Mrs. C says: “Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green, here we come a….”
Ed Elf: Er…sorry…don’t mean to interrupt your singing, Mrs. C, but what does ‘a-wassailing’ mean exactly?
Mrs. C: To go and sing a carol, in the community perhaps. You know…to go a-carolling. It’s olde worlde English.
Ed Elf: So if I put the letter ‘a’ before words or an ‘e’ after them I’ll be able to speak olde English.
Mrs. C: Well, yes…kind of.
Ed Elf: In that case, I’m ajust agonna get asome amarshmallowes for my amug…
Mrs. C: You sound Italian. Anyway, while he’s leapt off my desk for a while, we can go a-carolling. Without carols at this time of year, you might as well cancel Christmas. So it’s just as well that we have a whole section on these delectable pieces of festive heaven – from all the lyrics to more than 50 favourites to many of the stories behind the songs. So we invite you in beyond our festive window – to the warmth, the tree, the lights, the food, the wine…and most crucially the song.
Carols – A Brief History
Carols were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago, marking such pagan 
celebrations as the winter solstice. Early Christians switched celebratory focus to the birth of Jesus Christ with carols sung in Latin – although it wasn’t until St. Francis of Assisi introduced the notion of Nativity plays in the 13th century that songs were sung in native languages, with audiences encouraged to join in. Communal carol singing was born. Through the ages in the UK, festive songs were given life at home, in streets and public houses by wassailers and carollers. The earliest mention in English of the words “Christmas carol” is in a 1426 work by John “The Blind” Audelay, a chaplain who made a list of 25 “caroles of Cristemas” that were sung by revellers who went from door-to-door during the season. Carols found their comfortable place in churches from the early 19th century, which was the golden era for carol creation, rescue and rearrangement. The old, traditional carol-singing period was from St. Thomas’s Day on December 21st until the morning of Christmas Day – but in modern times the festive singing starts much earlier in December.
Sing a Christmas Carol
Everyone has a festive favourite. It really wouldn’t be Christmas, would it, without hearing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” or “O Come All Ye Faithful”? Carols are at the very heart of the season, so with warmest glad tidings we are delighted to bring you more than 50 carols, their history and their lyrics.
50+ Most Popular Carols
(Click on the title to take you to the story and lyrics of your choice)
1 – “O Holy Night”
2 – “Silent Night”
3 – “In The Bleak Midwinter” (Holst)
4 – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
5 – “In The Bleak Midwinter” (Darke)
6 – “O Come All Ye Faithful” (“Adeste Fidelis” )
7 – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
8 – “Once in Royal David’s City”
10 – “Carol of the Bells”
11 – “Ding Dong Merrily on High”
12 – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
13 – “Joy to the World”
14 – “Away in a Manger”
15 – “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
16 – “Coventry Carol”
17 – “The Three Kings”
18 – “Sussex Carol”
20 – “Gaudete”
21 – “In Dulci Jubilo”
22 – “Candlelight Carol”
23 – “Gabriel’s Message”
24 – “See Amid the Winter’s Snow”
25 – “Angel’s Carol”
50a – “Little Donkey”
26 – “The First Noel”
27 – “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”
29 – “What Sweeter Music”
33 – “Angels We Have Heard on High”
34 – “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
35 – “Deck the Halls”
36 – “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
37 – “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
38 – “As With Gladness Men of Old”
39 – “Wexford Carol”
40 – “Boar’s Head Carol”
41 – “Angels from the Realms of Glory”
42 – “Good Christian Men Rejoice”
43 – “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day”
44 – “I Saw Three Ships”
45 – “Sans Day Carol”
47 – “A Spotless Rose”
48 – “Star Carol”
49 – “The Truth Sent From Above”
1 – “O Holy Night”
The moving “O Holy Night” was composed by Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) in 1847 to the French poem “Minuet, Chretiens” by wine merchant Placide Cappeau. Adam is renowned for composing the score to the ballet “Giselle”. Cappeau is said to have written the Christmas poem (which in English means “Midnight, Christians”) to celebrate the renovation of a church organ – even though he was an atheist. This poem is known as the “Cantique de Noel”. However, the lyrics of the version we know were crafted in 1855 by minister John Sullivan Dwight.
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from the Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and his gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in his name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name
Christ is the Lord! O praise his name forever
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
2 – “Silent Night”
Austrian Franz Gruber (1787-1863) composed “Silent Night” in 1818. Father Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) wrote the lyrics for “Stille Nacht” two years earlier and their combined works were debuted on Christmas Eve 1818 at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Legend has it that the church organ broke down, after mice chewed through parts of it, so the tune was played on a guitar. When the organ-fixer later heard his own private rendition, he memorised it and sang it on his travels until “Stille Nacht” was finally published in 1840. However, this is an urban myth and the beautiful song was always intended that night for guitar. In 1854, with the song now famous, Gruber was tracked down and officially recognised as the composer. He was 67, poor and died nine years later. American John Freeman Young (1820-1885) translated “Stille Nacht” to “Silent Night” in 1859. This carol was sung in German, English and French by troops in the trenches on the famous 1914 Christmas Eve ceasefire in World War I.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so Tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star lend thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King!
Christ the Saviour is here
Jesus the Saviour is here!
Silent night, Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at thy birth
4 – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
The prolific Charles Wesley (1707-1788), a leading figure in the Methodist movement, wrote “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and it was published in 1739. Wesley’s opening couplet reads: “Hark! How all the welkin ring; Glory to the King of Kings.” Welkin means the “sky” or the “vault of heaven”. Wesley’s colleague George Whitfield (1714-1770) changed the opening lines to the ones we know today and an initially sombre tune was replaced by Felix Mendelssohn’s “Festgesang” music in 1840, with some later adaptation by English musician and tenor William H. Cummings (1831-1915) – creating the carol we know today. Wesley, brother of Methodist Church founder John Wesley, wrote an average of around 112 carols and hymns a year in his lifetime – about 8,900 in total. Being prolific, though, ran in the family. He was the 18th and last child born to exhausted mother Susanna. German composer Mendelssohn (1809-1847) is heard on celebratory occasions throughout the year…he wrote the famous and oft used “Wedding March”.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ the Everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of a virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail, the incarnate deity
Pleased as Man with Man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Hail the heav’n-born prince of peace!
Hail the son of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing
6 – “O Come All Ye Faithful” (“Adeste Fidelis”)
John Francis Wade (1711-1786) takes credit for this musical work because the earliest versions bear his signature – although the tune for “Adeste Fideles” has been attributed to other authors through time. The text is most likely to have come from an order of monks several centuries ago, but it has also been linked to King John IV of Portugal in the 17th century. The last verse is usually reserved for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or Christmas Day services, making more appropriate the line: “Yea, Lord, we greet thee; Born this happy morning…” British and German troops sang this song to each other in the World War I trenches on Christmas Eve 1914: the Britons with “O Come All Ye Faithful” and the Germans with “Adeste Fidelis”. In the 1940’s, splendid detective work from Reverend Maurice Frost of Oxford and a Devonian Benedictine monk, Dom John Stephan OSB, established Wade as the original author, while also pointing to the belief this song could well have been a carefully crafted Catholic plea to France to invade Britain & Ireland and restore Catholic traditions during 18th century unrest. The “faithful”, in this instance, are the Jacobites and “Bethlehem” is code for England. Reverend Mark Lawson-Jones has more detail on this fascinating aspect of the “Adeste Fideles” story in his excellent book: “Why Was the Partridge in the Pear Tree? – The History of Christmas Carols”. The opening verse in Latin reads:
Adeste fidelis
Laeti triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte regem angelorum
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus
Dominum
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord
God of God,
Light of light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb
Very God,
Begotten, not created,
O Come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of Heav’n above
Glory to God In the highest!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning
Jesus to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
8 – “Once in Royal David’s City”
British organist Henry John Gauntlett (1805-1876) set Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander’s poem to music in 1849. The tune, known as “Irby”, is one of more than a thousand he created in his lifetime. Gauntlett began playing church organ at the age of just nine in his father’s parish in Buckinghamshire. Since 1919, “Once in Royal David’s City” has been the opening hymn sung at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge on Christmas Eve. Irish-born Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895) also wrote the hymns “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “There is a Green Hill Far Away” among a catalogue of more than 400. She donated the proceeds from her poetic works to an Irish charity for the deaf and dumb.
Once in royal David’s city,
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child
He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall
With the poor and meek and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy
And through all His wondrous childhood,
He would honour and obey,
Love and watch the lowly mother,
In whose gentle arms He lay
Christian children all should be,
Mild, obedient, good as He
For He is our childhood’s pattern,
Day by day like us He grew,
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew,
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness
And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love
For that child so dear and gentle,
Is our Lord in heaven above
And He leads His children on,
To the place where He is gone
Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him, but in heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high
When like stars His children crowned,
10 – “Carol of the Bells”
“Carol of the Bells” is based on a traditional Eastern European folk chant and was composed in 1904 by Ukrainian Mykola Leontovych (1877-1921), with contemporary English lyrics added in 1936 by American educator and choral conductor Peter J. Wilhousky (1902-1978). Leontovych’s work premiered in 1916 with the title “Schedryk”. Leontovych spent Christmas 1921 – celebrated in January in Eastern Orthodoxy – with his parents, but was tragically murdered there by a Soviet agent. It is believed the composer created enemies by promoting Ukraine as an independent state.
Hark how the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
Throw cares away
Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold.
Ding dong ding dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All carolling.
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From everywhere
Filling the air
Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O’er hill and dale,
Telling their tale.
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here.
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas.
On on they send ,
On without end,
Their joyful tone
To every home
12 – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is a traditional English carol likely dating from the mid-18th century, which was published in 1833 by British lawyer William Sandys (1792-1874) – author unknown. Ye in the title is commonly replaced by ‘you’ and the song has also been known as “God Rest You Merry People All”. It is referred to in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” of 1843 with “Bless” in the title: “At the first sound of ‘God bless you, merry gentlemen…Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror…” The book “Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern” by Sandys (pronounced Sands) is credited with helping the revival of Christmas festivities in the mid-Victorian era. It included such works as “The First Noel”, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “I Saw Three Ships”.
God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas Day,
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
“Fear not then,” said the Angel,
“Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan’s power and might”
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind
And went to Bethlehem straightway
This blessed babe to find
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay
They found him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay
His Mother Mary kneeling
Unto the Lord did pray
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises
All you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
14 – “Away in a Manger”
The tune “Cradle Song” was written by American William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921) for the 1895 musical “Around the World With Christmas” and married beautifully to lyrics of “Away in a Manger” – once incorrectly attributed to 16th century German Protestant reformer Martin Luther. German Lutheran colonists in Pennsylvania, USA in the late 19th century more likely wrote the lyrics. Members of the Protestant Moravian Church may have played “Away in a Manger” in their trombone choirs, which performed in church belfries in such Pennsylvania towns as Bethlehem and Nazareth, which are just four miles apart.
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus no crying he make
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky
And stay by my side until morning is nigh
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there
16 – “Coventry Carol”
“Coventry Carol” is British in origin and dates from the 16th century, author unknown. It was traditionally performed in Coventry in the English Midlands as the second of three songs in a mystery play: “The Pageant and the Shearmen and Sailors”. The carol tells of the account of infanticide by Herod the Great, King of Judea, in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Then Herod…sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem…” After the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in World War II, this carol was sung in the building’s ruins at the end of a 1940 BBC broadcast – introducing it to a wider audience and securing its place in Christmas carol folklore.
Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
By, by, lully, lullay
O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day,
This poor youngling, for whom we do sing,
By, by, lully, lullay
Herod the king in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight
All young children to slay
Then woe is me, poor child, for thee,
And ever mourn and say,
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay
Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
18 – “Sussex Carol”
Ask someone to sing “Sussex Carol” and you may be met with a blank stare. Recite the first line and all becomes clear: “On Christmas night all Christians sing”. Therefore, this carol is commonly known by its opening line. The tune most often used today is that which British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) heard sung near Horsham, Sussex in the early 20th century – thus the “Sussex Carol”. It was published in 1919.
On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring
On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring
News of great joy, news of great mirth
News of our merciful King’s birth
Then why should men on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad
Then why should men on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad
When from our sin he set us free
All for to gain our liberty
When sin departs before his grace
Then life and health come in its place
When sin departs before his grace
Then life and health come in its place
Angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the new born King
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night
Glory to God and peace to men
20 – “Gaudete”
The sacred carol “Gaudete” was likely composed in the 16th century, if not earlier. The Latin text is a typical medieval chant of praise. An ‘a capella’ version of the song by British folk-rock group Steeleye Span reached number 14 in the UK singles charts in 1973. Only one other all-Latin song has made the UK top 50: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Pie Jesu” on two separate occasions with two different artists. Steeleye Span’s biggest hit single was “All Around My Hat”, which reached number five in the UK charts.
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Tempus adest gratiæ
Hoc quod optabamus
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur
Unde lux est orta
Salus invenitur
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine Gaudete!
Ergo nostra contio
Psallat iam in lustro
Benedicat Domino
Salus Regi nostro
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
Gaudete!
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine
22 – “Candlelight Carol”
John Rutter is the modern day carol master. Born in London in 1945, he is a prolific composer who has secured his place in British Christmas music history with a string of popular new carols – including “Candlelight Carol”. This is the first of four Rutter songs in our top 30 alone. Rutter wrote his first published carol when just 16: “The Shepherd’s Pipe Carol”.
How do you capture the wind on the water?
How do you count all the stars in the sky?
How can you measure the love of a mother
Or how can you write down a baby’s first cry?
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star glow
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing the Christ child is born
Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him
Seraphim round him their vigil will keep
Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Saviour
But Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star glow
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing the Christ child is born
Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger
Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay
Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation
A child with his mother that first Christmas Day
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star glow
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing the Christ child is born
24 – “See Amid the Winter’s Snow”
“See Amid the Winter’s Snow” was written by Anglican clergyman Edward Caswall (1814-1878), with music composed by British organist and composer Sir John Goss (1800-1880). Goss is best known for compositions such as “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven”. From 1827 to 1874, Goss was a professor at the Royal Academy of Music – where he taught Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert and Sullivan fame.
See amid the winter’s snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.
Chorus: Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who throned in height sublime
Sits amid the cherubim.
[Chorus]
Say, ye holy shepherds, say
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep
[Chorus]
As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light
Angels singing peace on earth
Told us of the Saviour’s birth
[Chorus]
Sacred infant, all divine,
What a tender love was thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.
[Chorus]
Teach, O teach us,
Holy Child,
By Thy Face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy Sweet humility!
26 – “The First Noel”
The word “Noel” means Christmas in French, but “The First Noel” – sometimes listed as “The First Nowell” – is a traditional English carol of Cornish origin from the 18th century. It is most commonly performed in a four-part arrangement by English composer Sir John Stainer (1840-1901), who was organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The first Noel, the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
In a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right o’er the place where Jesus lay
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made heaven and earth of nought
And with His blood mankind has bought
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
28 – “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol”
British composer John Rutter makes a third appearance in our top 30 with his lively “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol” – and there’s still one more Rutter work to come. Little wonder he has been affectionately dubbed ‘Mr. Christmas’. To concentrate purely on his festive work, though, would be to overlook his grander-scale choral repertoire, like “Gloria” (1974), “Requiem” (1985) and “Magnificat” (1990). Rutter wrote his first carol , “The Nativity Carol”, when he was just 16 and studying at London’s Highgate College. He created the jolly, lyrical “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol” soon after. Speaking in 2018, Rutter explained: “I had no thought of it being published, but word reached the ears of Sir David Willcocks, who was very much associated with Christmas music and carols himself, and he asked to see it. Well, he actually asked to see all sorts of things – but the Shepherd’s Pipe Carol might have been near the top of the pile and he looked up at me and said, ‘Would you be interested in this being published?’ and that’s how it all began.”
Going through the hills on a night all starry on the way to Bethlehem
Far away I heard a shepherd piping on the way to Bethlehem
Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
Dance and sing for joy that Christ the Newborn King is come to bring us peace on
Earth and he’s lying cradled there at Bethlehem
Tell me shepherd boy piping tunes so merrily on the way to Bethlehem
Who will hear your tunes on these hills so lonely on the way to Bethlehem
Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
Dance and sing for joy that Christ the Newborn King is come to bring us peace on
Earth and he’s lying cradled there at Bethlehem
None may hear my pipes on these hills so lonely on the way to Bethlehem
But a King will hear me play sweet lullabies when I get to Bethlehem
Angels in the sky came down from on high
Hovered o’er the manger where the babe was lying
Cradled in the arms of his mother Mary
Sleeping now at Bethlehem
Where is this new King shepherd boy piping merrily is he there at Bethlehem
I will find him soon by the star shining brightly in the sky o’er Bethlehem
Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
Dance and sing for joy that Christ the Newborn King is come to bring us peace on
Earth and he’s lying cradled there at Bethlehem
May I come with you shepherd boy piping merrily come with you to Bethlehem
Pay my homage too at the new King’s cradle is it far to Bethlehem
Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
Dance and sing for joy that Christ the infant King is born
this night in lowly stable yonder Born for you in Bethlehem
30 – “Still, Still, Still”
An Austrian Christmas carol and lullaby, “Still, Still, Still” first appeared in 1865 in a folksong collection from the State of Salzburg. In German, the first line is “Stille, stille, stille, weil’s Kindlein schlafen will!” Translated it reads: “Hush, hush, hush, for the little child wants to sleep!” One of the more beautiful renditions of this song in recent times was delivered by Welsh wonder Sir Bryn Terfel on his Christmas album.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow
For all is hushed
The world is sleeping
Holy Star its vigil keeping
Still, still, still
One can hear the falling snow
Sleep, sleep, sleep
‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth
The night is peaceful all around you
Close your eyes
Let sleep surround you
Sleep, sleep, sleep
‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth
Dream, dream, dream
Of the joyous day to come
While guardian angels without number
Watch you as you sweetly slumber
Dream, dream, dream
32 – “Good King Wenceslas”
“Good King Wenceslas” tells the story of a king wishing to help a peasant in harsh winter weather the day after Christmas – The Feast of Stephen. Giving alms to the poor on December 26th is believed to be the way Boxing Day came to pass. The story is based on the life of St. Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (903-935). He came to power aged just 18. His life was ended in a murderous plot, hatched by his jealous brother Boleslav. In his short reign, however, Wenceslaus developed almost saintly renown for his acts of great generosity. His trusted valet Podiven is, according to legend, the man who walked in his footprints in the snow on one of their charity missions (“Mark my footsteps good, my page…”). The fable suggests the King’s imprints stayed miraculously warm. John Mason Neale (1818-1866), an English Anglican priest and hymn writer, created the “Good King Wenceslas” lyrics set to a tune based on a 13th century spring song “It Is Time For Flowering”. It was published in 1853.
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, good my 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
34 – “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
The lyrics to “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” are attributed to Irish hymnist and British poet laureate Nahum Tate (1652-1715) and are most commonly sung in the UK to the “Winchester Old” tune. This is believed to be the only Christmas hymn approved by the Church of England in the 18th century as most other carols were considered too secular.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
“Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds,
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
“To you, in David’s town, this day,
Is born of David’s line
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign.
The heavenly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swaddling clothes
And in a manger laid.”
Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:
“All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace
Good will henceforth from Heaven to men
36 – “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
This popular 16th century carol hails from the English West Country and its roots lie in the tradition of wealthier people in a community giving treats to carollers on Christmas Eve. Figgy pudding is a version of the Christmas pudding eaten today. You will doubtless have heard through the years the incorrect line “Good tidings we bring to you and your King” when it is in fact “…you and your kin“.
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Now bring us a figgy pudding
Now bring us a figgy pudding
Now bring us a figgy pudding
Now bring some out here
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Oh, we all like figgy pudding
We all like figgy pudding
Oh, we all like figgy pudding
So bring some out here
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
And we won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
And we won’t go until we get some
So bring some out here
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
A Happy New Year
We wish you a Merry Christmas
38 – “As With Gladness Men of Old”
German Konrad Kocher (1786-1872) composed the music for “As With Gladness Men of Old” in 1838 – and the same melody is used in the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth”. British hymnist William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) wrote the lyrics while suffering depression following a near-fatal illness – remarkably producing light and beauty from some of his darkest hours.
As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before Him
Whom heaven and earth adore
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way
And when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide
In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown
Thou its Sun which goes not down
There forever may we sing
40 – “Boar’s Head Carol”
Sacrificing a boar and presenting its head at a Christmas feast was an ancient tradition captured in this 15th century English carol. A boar’s head is carried on a silver platter, dated 1668, into the hall at Queen’s College, Oxford for an annual Yuletide feast while the “Boar’s Head Carol” is sung, although many other colleges around the world also observe this ancient tradition. For Queen’s, the story goes that the ritual is to pay tribute to a student who was attacked by a wild boar in a neighbouring forest, while reading Aristotle. The scholar bravely put the book in the boar’s mouth and choked the animal. The then severed head may have been the first ever used in the ritual. The custom is for three chefs to bring the boar’s head into the hall on the historic silver platter, followed by solo singer (responsible for the first verse), torch bearers and a choir, who stop during verses and walk during each chorus. The head is placed on the high table, the Provost distributes the herbs to the choir and the orange from the Boar’s mouth to the soloist.
The boar’s head in hand bring I
Bedeck’d with bays and rosemary
And I pray you my masters be merry
Quo testis in convivio
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
The boar’s head as I understand
Is the rarest dish in all this land
Which thus bedeck’d with gay garland
Let us servire cantico
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
Our steward hath provided this
In honour of the King of bliss
Which on this day to be served is
In Reginensi atrio
Caput apri defero
42 – “Good Christian Men Rejoice”
There have been many translations from the German-Latin text of Medieval carol “In Dulce Jubilo”, including in 1837 from British composer Robert Pearsall (1795-1856) and John Mason Neale’s 1853 arrangement “Good Christian Men Rejoice”. English Anglican priest Neale (1818-1866) also translated much of the Latin text for “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”.
Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Listen now to what we say
Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before Him bow
And He is in the manger now
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Hear the news of endless bliss
Jesus Christ was born for this
He has opened heaven’s door
And we are blessed for evermore
Christ was born for this
Christ was born for this
Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye need not fear the grave
Jesus Christ was born to save
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall
Christ was born to save
44 – “I Saw Three Ships”
A traditional English carol, “I Saw Three Ships” originates from the 17th century. There are several theories as to what the three ships represent – one being they are the three kings visiting the infant Jesus: riding camels, the ships of the desert – but no one knows for certain. It makes little literal sense as a Christmas hymn because Bethlehem is landlocked. Some versions of the song included Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morning, while other versions mentioned three pretty girls on New Year’s Day.
I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day in the morning
And what was in those ships all three on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
And what was in those ships all three on Christmas Day in the morning
The Saviour Christ and his Lady on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
The Saviour Christ and his Lady on Christmas Day in the morning
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three on Christmas Day in the morning
O they sailed into Bethlehem on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
O they sailed into Bethlehem on Christmas Day in the morning
And all the bells on earth shall ring on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
And all the bells on earth shall ring on Christmas Day in the morning
And all the angels in heaven shall sing on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
And all the angels in heaven shall sing on Christmas Day in the morning
And all the souls on earth shall sing on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
And all the souls on earth shall sing on Christmas Day in the morning
Then let us all rejoice again on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Then let us all rejoice again on Christmas Day in the morning
46 – “Unto Us is Born a Son”
The medieval Christmas carol “Puer Nobis Nascitur” is translated from Latin to the English “Unto Us is Born a Son” – although this song is often listed with a subtle difference: “Unto Us a Son is Born”. British Anglican priest George Ratcliffe Woodward (1859-1934) helped the popularity of the processional hymn with his translation, published in 1902.
Unto us is born a son
King of choirs supernal
See on earth his life begun
Of lords the Lord eternal
Christ from heav’n descending low
Comes on earth a stranger
Ox and ass their owner know
Now cradled in a manger
This did Herod sore affray
And did him bewilder
So he gave the word to slay
And slew the little childer
Of his love and mercy mild
Hear the Christmas story
O that Mary’s gentle child
Might lead us up to glory
O and A and A and O
Cantemus in choro
Cum canticis et organo
48 – “Star Carol”
Another song from John Rutter’s delightful collection of Christmas works is “Star Carol”. Rutter was made a Commander of the British Empire in the 2007 New Year’s Honours list for outstanding services to music. He marked his 70th birthday with a special concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London in November 2015. When asked in an interview in 2018 how he keeps finding new material from the same biblical story, Rutter said: “That’s like saying ‘how do you continue to enjoy a beautifully-cooked meal?’ These are pleasures that stay with you and come around and around. People like that Christmas remains similar to how it was. When you hear a carol like ‘Away in a Manger’, it’s like you’re a child again. That’s one of the things that makes Christmas so magical.”
Sing this night for a boy is born in Bethlehem
Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies
Bring your gifts come and worship at his cradle
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary
Chorus: See His star shining bright
In the sky this Christmas night
Follow me joyfully
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary
Angels bright come from heaven’s highest glory
Bear the news with its message of good cheer
“Sing, rejoice for a King is come to save us
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!”
(Chorus)
See he lies in his mother’s tender keeping
Jesus Christ in her loving arms asleep
Shepherds fall both to worship and adore him
Offer their heartfelt gifts before the son of Mary
(Chorus)
Let us pay our homage at the manger
Sing his praise on this joyful Christmas night
Christ is come bringing promise of salvation
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary
50 – “There is No Rose of Such Virtue”
“There is No Rose of Such Virtue” is a 1954 work from South African-born British composer John Joubert (b. 1927), who has lived in the suburbs of Birmingham, England for more than 40 years. He also composed the carol “Torches” (Opus 7a, 1951; published 1961) among more than 160 works, including two symphonies and seven operas. Joubert says he has had carol-singers come to his door and sing his Christmas songs, without them knowing the composer lived inside.
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu
Alleluia!
For in this rose contained was
Heaven and earth in little space
Res miranda
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu
By that rose we may well see
That he is God in persons three
Pari forma
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu
The angels sungen the shepherds to
Gloria in excelsis deo
Gaudeamus
Leave we all this worldly mirth
And follow we this joyful birth
Transeamus
Alleluia, res Miranda
Pares forma, gaudeamus
Transeamus
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu
And just outside the top 50: “King Jesus Hath a Garden”; “A Child is Born in Bethlehem”; “Hob and Goblin”; “The Carol of the Angels”; “Donkey Carol”; “Torches”; “Adam Lay Ybounden”; “Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?”; “Personent Hodie”; “Lullay My Liking”; “Hodie Christus Natus Est”; “Sleep Thou Heav’n Born Treasure, Thou”; “Calypso Carol”; “Quem Pastores Laudavere”; “Hereford Carol” (Not to be confused with “Herefordshire Carol”/”The Truth Sent From Above”)
“The Shepherds’ Farewell”
French composer Hector Berlioz wrote the oratorio “L’enfance du Christ, Opus 25” in the 1850’s. It is a sacred trilogy often performed around Christmas. The idea for this work came from an organ piece Berlioz composed for his friend Joseph-Louis Duc called “L’adieu des Bergers” – “The Shepherds’ Farewell”. Thus it isn’t a carol as such – but the lyrics are here for you to enjoy alongside the beautiful music nonetheless.
Thou must leave Thy lowly dwelling,
The humble crib, the stable bare
Babe, all mortal babes excelling,
Content our earthly lot to share
Loving father, Loving mother,
Shelter Thee with tender care
Loving father, Loving mother,
Shelter Thee with tender care
Shelter Thee with tender care
Blessed Jesus, we implore Thee
With humble love and holy fear
In the land that lies before Thee,
Forget not us who linger here
May the shepherd’s lowly calling,
Ever to Thy heart be dear
May the shepherd’s lowly calling,
Ever to Thy heart be dear
Ever to Thy heart be dear
Blest are ye beyond all measure,
Thou happy father, mother mild
Guard ye well your heav’nly treasure,
The Prince of Peace, The Holy Child
God go with you, God protect you,
Guide you safely through the wild
God go with you, God protect you,
Guide you safely through the wild
Guide you safely through the wild
NB: Carols (copyright) their owners. All the carols listed are purely for the purposes of the enjoyment and education of the visitors to this website and added by our team at no charge. Anyone with just cause requesting the removal of any of the listed carols should contact [email protected] with legally binding evidence and allow a suitable grace period for said item to be removed from the site. Thank you.
3 – “In The Bleak Midwinter” (Holst)
Two versions of “In the Bleak Midwinter” make our top five. At number three is the Gustav Holst (1874-1934) setting “Cranham” and at number five the more complex Harold Darke (1888-1976) version, which is favoured by cathedral choirs. Both accompany the wonderful words of English poet Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). Holst is best known for his orchestral suite “The Planets”. Darke served as conductor of King’s College Choir, Cambridge during World War II – and his is the version sung in the choir’s famous Christmas Eve service.
In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen
Snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter
Long, long ago
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign
In the bleak midwinter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ
Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshiped the beloved
With a kiss
What can I give him
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
But what I can I give him
5 – “In The Bleak Midwinter” (Darke)
Two versions of “In the Bleak Midwinter” make our top five. At number three is the Gustav Holst (1874-1934) setting “Cranham” and at number five the more complex Harold Darke (1888-1976) version, which is favoured by cathedral choirs. Both accompany the wonderful words of English poet Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). Holst is best known for his orchestral suite “The Planets”. Darke served as conductor of King’s College Choir, Cambridge during World War II – and his is the version sung in the choir’s famous Christmas Eve service.
In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen
Snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter
Long, long ago
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign
In the bleak midwinter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ
Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshiped the beloved
With a kiss
What can I give him
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
But what I can I give him
7 – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Inspired by a visit to Bethlehem in 1865, American clergyman Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) wrote the text for “O Little Town of Bethlehem”. The English hymn tune “Forest Green” – as adapted by British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) from a folk tune associated with a ballad entitled “The Ploughboy’s Dream” – is the most common musical accompaniment to these lyrics.
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
O morning stars together
Proclaim thy holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in
O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
9 – “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
From a 12th century Latin work “Veni, Veni Emmanuel” based on a biblical prophecy, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is an integral Advent offering. English Anglican priest John Mason Neale (1818-1866) and American minister Henry Sloane Coffin (1877-1954) carried out the translation in the mid-19th century. Neale’s Christmas repertoire also includes “Good Christian Men Rejoice” and “Good King Wenceslas”. Coffin is buried in Sleepy Hollow, New York.
O come, O come, Emmanuel
To free your captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high
And order all things far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show
And teach us in her ways to go
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind
Bid every strife and quarrel cease
And fill the world with heaven’s peace
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
11 – “Ding Dong Merrily On High”
British composer and Anglican priest George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934) wrote the lyrics for “Ding Dong Merrily on High” to a piece of secular dance music. The tune was first recorded in a dance book by French cleric Jehan Tabourot (1519-1595) – whose pen name was Thoinot Arbeau. In 1924, along with Irish composer Charles Wood (1866-1926), Woodward published: “A Cambridge Carol Book: Being Fifty-two Songs for Christmas, Easter and Other Seasons”. It included “Ding Dong Merrily on High”. Fittingly, Woodward’s hobbies included bell ringing.
Ding dong! merrily on high
In heaven the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv’n with angels singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
E’en so here below below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And “io, io, io”
By priest and people sungen.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Pray you dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers.
May you beautifully rime
Your eve time song, ye singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Classic FM Radio: You will have the opportunity to vote for your favourite carol at classicfm.com late in the year each festive season. See how you can impact the station’s top 30 and listen out for the results on Christmas Day.
13 – “Joy to the World”
“Joy to the World” is the most-published Christmas hymn in North American history. Prolific and inspirational British hymn writer Isaac Watts (1674-1748) penned the lyrics based on The Bible’s Psalm 98. The music was adapted to Watts’ words in 1839 by American composer Lowell Mason (1792-1872) from a melody originally heard in Handel’s “Messiah”. Watts also wrote such hymns as “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”. The song’s popularity in North America is illustrated by the number of iconic performers to record it: like Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and The Supremes.
Joy to the world The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the earth
The Saviour reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as, the curse is found
He rules the world With truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
Elf Helper: There are always variations in the lyrics we have included in our top 50 – it all depends on which version of a carol you select. Some choirs will sing abridged versions – others will sing every verse of the original text. In “Angels From The Realms of Glory”, the repeated line “Come and Worship…” is often sung in Latin (“Gloria in Excelsis Deo”). You get the idea. If you listen to contemporary, pop arrangements of some carols they can be…well, put through a wringer. But as the intention of How to Christmas is to give you a lyrical guide for a good old Christmas singsong, whatever the genre, then I’m sure you’ll find plenty in the list to keep you warbling well into the New Year.
15 – “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
American pastor Edmund Sears (1810-1876) wrote the poem “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and it is most commonly accompanied in the UK by the tune “Noel”, adapted from an English melody in 1874 by Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900)…he of Gilbert and Sullivan fame. Their 19th century operas “HMS Pinafore” and “The Pirates of Penzance” were international hits and remain popular to this day. The title of this carol can invariably include the word ‘the’ instead of ‘a’ – “It Came Upon The Midnight Clear”.
It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth goodwill to men
From heav’n all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long
Beneath the heavenly strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong
And man at war with man hears not
The tidings which they bring
O hush the noise ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing
O ye, beneath life’s crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing
For lo the days are hastening on
By prophets seen of old
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendours fling
And the whole world give back the song
17 – “The Three Kings”
Epiphany anthem “The Three Kings” is the work of German composer Peter Cornelius (1824-1874). While living with his uncle in Berlin, Cornelius is believed to have met and befriended composer Felix Mendelssohn and fairytale scribes the Brothers Grimm.
Kings from Persian lands afar
To Jordan follow the pointing star
And this the quest of the travellers three
Where the newborn King of the Jews may be
Full royal gifts they bear for the King
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering
The star shines out with steadfast ray
The kings to Bethlehem make their way
And there in worship they bend their knee
As Mary’s child in her lap they see
Their royal gifts they show to the King
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering
Thou child of man, lo, Bethlehem
The kings are travelling, travel with them
The star of mercy, the star of grace
Shall lead thy heart to its resting place
Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring
Offer thy heart to the infant King
19 – “The Holly and the Ivy”
For centuries, holly and ivy have been used to decorate homes in Britain at wintertime. Holly was sacred to ancient druids, who believed it could ward off evil. Both plants’ evergreen nature served as a reminder of new growth to come – even in the dark depths of winter. Holly and ivy were also part of Roman Saturnalia celebrations, further securing their link to pagan rituals. We have more on holly and ivy on our Christmas Flowers & Plants and Trivia & Trifles pages. There is reference in the “Oxford Book of Carols” that holly and ivy may have represented the battle of the sexes: holly with masculine qualities, ivy with feminine. This is supported by the work of Edith Rickert (1871-1938), an English professor at the University of Chicago who published the book “Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700” in 1910. William Husk’s books “Songs of the Nativity” and “Holly and Ivy Made a Great Party” also have interesting takes on the relationship between holly and ivy, men and women. Cecil Sharp (1859-1924) first published the music and most of the text to “The Holly and the Ivy”. He was founding father of the revival of English folk music and, having seen Morris dancers perform near Oxford in 1899, generated interest in this dying tradition to the degree it, too, enjoyed a renaissance. Sharp’s notations on the subject were published as “Morris Books” from 1907.
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly wears the crown.
Chorus: O the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
[Chorus]
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good.
[Chorus]
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas day in the morn
[Chorus]
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
[Chorus]
The holly and the ivy,
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly wears the crown.
21 – “In Dulci Jubilo”
“In Dulci Jubilo” means “In Sweet Rejoicing” and many now rejoice in the variety of versions of a carol that dates back to the Middle Ages. Legend has it that German mystic Heinrich Seuse (circa 1328) heard angels sing the words “In Dulci Jubilo”, praising the infant Jesus, and was drawn into a dance of worship before writing down the text. There have been many translations from the German-Latin text, including in 1837 from British composer Robert Pearsall (1795-1856) and John Mason Neale’s 1853 arrangement “Good Christian Men Rejoice” – although one critic in the early 20th century described Neale’s efforts as “musical wrong doing…” English Anglican priest Neale (1818-1866) also translated much of the Latin text for “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. An instrumental version of “In Dulci Jubilo” was a Christmas hit for British musician Mike Oldfield in 1975, reaching a chart-high position of four in January 1976.
In dulci jubilo
Now sing with hearts aglow!
Our delight and pleasure
Lies in praesepio,
Like sunshine is our treasure
Matris in gremio.
Alpha es et O!
Alpha es et O!
O Jesu, parvule,
For thee I long always
Comfort my heart’s blindness,
O puer optime,
With all Thy loving kindness,
O princeps gloriae.
Trahe me post te!
Trahe me post te!
O Patris caritas!
O Nati lenitas!
Deeply were we stained
Per nostra crimina
But Thou for us hast gained
Coelorum gaudia
O that we were there!
O that we were there!
Ubi sunt gaudia
In any place but there
There are angels singing
Nova cantica
And there the bells are ringing
In Regis curia
O that we were there!
23- “Gabriel’s Message”
“Gabriel’s Message” is a Basque Christmas folk carol. It was paraphrased into English by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924), an English Anglican priest, and is often performed in an arrangement by Edgar Pettman (1866-1943) – published in his 1892 book “Modern Christmas Carols”. Baring-Gould would marry Grace Taylor and they had 15 children: their fifteen little angels.
The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow
His eyes as flame
“All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady,”Gloria!
“For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honour thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel,
By seers foretold
Most highly favoured lady,” Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.”
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!
Of her Emmanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn
And Christian folk throughout the world forever saved
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!
25 – “Angel’s Carol”
“Angel’s Carol” is another splendid work by John Rutter, who Sir David Willcocks – a great British choral conductor – referred to as the most gifted composer of his generation. Rutter founded his own choir in 1981 – The Cambridge Singers.
Have you heard the sound of the angel voices
Ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear?
Have you seen the star shining out so brightly
As a sign from God that Christ the Lord is here?
Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven
To the humble shepherds who have waited long?
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Hear the angels sing their joyful song.
He is come in peace in the winter’s stillness,
Like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night
He is come in joy, like the sun at morning,
Filling all the world with radiance and with light
He is come in love as the child of Mary
In a simple stable we have seen his birth.
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Hear the angels singing ‘Peace on earth’.
He will bring new light to a world in darkness,
Like a bright star shining in the skies above.
He will bring new hope to the waiting nations,
When he comes to reign in purity and love.
Let the earth rejoice at the Saviour’s coming.
Let the heavens answer with a joyful morn:
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Hear the angels singing ‘Christ is born’
Hear the angels singing ‘Christ is born’
27 – “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”
British composer, musician and writer Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987) set this 18th century poem to music. There was an old English tradition of wassailing or wishing health to apple trees on Christmas Eve. The accomplished Poston wrote the score to the television production of “Howard’s End” while living in the house E.M. Forster grew up in as a child, which was also the setting for his novel.
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne’er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne’er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree
I’m weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I’m weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree
29 – “What Sweeter Music”
John Rutter strikes again. This is the prolific composer’s fourth carol in our top 30 – and it is not the last we will be hearing from him in our top 50. He is the modern master of Christmas music with an array of enchanting carols.
What sweeter music can we bring than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King.
Awake the voice! Awake the string!
Dark and dull night, fly hence away
And give the honour to this day
That sees December turned to May,
That sees December turned to May
Why does this chilling winter’s morn
Smile like a field beset with corn
Or smell like a meadow newly shorn,
Thus on the Sudden, come and see
The cause why things thus fragrant be
‘Tis He is born whose quickening birth,
Gives life and lustre, public mirth
To Heaven and the under-earth,
We see him come, and know him ours
Who with his sunshine and his showers
Turns all the patient ground to flowers
The darling of the world is come
And fit it is we find a room
To welcome him, the nobler part
Of all the house here, is the heart
Which we will give him and bequeath
This holly and this ivy wreath
To do him honour, who’s our King
And Lord of all this revelling
What sweeter music can we bring than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King
31 – “What Child is This?”
British writer William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) wrote this carol out of a near-death experience. Aged just 29, he was afflicted by an illness that almost took his life. A deep depression followed. And yet during his lowest times he was able to write many hymns, including “As With Gladness Men of Old” and this cherished Christmas song set to the music of Greensleeves. The tune is based on an Italian style of composition and, therefore, unlikely to have been composed by Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn – a common misconception.
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary
Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The Cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
33 – “Angels We Have Heard on High”
“Angels in Our Countryside” – that is the English translation of the French carol “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes”. On this are based the words of “Angels We Have Heard on High”. There have been many adjustments through the years, most notably that in 1862 of Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle James Chadwick (1813-1882). He was ordained as a priest the week before Christmas 1836.
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Shepherds, why this jubilee
Why your joyous strains prolong
What the gladsome tidings be,
Which inspire your heavenly song,
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing,
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, our newborn King
Gloria! In excelsis Deo
Gloria! In excelsis Deo
See Him in a manger laid
Jesus Lord of heaven and earth
Mary, Joseph lend your aid
With us sing our Saviour’s birth
Gloria! In excelsis Deo
35 – “Deck the Halls”
The 19th century lyrics are English, the 16th century melody is Welsh – together they make the uplifting “Deck the Halls”. The tune is taken from a traditional Welsh New Year’s Eve song “Nos Galan”, first published in 1794 even though it is considerably older. The English words are attributed to Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant (1799-1873) – who was fittingly christened on Christmas Day 1799.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
‘Tis the season to by jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol
Fa la la la la, la la la la
See the blazing Yule before us
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa la la la la, la la la la
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Fast away the old year passes
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Hail the new ye lads and lasses
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Sing we joyous all together
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Heedless of the wind and weather
37 – “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
American rector John Henry Hopkins Junior (1820-1891) wrote “We Three Kings of Orient Are” in 1857 for a Christmas pageant in New York City. It was published five years later. The number of Magi is not confirmed in the Gospel of Matthew, so it is from the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh that an assumption has been made there were three kings.
We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder Star
Chorus: O, star of wonder, star of might,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to the perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold we bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign
(Chorus)
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him, God most High
(Chorus)
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
(Chorus)
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice,
“Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
Earth to heav’n replies
39 – “Wexford Carol”
The “Wexford Carol” is a traditional Irish carol dating back to the 12th century. William Grattan Flood (1859-1928) – organist and musical director at St. Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy, Ireland – is responsible for its renewed popularity.
Good people all, this Christmas-time
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved Son
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas day
In Bethlehem upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born
The night before that happy tide
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long-time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town
But mark how all things came to pass
From every door repelled alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble ox’s stall
There were three wise men from afar
Directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day
Until they came where Jesus lay
And when they came unto that place
Where our beloved Messiah was
They humbly cast them at his feet
With gifts of gold and incense sweet
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear
“Prepare and go,” the angels said,
“To Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you’ll find this happy morn
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.”
With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the babe to find
And as God’s angel had foretold
They did our Saviour Christ behold
Within a manger he was laid
And by his side the Virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of life
Who came on earth to end all strife
41 – “Angels From The Realms of Glory”
Scottish poet James Montgomery (1771-1854) wrote “Angels From The Realms of Glory”. It was first printed in 1816 and started to grow in popularity a decade later. In the United States, this carol is normally sung to a tune called “Regent Square” by English composer Henry Smart (1813-1879). But in the UK, the preferred melody is from a French carol tune “Iris”, used also for “Angels We Have Heard on High”. This is apt because when Montgomery became editor of the Sheffield Register newspaper in 1794 he renamed it the Sheffield Iris. That is where “Angels From The Realms of Glory” was first printed on Christmas Eve 1816.
Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth
Ye who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
Shepherds in the field abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night
God with man is now residing, yonder shines the infant light
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
Sages leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar
Seek the great desire of nations, ye have seen his natal star
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
Though an infant now we view him, He shall fill his Father’s throne
Gather all the nations to him, every knee shall then bow down
All creation join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son
Evermore your voices raising to th’eternal three in one
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
43 – “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day”
A traditional English carol, “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” first appeared in print in an 1833 publication by William B. Sandys (pronounced Sands): “Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern”. In it, Jesus Christ is speaking of his incarnation…his dancing day. The word carol comes from the French verb ‘caroller’, meaning to dance in a circle. The old French term ‘carole’ means a dance of praise and joy.
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play
To call my true love to my dance
Chorus: Sing Oh! my love, Oh! My love, my love, my love
This have I done for my true love
Then was I born of a virgin pure
Of her I took fleshy substance
Thus was I knit to man’s nature
To call my true love to my dance
(Chorus)
In a manger laid and wrapped was I
So very poor, this was my chance
Between an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance
(Chorus)
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play
To call my true love to my dance
45 – “Sans Day Carol”
Also known as the “St. Day Carol”, this is a Cornish Christmas carol written in the 19th century. The melody and the first three verses were transcribed in the 19th century from the singing of villager Thomas Beard in St. Day in the parish of Gwennap, Cornwall. There’s a nod to the lyrics of “The Holly and The Ivy”.
Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk
And Mary bore Jesus who was wrapped up in silk
Chorus: And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be
And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly
Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass
And Mary bore Jesus who died on the cross
(Chorus)
Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal
And Mary bore Jesus who died for us all
(Chorus)
Now the holly bears a berry as blood is it red
Then trust we our Saviour who rose from the dead
47 – “A Spotless Rose”
“A Spotless Rose” is one of English composer Herbert Howells’ Three Carol-Anthems: a set which includes “Here is the Little Door” and “Sing Lullaby”. “A Spotless Rose” is believed to be of 15th century origin and may first have appeared in print in 16th century Germany. There are several versions based on the anonymous poem – including 1894’s “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” by American Theodore Baker (1851-1934). A translation of the first two verses of the hymn as “A Spotless Rose” was penned by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878) and was set as a carol-anthem by Howells (1892-1983) in 1919. London-born translator Winkworth was a great promoter of women’s rights.
A Spotless Rose is growing
Sprung from a tender root
Of ancient seers’ foreshowing
Of Jesse promised fruit
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter
And in the dark midnight
The Rose which I am singing
Whereof Isaiah said
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary purest maid
Through God’s great love and might
The Blessed Babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter’s night
49 – “The Truth Sent From Above”
British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams discovered a four-stanza version of this song at King’s Pyon, Herefordshire in 1909 – and thus it is also known as the “Herefordshire Carol”. Previously, Cecil Sharp (1859-1924) found an eight-verse version in Shropshire so, somewhat confusingly, this song may also be referred to in its longer form as the “Shropshire Carol”.
This is the truth sent from above
The truth of God, the God of love
Therefore don’t turn me from your door
But hearken all both rich and poor
The first thing which I do relate
Is that God did man create
The next thing which to you I tell
Woman was made with man to dwell
Then after this ‘twas God’s own choice
To place them both in paradise
There to remain from evil free
Except they ate of such a tree
And they did eat which was a sin
And thus their ruin did begin
Ruined themselves, both you and me
And all of their posterity
Thus we were heirs to endless woes
Till Lord the God did interpose
And so a promise soon did run
That He would redeem us by His Son
Elf Helper: With “In The Bleak Midwinter” appearing twice on the top 50 list, with its different tunes to the same lyrics, How to Christmas wanted to offer another set of lyrics – just for the children. Let’s call it 50a.
50a: “Little Donkey”
“Little Donkey” was written in 1959 by British songwriter Eric Boswell (1921-2009) and is a children’s Nativity favourite across the UK. It has a sweet simplicity and can melt the harshest heart when sung by infants in schools and churches in the build up to Christmas.
Little donkey, little donkey
On the dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards
With your precious load
Been a long time, little donkey
Through the winter’s night
Don’t give up now, little donkey
Bethlehem’s in sight
Chorus: Ring out those bells tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Follow that star tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Little donkey, little donkey
Had a heavy day
Little donkey
Carry Mary safely on her way
Little donkey, little donkey
Journey’s end is near
There are wise men waiting for a
Sign to bring them here
Do not falter, little donkey
There’s a star ahead
It will guide you, little donkey
To a cattle shed
Chorus: Ring out those bells tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Follow that star tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Did you know…wassailing in its simplest, original form was to offer a blessing or greeting and had nothing to do with carolling? Wassail comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase “Waes pu hael”, which means: “be in good health”. Wassailing developed by the 12th century, though, to become more of a winter celebration in communities – with alcoholic drinks aplenty. A wassailer was a merry-maker, the wassail bowl carried the cider or beer and groups of wassailers would go singing door-to-door. The next twist came in the cider-producing regions of England, where wassailers would sing to the health of trees in orchards hoping for bumper fruit harvests. The song “Here We Come A-wassailing” was first published in the 1871 “Oxford Book of Carols”:
Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green
Here we come a-wandering so fair to be seen
Chorus: Love and joy come to you and to you your wassail to
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year
Our wassail cup is made of the rosemary tree
And so is your beer of the best barley
(Chorus)
We are not daily beggars that beg from door to door
But we are neighbours’ children whom you have seen before
(Chorus)
Call up the butler of this house put on his golden ring
Let him bring us up a glass of beer and better we shall sing
(Chorus)
We have got a little purse of stretching leather skin
We want a little of your money to line it well within
(Chorus)
Bring us out a table and spread it with a cloth
Bring us out a mouldy cheese and some of your Christmas loaf
(Chorus)
God bless the master of this house likewise the mistress too
And all the little children that round the table go
(Chorus)
Good master and good mistress while you’re sitting by the fire
Pray think of us poor children who are wandering in the mire
(Chorus)
Did you know…the Yorkshire city of Sheffield is still a stronghold of the festive tradition of singing Christmas carols en mass in local pubs – something that grew in Victorian times when the Church of England wanted less raucous carolling events? There can be many melodies for just one set of lyrics. For example, there are at least ten different versions to “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”. Tunes vary from village to village. Among the best-known carolling pubs are the Royal at Dungworth and Blue Ball at Worrall.