and Victoria brought a tree to Winsor Castle. Therefore there should be no surprise that O Christmas Tree is a German Christmas song. The German translation is O Tannenbaum.
Ernst Anschutz wrote the modern lyrics in 1824 and originally the song was more about the quality of the fir tree as a symbol of constancy and faithfulness. Anschutz based his text on a 16th-century Silesian folk song. Due to the popularity of having a Christmas Tree, Anschutz added two new verses to tie the song into Christmas and since then this has been a very popular Christmas carol.
15. The Virgin Mary had a baby Boy
The Virgin Mary had a baby Boy
From Germany to Trinidad with The Virgin Mary had a baby boy This is a West Indian carol that probably originated in Trinidad. It became popular when Harry Belafonte recorded it in 1958. For centuries before Britain took over Trinidad in 1797, the natives of Trinidad were exposed to Roman Catholicism through Spanish priests and colonists, and later by French colonists. Among the priests were many musicians who sought out talented native musicians and helped to build a native tradition of religious festival music. For centuries, the weeks between October 1 and January 6 were filled with music as "parranderos and parranderas" went from house to house using stringed and rhythm instruments to celebrate the birth and life of Christ. In the mid-20th century, outside cultural influences began to overwhelm the local culture, but a few leading musicians made certain that public concerts kept the musical traditions of the "parang" alive. In later years, "Parang" has emerged as a musical genre its own right, and has generally left its religious roots, much as African-American spirituals led to the creation of Jazz and Rock and Roll in the United States. Contemporary Parang music may include steel drums and horns, creating a louder and more percussion-oriented sound than the Parangs of a few decades ago.
14. The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth
The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth, performed by Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Originally known as Carol of the Drum, this well known song was written by Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941 and was recorded by a family, who story has become one of the best love films to watch at Christmas, the Trapps family Singers in 1955.
The song was based on a traditional Czech carol but unfortunate the original has never been identified. In the jukebox, I have put the version with Bing Crosby and David Bowie in which was released in 1977, and the recording of the video would be the final Christmas TV programme Bing Crosby did. 1977 was also my first Christmas and I would have been about 6 months old.
13. Joy to the World
Joy to the World, performed by Aretha FranklinFirst published in 1719, the words to the hymn were written by the English composer Isaac Watts and are based on the second half of Psalm 98 and rather than celebrating the birth of Jesus it is more about the triumphant return of Christ at the end of the age. The music for the carol was adapted by Lowell Mason in 1839, and the tune is said to have originated from Handel. Many would be forgiven to think that this carol should be American and that because it has been one of the most popular carol in the USA since the late 20th Century.
12. While Shepherds watch their flocks by night
While Shepherds watch their flocks by night,
Although, I would like to say this was done by knowledge, it hasn't been, but While Shepherds Watch their flocks by night has also got connections to Lowell Mason mentioned above as there are two commonly tunes which this carol is sung to: Winchester Old in the UK and a variation on Handel aria arranged by Lowell Mason in the USA.
The words of the carol are attributed to Nahum Tate, who was a Irish hymnist, lyricist and England's Poet Laurate. It is not known when the composition was written but the words appear in Nicholas Brady's 1700 supplement of their New Version of the Psalms of David of 1696, and up until 1700, Psalms of David were the only hymns permitted to sung by the Anglican Church.It is the only one of the sixteen works in the 1700 supplement to still be sung today.
11. O Little Town of Bethlehem
O Little Town of Bethlehem
The words were written by Phillips Brooks in Philadelphia after visiting Bethlehem in 1865, and Lewis Redner added the music which was entiled "St. Louis". The St. Louis music is the tune used in the USA but suprising enough in the UK we used the English hymn tune "Forest Green." I think the reason why I like this song is the way you have to sing Beth-Le-hem and really have to pronouce the words. Cliff Richard is one of the many artists who have covered this tune.
10. The First Nowell
The First Nowell
The First Nowell is a traditional classical English carol and has its origin in Cornwell. First published in 1823, its opening line The First Nowell, the angels did say were to certain poor shepherds in fields were they lay must be one of the most familiar lines in must you can get. Noel is of course an early Modern English synonym of Christmas.The melody is unusual among English folk melodies in that it consists of one musical phrase repeated twice, followed by a refrain which is a variation on that phrase. All three phrases end on the third of the scale.
9. O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Come, All Ye Faithful
First written in Latin as Adeste Fidles, O Come, All Ye Faithful has been attributed to many authors including John Wad, John Reading and King John IV of Portugal so the words and tune date back to the 17th or 18th century.
This is the carol that is always sung at the end of the midnight service as the clocks turn Christmas Eve into Christmas Day as it has a special version to be sung on Christmas day only. The version we sing today was translated in 1841 by Frederick Oakeley.
8. Silent Night
Silent Night performed by Beyonce
First performed on Christmas Eve 1818 in Oberndorf, Austria, the melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber when the lyricist, Father Joesph Mohr, asked him to put music to his lyrics. I love this carol, it as though, it offer an oasis from all the madness of the preparation of Christmas and you can almost freeze time and imagine what it would be like to be sitting around the Christmas Tree with all the present. I think it is important that you take breath at Christmas and think about the people around you.
Silent night was declared an intangible cutural hertiage by UNESCO in 2011 and the song has been recorded by a large number of singers from all genres. The version sung by Bing Crosby is the 3rd best selling single of all-time.
7. Mary Boy's Child
Mary Boy Child, performed by Boney M
Written in 1956 by Jester Hairston, it was original written for a birthday party, but when Hairston was approach to write a Christmas carol; he used his calypso beat with new lyrics. Harry Belafonte heard the song being performed and recorded it in 1956 and took it to number one on the UK Single chart in November 1958.Belafonte's version has sold over 1.19 million copies, although Boney M's version released in 1978 is possible known better in modern day.
6. Once in Royal David's City
Once in Royal David's City
Written by Cecil Frances Alexander as a poem, the carol was first published in 1848 and set to must by Henry John Gauntlett. This is one of those carols where you imagine the little choir boy standing beside a candle singing a soul.
5. O Come O Come Emmanuel
O Come O Come Emmanuel
I don't think I heard this carol until I went to high school and for some reason it sends shivers up and down my spine. It makes me think of school concerts and our music teachers at Christmas. Again this carol like O Come, O Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin and the music was developed separately to the words.
The text in Latin was first documented in Germany in the 18th Century, whilst the tune dates back to the 15th Century. It was first translated into English in 19th Century. The carol traditionally should be sang on the advent Sundays
4. God Rest You Merry, Gentleman
God Rest You Merry, Gentleman
One of the oldest Christmas carols, dating back to the 16th century, this carol brings to mind an very Victorian Christmas Scene and it is no wonder that it has been used in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It is also one of the best Christmas Carols to play on a trombone as it has a fantastic base line and it is played in the minor scale.
3. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The Hearld Angels sing first appeared in 1739 in the collection of Humns and Sacred Poems by Charles Wesley. Originally Wesley had wanted a slower and more solemn music for his lyric; but I hope now he see how triumphant his lyrics are set to the music of William H. Cummings.
Another great piece to be played on Trombone (alas there are no Christmas recording of me on Trombone so be thankful for that early Christmas present), the popularity of this hymn was guarantee by the help of Felix Mendelssohn who helped changed the beginning for cantata to celebrate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. Without which I would not be writing a blog and celebration the hymn. What is it they say, swings and roundabouts.
2. Away in a manager
Away in a manger
What can I say, Away in a manager is Christmas. Along with Little Donkey, this must be one of the most treasured Christmas carols there is. Published in the late 19th Century, it has sometimes been attributed to Martin Luther, the German reformer, however, going on the dates it is more likely to think the carol was written in celebration to Martin Luther.
The version we know today was arranged by Sir David Wilcocks.
1. Still the Night
Still the Night
Not to be confused with silent night, this carol makes me cry, probably because of memories it creates in my mind. Another German Carol, it is a softer and more reflective tune on the birth of Jesus and creates the simplicity of what happen on the 25th December. It is another midnight service favourite and brings the church to a soft moment before the madness and brightness of Christmas morning, with presents, food and family. It was written by Rev. Joseph Mohr in 1816.
I hope you have enjoyed the carol concert.
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