1. The Christmas Song Mel Tormé, Robert Wells-(1944 Traditions)
2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas- Ralph Blane,( Hugh Martin 1944 Celebratory/sentimental)
3. Winter Wonderland Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith (1934 Seasonal)
4. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie (1934 Mythical)
5. White Christmas Irving Berlin (1940 Seasonal/sentimental)
6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne (1945 Seasonal)
7. Jingle Bell Rock Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe (1957 Celebratory/seasonal)
8. The Little Drummer Boy Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone (1941 Christian-based)
9. Sleigh Ride Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish (1948 Seasonal/birthday)
10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Johnny Marks 1939/1949 Fantasy
11. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Edward Pola, George Wyle (1963 Seasonal/traditions)
12. I'll Be Home for Christmas Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram (1943 Traditions/sentimental)
13. Silver Bells Jay Livingston, Ray Evans 1950 Traditions
14. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Johnny Marks 1958 Traditions
15. Feliz Navidad (José Feliciano 1970 Celebratory)
16. Blue Christmas Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson 1957 Traditions/alternative
17. Frosty the Snowman Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins 1950 Fantasy
18. A Holly Jolly Christmas Johnny Marks 1964/65 Traditions/celebratory
19. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Meredith Willson 1951 Traditions/celebratory
20. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Tommie Connor 1952 Novelty
21. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman 1947 Mythical
22. Carol of the Bells Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola D. Leontovych 1921/47 Celebratory
23. Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World) Midge Ure, Bob Geldof 1984 Traditions
24. (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays Bob Allen, Al Stillman 1954 Traditions/sentimental
25. Santa Baby Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Springer, Tony Springer, and Fred Ebb 1953 Novelty/alternative
Away in a Manger,The Christmas Song (Chestnuts),Coventry Carol,Deck The Halls,Do You Hear What I Hear,Feliz Navidad,The First Noel,Frosty the Snowman,Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer,The Grinch Theme,Hark The Herald Angels Sing,Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,Here Comes Santa Claus,Holly Jolly Christmas,I’ll Be Home For Christmas,I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,Jingle Bells,Jingle Bell Rock,Joy to the World,Let it Snow,Little Drummer Boy,The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,O’ Christmas Tree,O Come All Ye Faithful,O Tannenbaum,Oh Holy Night,Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree,Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,Santa Baby,Santa Claus is Coming to Town,Silent Night,Sleigh Ride,Silver Bells,Twelve (12) Days of Christmas,We Wish You a Merry Christmas,White Christmas,Winter Wonderland
Originally, "Christmas carol" referred to a piece of vocal music in carol form whose lyrics center on the theme of Christmas or the Christmas season.
Musically speaking, carol has a very specific definition: a song, characteristically of religious joy, associated with a given season, especially Christmas; in which uniform stanzas, or verses (V), alternate with a refrain, or burden (B), in the pattern B, V1, B, V2 . . . B. A great deal of traditional and popular Christmas music does not actually meet the strict definition of "carol", and the term Christmas carol has come, in modern times, to colloquially refer to any song, in any of a variety of styles, which references Christmas, the Christmas season, or events in proximity to that season.
Many traditional Christmas carols are deeply religious, mainly focusing on the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. Many songs, both religious and secular, now regarded as "Christmas Songs" have become associated with the Christmas season even though the lyrics may not specifically refer to Christmas, for example: We Three Kings ([Epiphany song]]); Good King Wenceslas (St. Stephen's Day carol); Deck the Hall (a pagan Yuletide drinking song); O Come Emmanuel (Advent chant); etc. Other Christmas songs focus on more secular Christmas themes, such as winter scenes, family gatherings, and Santa Claus: Jingle Bells; O, Christmas Tree; Home for the Holidays; Jolly Old St. Nicholas'; etc.
//
Word Origin:
The word carol or carole is a medieval word of French and Anglo-Norman origin, believed to mean a dance song or a circle dance accompanied by singing. Broadly defined, carols express religious joy and is often associated to the Christmas season. Carols are also used to describe late medieval English songs on various subjects with a verse and refrain. Often the verse and refrain (also called burden) alternates.
History of Christmas Carols:
It is unclear when the first carol was written but it is believed that circa 1350 to 1550 is the golden age of English carols and most of the carols followed the verse-refrain pattern.
During the 14th century carols became a popular religious song form. The theme often revolved around a saint, the Christ child or the Virgin Mary, at times blending two languages such as English and Latin.
By the 15th century the carol was also considered as art music. During this time, elaborate arrangements were made and carols were considered an important contribution to English medieval music.
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Early Christians took over the pagan solstice celebrations for Christmas and gave people Christian songs to sing instead of pagan ones. In 129, a Roman Bishop said that a song called "Angel's Hymn" should be sung at a Christmas service in Rome. Another famous early Christmas Hymn was written in 760, by Comas of Jerusalem, for the Greek Orthodox Church. Soon after this many composers all over Europe started to write 'Christmas carols'. However, not many people liked them as they were all written and sung in Latin, a language that the normal people couldn't understand. By the time of the Middles Ages (the 1200s), most people had lost interest in celebrating Christmas altogether.
This was changed by St. Francis of Assisi when, in 1223, he started his Nativity Plays in Italy. The people in the plays sang songs or 'canticles' that told the story during the plays. Sometimes, the choruses of these new carols were in Latin; but normally they were all in a language that the people watching the play could understand and join in! The new carols spread to France, Spain, Germany and other European countries.
The earliest carol, like this, was written in 1410. Sadly only a very small fragment of it still exists. The carol was about Mary and Jesus meeting different people in Bethlehem. Most Carols from this time and the Elizabethan period are untrue stories, very loosely based on the Christmas story, about the holy family and were seen as entertaining rather than religious songs. They were usually sung in homes rather than in churches! Traveling singers or Minstrels started singing these carols and the words were changed for the local people wherever they were traveling. One carols that changed like this is 'I Saw Three Ships'.
When Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans came to power in England in 1647, the celebration of Christmas and singing carols was stopped. However, the carols survived as people still sang them in secret. Carols remained mainly unsung until Victorian times, when two men called William Sandys and Davis Gilbert collected lots of old Christmas music from villages in England.
Before carol singing in public became popular, there were sometimes official carol singers called 'Waits'. These were bands of people led by important local leaders (such as council leaders) who had the only power in the towns and villages to take money from the public (if others did this, they were sometimes charged as beggars!). They were called 'Waits' because they only sang on Christmas Eve (This was sometimes known as 'watchnight' or 'waitnight' because of the shepherds were watching their sheep when the angels appeared to them.), when the Christmas celebrations began.
Also, at this time, many orchestras and choirs were being set up in the cities of England and people wanted Christmas songs to sing, so carols once again became popular. Many new carols, such as 'Good King Wenceslas', were also written in the Victorian period.
New carols services were created and became popular, as did the custom of singing carols in the streets. Both of these customs are still popular today! One of the most popular types of Carols services are Carols by Candlelight services. At this service, the church is only lit by candlelight and it feels very Christmassy! Carols by Candlelight services are held in countries all over the world.
The most famous type of Carol Service might be a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, where carols and Bible readings tell the Christmas Story.
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The list is organized according to the presumed original ethnicity of the carol.
Contents
1 Arabic
2 Catalan
3 Croatian
4 Czech
5 Dutch
6 English
7 Filipino
8 Finnish
9 French
10 Galician
11 German
12 Greek
13 Hungarian
14 Huron
15 Irish
16 Italian
17 Latin
18 Norwegian
19 Occitan
20 Polish
21 Portuguese
22 Romanian
23 Slovakian
24 Spanish
25 Swedish
26 Ukrainian
27 Welsh
28 See also
29 References
Arabic[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Talj, Talj" Fairuz Title translation: "Snow, Snow"
"Ya Maryam el Bekr" Fairuz Title translation: "O Virgin Mary"
Catalan[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Fum, Fum, Fum" ("El vint-i-cinc de desembre") 16th century The word "fum" may imitate the sound of a drum (or perhaps the strumming of a guitar). "Fum" means "smoke"(noun) in Catalan.
"El cant dels ocells" (lit. "Song of the Birds") Pablo Casals 20th century also known as "Carol of Birds"
"El noi de la mare" (lit. "The Son of the Mother") Traditional 17th-18th century Also known as "Carol of the Gifts"[1]
Guitar arrangement of "El noi de la mare" (es)
"A Betlem me'n vull anar" (lit. "I want to go to Bethlehem") Traditional
"El dimoni escuat" (lit. "the devil with no tail") Traditional
"Ara ve Nadal" (lit. "Christmas is coming") Traditional
"Les dotze van tocant" (lit. "Ringing twelve o'clock") Traditional
"Descanseu ben alegres" (lit. "Rest very happy") Traditional
"Pastorets de la muntanya" (lit. "Shepherds from the mountain") Traditional
"El desembre congelat" (lit. "Frozen December") Traditional
"Sant Josep i la Mare de Déu" (lit. "Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary") Traditional
"La pastor Caterina" (lit. "Caterina, the shephard") Traditional
"Anem a Betlem" (lit. "We're going to Bethlehem") Traditional
"El rabadà" (lit. "The shephard") Traditional
Croatian[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year
published
Notes
"U to vrijeme godišta" ("At that time of the year") Traditional 12th century
"Svim na Zemlji, mir, veselje" ("All on Earth, peace, joy") Franjo Langer/Adam Alojzij Baričević 18th century
"Radujte se narodi" ("Nations rejoice") Franjo Langer/Adam Alojzij Baričević 18th century
"Narodi nam se" ("Born unto us") Traditional 13th century
"Tri kralja jahahu" ("Three kings were riding") Traditional 1912. From Istria
"Veselje ti navješćujem" ("Joy I preach you") Franjo Langer/Adam Alojzij Baričević 18th century
"O Betleme" ("Oh, Betlehem") Franjo Langer/Adam Alojzij Baričević 18th century
"Oj, pastiri" ("Oy, shepherds") Traditional
"Djetešce nam se rodilo" ("A child was born unto us") Traditional
" Veseli se Majko Božja" ("Rejoice, Mother of God") Vladoje Bersa 1906. From Knin
Czech[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Nesem vám noviny" ("We bring you good news, hark!") traditional from Bohemia "Come, All Ye Shepherds" (Mari Ruef Hofer, 1912)
German: "Kommet, ihr Hirten" (Carl Riedel, ca. 1870)
"Půjdem spolu do Betléma" ("Let's all go to Bethlehem.") traditional from Bohemia
"Štědrý večer nastal" ("Christmas Eve has come.") traditional from Bohemia
"Pásli ovce valaši" ("The men from Valassko are taking sheep out.") traditional from Bohemia
"Narodil se Kristus Pán" ("Jesus was born") traditional from Bohemia 1505
"Tichá noc" ("Silent night") traditional from Bohemia "Silent Night"
"Jak si krásné neviňátko" ("How beautiful you are, baby (means Jesus)") traditional from Bohemia
"Zither Carol" Czech folk tune - Sedlák, sedlák 1958 English lyrics by Malcolm Sargent, set to a traditional tune.[2] "Girls and boys, leave your toys..."
Dutch[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Nu Syt Wellekome"[3] Traditional melody Probably 15th Century
"Eere Zij God"[4] Attributed to F.A. Schultz, who translated ancient Latin carol, "Gloria in excelsis Deo," into German 1857, possible previous publication ca. 1730 translation of "Gloria in excelsis Deo" into Dutch by Isaac Bikkers
"Ere Zij God" Dutch traditional rendered into English as "Glory to God"
English[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Adam Lay Ybounden" Set by numerous composers, most notably by Boris Ord and Peter Warlock 15th century
"Angels from the Realms of Glory" words: James Montgomery; music (US): to the tune of "Regent Square" (UK): a slightly different arrangement of "Angels We Have Heard on High" ("Gloria")
"Angels We Have Heard on High" based on traditional hymn "Gloria" (a French traditional carol "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes"); English translation by Bishop James Chadwick, tune arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes 1862
"As with Gladness, Men of Old" William Chatterton Dix 1867 Set to same tune as “For the Beauty of the Earth”
"Away in a Manger" First two stanzas attributed to Martin Luther; third stanza written by John McFarland (1904) 1885
"Bethlehem Down" Peter Warlock (composer)
Bruce Blunt (poet) 1927 Mostly used in Christmas and Epiphany services of the Anglican church
"Boar's Head Carol" English traditional
"Calypso Carol" ("See him lying on a bed of straw") Michael Perry 1969 Written in 1964 for a college concert
"Candlelight Carol" John Rutter 1984
"Carol of the Bells" Mykola Leontoyvch, Peter J. Wilhousky 1904 The song is based on a folk chant known in Ukrainian as "Shchedryk".
"The Cherry Tree Carol" English traditional
"Children, Go Where I Send Thee" traditional African-American spiritual
"Christians Awake" John Byrom 1746
"A Christmas Carol" words and music: Charles E. Ives
"Christmas Day Is Come" (also known as "The Irish Carol") words by Fr. William Devereaux, 18th Century Irish traditional, Part of "The Kilmore Carols"
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" Charles Wesley 1749 Set to Hyfrydol
"Coventry Carol" ("Lullay, Thou Tiny Little Child") English traditional
"Curoo Curoo" ("The Carol of the Birds") Irish traditional
"The Darkest Midnight in December" words by Fr. William Devereaux 18th century Irish traditional, Part of "The Kilmore Carols"
"Ding Dong Merrily on High" music: Jehan Tabourot, words: George Ratcliffe Woodward
"Down in Yon Forest" English traditional The "Corpus Christi Carol"
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" written by Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne 1962
"Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains" words and music: John Menzies Macfarlane 1869
"The First Nowell" ("The First Noël") English traditional 1823 First published in Carols Ancient and Modern by William Sandys
"The Friendly Beasts" French Traditional 12th century English by Robert Davis 1934
"Gabriel's Message" translated into English by Sabine Baring-Gould from the Basque traditional carol "Birjina gaztettobat zegoen"
"Go Tell It on the Mountain" Lyrics by John W. Work 1865 African-American spiritual dating at least to 1865
"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" English traditional 1833 Published by William Sandys; author unknown
"Good Christian Men, Rejoice" Heinrich Seuse 1328 English lyrics fitted to the Latin hymn-tune "In Dulci Jubilo"; also known as "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice"
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" *music: Felix Mendelssohn, words: Charles Wesley, amended by George Whitefield and Martin Madan 1739 originally as part of Festgesang, adapted and harmonised by William Hayman Cummings; descant for verse 3 added in 1961 by Sir David Willcocks for the Carols for Choirs books
"Here We Come A-Wassailing" English traditional c. 1850
"The Holly and the Ivy" English traditional
"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" words: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, music: Johnny Marks
"I Pray on Christmas" written and by Harry Connick, Jr.
"I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In)" English traditional 1833 Published by William Sandys; parent tune "Greensleeves" dates to 17th century
"In the Bleak Midwinter" words: Christina Rossetti, music: Gustav Holst
"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" ("W żłobie leży") Polish traditional
"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" words: Edmund Hamilton Sears, music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1849
"I Wonder as I Wander" John Jacob Niles 1934 Based on a fragment collected by Niles in Murphy, North Carolina in 1933.
"Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" Elizabeth Poston
"Jingle Bells" James Pierpont 1857 Originally a song for Thanksgiving, now one of the most iconic Christmas carols
"Joy to the World" words: Isaac Watts based on Psalm 98, music: arranged by Lowell Mason based on themes in Handel's Messiah
"Judea" music: William Billings
"Little Donkey" written by Eric Boswell
"The Little Drummer Boy" ("Carol of the Drum") written by Katherine K. Davis 1957
"Love Came Down at Christmas" words: Christina Rossetti, music: various
"The Lord at first did Adam make" words: West Country traditional
"March of the Kings"
"Mary, Did You Know?" words: Mark Lowry, music: Buddy Greene 1984 /
1990
"Mary's Boy Child" (Mary's Little Boy Child) written by Jester Hairston 1956
"Mother Mary" written by Dennis Allen Cooke
"Night of Silence" words and music: Daniel Kantor 1981 written to be sung simultaneously with "Silent Night"
"O Come, All ye Faithful" (Adeste Fideles) 17th century carol. English translation by Frederick Oakeley in 1841.
"O come, O come, Emmanuel" ("Veni, Veni, Emmanuel") strictly an Advent hymn
"O Holy Night" words: Placide Cappeau de Rouquemaure, translated by John Sullivan Dwight, music: Adolphe Adam
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" words: Phillips Brooks, music (US): Lewis H. Redner, music (UK): traditional tune: "Forest Green" (a.k.a. "The Ploughboy's Dream")
"Of the Father's Love Begotten" ("Of the Father's Heart Begotten") music: tune from Piae Cantiones
"Once in Royal David's City" words: Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander, music: Henry John Gauntlett, (Irby)
"Past Three O'Clock" (or "Past Three a Clock") English traditional, with verses written by George Ratcliffe Woodward first published in The Cowley Carol Book with a harmonisation by Charles Wood
"Rocking Carol" ("Jesu, Jesu, Baby Dear" or "Little Jesus") Loose translation of Czech traditional carol "Hajej, nynej, Ježíšku" by Percy Dearmer First published in the Oxford Book of Carols (1928); popularised by Julie Andrews (1965) & The Carpenters (1984)
"Sans Day Carol" Cornish traditional
"See, Amid the Winter's Snow" words: Edward Caswall, music: John Goss
"The Seven Joys of Mary" English traditional
"Sir Christmas" composed by Rev. Richard Smart 15th century
"Star of the East" written by Alfred Hans Zoller, translation by George Cooper in 1890, music by Amanda Kennedy in 1883 1890
"The Sussex Carol" ("On Christmas Night All Christians Sing") English traditional
"Sweet Little Jesus Boy"
"This Endris Night" Traditional 15th century
"There Is No Rose" written by Benjamin Britten
"Torches" composed by John Joubert 1951
"A Virgin Unspotted" ("A Virgin Most Pure") English traditional
"We Three Kings of Orient Are" ("Three Kings of Orient") written by Rev. John Henry Hopkins 1863 strictly an Epiphany carol
"The Wexford Carol" ("Good People All, This Christmastide") Irish traditional Sometimes known as the "Enniscorthy Carol"
"What Child Is This?" music: traditional English song "Greensleeves", words: William Chatterton Dix
"Whence Is That Lovely Fragrance Wafting" ("Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?") ("Quelle est cette odeur agréable?") French traditional
"While by My Sheep I Watched at Night"
"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" words: Nahum Tate, music (UK): "Winchester Old" from Este's Psalter adapted from Christopher Tye, music (US): adapted from Handel
"With Wondering Awe", the Wisemen Saw... music and verse: Anon
"Wolcom Yole" Written by Benjamin Britten
"Zither Carol"
Filipino[edit]
Main article: List of Filipino Christmas carols
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" (Christmas Has Come) Tagalog lyrics by Levi Celerio: adapted from Cebuano lyrics by Vicente Rubi, Mariano Vestil 1933 A loose translation of the original Cebuano Kasadya ni'ng Táknaa
Finnish[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"En etsi valtaa, loistoa" ("Give Me No Splendour, Gold, or Pomp") words by Zachris Topelius (1887; Finnish translation by Martti Korpilahti, 1909); music by Jean Sibelius (1895) Translated from Finland Swedish "Giv mig ej glans, ej guld, ej prakt"
"Joulun kellot (fi)" ("Christmas Bells") words by Helmi Auvinen (1897); music by Armas Maasalo (1914)
"Joulupuu on rakennettu (fi)" ("Christmas tree has been built") words by Gustaf Oskar Schöneman (fi);[5][6][7] music Finnish folk melody[8] 1876
"Tonttu"
French[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Il est né, le divin enfant" Traditional French c. 1875
"Les Anges dans nos campagnes" Translated into English as "Angels We Have Heard on High"
"Minuit, Chrétiens" (Cantique de Noël) lyrics: Placide Cappeau, music: Alphonse Adam 1843 (lyrics), 1847 (music) Translated into English as "O Holy Night"
"Noël nouvelet" 15th century[9] Translated into English as "Sing We Now of Christmas"
"Patapan" ("Guillô, pran ton tamborin!") Burgundian traditional Title translation: Willy, take your tambourine
"Petit Papa Noël" lyrics: Raymond Vincy; music: Henri Martinet 1946
"C'est Noël" lyrics: Jean Manse; music: Henri Betti 1956 Song written for the movie Honoré de Marseille with Fernandel
"Quelle est cette odeur agréable?" Translated into English as "Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?"
"Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle" 1553 Translated into English as "Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella"
"La Marche Des Rois Mages" 13th century traditional Translated into English as "March of the Kings"
"Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris" 13th or 16th century Title translation: "Between the ox and the grey ass"
"Çà, bergers, assemblons-nous" music 15th/16th century; published 1701 with words by Simon-Joseph Pellegrin Title translation: "Here, shepherds, let us gather". Adapted from "Où s'en vont ces gais bergers".
"Venez divin Messie" music 16th century; published 18th century with words by Simon-Joseph Pellegrin Translated in English as "O Come, Divine Messiah".
"D'où viens-tu, bergère?" Title translation "Where are you coming from, shepherdess?"
"Dans cette étable" words 19th century Title translation: "In this stable". It is sung to the same music as "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen"
Galician[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Pois que dos reys Nostro Sennor (pt)"
(Since Our Lord chose to descend from the lineage of kings) Alfonso X of Castile 13th century One of the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM 424). It is the oldest Iberian Christmas carol written in a vernacular language
"Nadal De Luíntra"
("Luintra Carol") Traditional
"Null'ome per ren non deve" Alfonso X of Castile 13th century One of the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM 361)
German[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Alle Jahre wieder" ("Every Year Again") Friedrich Silcher /Wilhelm Hey 1837
"Am Weihnachtsbaume die Lichter brennen" ("Lights are Burning at Christmas Tree") traditional /Hermann Kletke 1841
"Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen" ("A Rose Has Sprung Up") Anonymous 16th century Translated into English as "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming", "Lo, There A Rose Is Blooming" and "There Is A Flower Springing"
"Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen" ("The Time Has Arrived for Us") Swiss traditional 19th century
"Es kommt ein Schiff, geladen" ("A Ship is Coming, laden") Andernach songbook 1608
"Fröhliche Weihnacht überall" ("Merry Christmas Everywhere") German and English traditional
"Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ" ("Praise be to You, Jesus Christ") Martin Luther 1524
"Ihr Kinderlein, kommet" ("Oh, Come, Little Children") Johann Abraham Peter Schulz /
Christoph von Schmid 1794 (music)/
1798 (lyrics)/
1832 (combination of text and music)
"In dulci jubilo" ("In Sweet Rejoicing") traditional 14th century
"Kling, Glöckchen" ("Ring Little Bell") traditional /Karl Enslin 19th century
"Kommet, ihr Hirten" ("Come, you Sheperds") Bohemian traditional
"Lasst uns das Kindlein grüßen" ("Let Us Greet the Little Child") traditional
"Lasst uns das Kindlein wiegen" ("Let Us Cradle the Little Child") Munich 1604
"Lasst uns froh und munter sein" ("Let Us Be Happy and Cheerful") traditional from the Hunsrück this song is traditionally sung at Nicholas Eve on December 6
"Leise rieselt der Schnee" ("Softly Falls Every Snow Flake") Eduard Ebel / Eduard Ebel about 1900
"Macht hoch die Tür" ("Open the Door High") Halle 1704
"Maria durch ein Dornwald ging" ("Maria Walks Amid the Thorns") traditional from Hesse 16th century
"Morgen, Kinder, wird's was geben" ("Tomorrow, Children, Something Will Happen") Carl Gottlieb Hering / Philipp Bartsch 1850
"Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann" ("Tomorrow comes Santa Claus") A. H. Hoffmann von Fallersleben 17th century
"O du fröhliche" ("Oh You Joyful") Johannes Daniel Falk / Heinrich Holzschuher 1816
"O Tannenbaum" ("O Christmas Tree") German traditional/ E. Anschütz, A. Zarnack 18th century translated into English as "O, Christmas Tree", 1824
"O Tannenbaum, du trägst ein grünen Zweig" ("O Christmas Tree, you Wear a Green Branch") Westphalian traditional
"Schneeflöckchen, Weissröckchen" ("Little Snow Flake, Little White Coat") Hedwig Haberkern 1869
"Still, still, still" ("Quiet, quiet, quiet") Maria Vinzenz Süß / G. Götsch 1865
"Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (de)" Josef Mohr / Franz Xaver Gruber 1818 "Silent Night", in the English translation by John Freeman Young
"Süßer die Glocken nie klingen" ("The Bells Never Sound Sweeter") traditional /Wilhelm Kritzinger
"Tausend Sterne sind ein Dom" ("Thousands Stars Form a Dome") Siegfried Köhler / Siegfried Köhler 1946
"Tochter Zion, freue dich!" ("Daughter Zion, Rejoice!") George Frederic Handel
"Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her" ("From Heaven Above to Earth I Come") traditional / Martin Luther 1539
"Vom Himmel hoch, o Englein kommt" ("From Heaven Above o Little Angels Come") Cologne 1623
"Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" ("How Lovely Shines the Morning Star") Philipp Nicolai 16th century
Greek[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Πόψι Χριστός γεννήθηκε"
"Καλήν Εσπέραν Άρχοντες"
"Popsi Christos gennithike"
Title translation: "Tonight Christ was born"
Hungarian[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Mennyből az angyal" ("Angels from Heaven")
"Csendes éj" ("Silent Night")
"Pásztorok, Pásztorok"
"Kis karácsony, nagy karácsony"
"Ó, gyönyörű szép"
"A kis Jézus arany alma"
"Csordapásztorok"
Huron[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Huron Carol") Jean de Brébeuf 1643 "Jesus, he is born". Also known as "Twas in the Moon of Wintertime" after English translation (1926) by Jesse Edgar Middleton.
Irish[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"An Ciarrí Carúl Nollaig" ("The Kerry Christmas Carol") Irish traditional
"Don Oíche úd I mBeithil" Irish traditional
"Oíche Nollag" (Christmas Eve") Irish traditional
"The Wexford Carol" Irish traditional
Italian[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Gesù bambino" ("The Infant Jesus") Pietro Yon 1917 "When Blossoms Flowered" in English
"Tu scendi dalle stelle" ("From Starry Skies Thou Comest") Italian traditional
"Dormi, dormi, bel Bambin"
Latin[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Adeste Fideles" ("O Come All Ye Faithful") attributed to John Francis Wade, Latin words translated by Frederick Oakeley c. 1743
"Gaudete" ("Rejoice") sacred Christmas carol 1582 re-popularized by Steeleye Span (1973)
"In Dulci Jubilo" Heinrich Seuse 1328 Macaronic carol known in several translations; melody is also used for the English song "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" (aka, "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice")
"O Sanctissima" ("O du Fröhliche" or "Oh, How Joyfully")
"Veni, veni Emmanuel" ("O Come, O Come Emmanuel")
Norwegian[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Musevisa" Alf Prøysen 1946 Lyrics are by Prøysen, set to a traditional tune.[10]
Occitan[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"La Cambo me fai mau" ("My leg hurts") Nicolas Saboly / anonymous
Polish[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Ach, ubogi żłobie" ("Oh, the humble manger") Piotr Studziński / anonym 17th century
"Ach, witajże pożądana" ("Oh, to be greeting desired") Traditional <1908
"Anioł pasterzom mówił" ("The angel told the shepherds") Traditional 1551-1555
"A wczora z wieczora" ("And yesterday on evening") Traditional <1630
"Będzie kolęda" ("It will be a carol") Andrzej Zieliński (pl) / Wojciech Młynarski 1968 Skaldowie
"Bóg się rodzi" ("God is born") Franciszek Karpiński 1792
"Bracia patrzcie jeno" ("Brothers let you look on how the sky is burning") Franciszek Karpiński <1825
"Cicha noc" ("Silent Night") Franz Xaver Gruber / Piotr Maszyński Polish version of the German carol
"Do szopy, hej, pasterze" ("To the shed, hey, shepherds") Traditional
"Dzisiaj w Betlejem" ("Today in Bethlehem") Traditional 1878
"Gdy się Chrystus rodzi" ("When the Christ's being born") Traditional 1843
"Gdy śliczna Panna" ("As the beautiful Virgin [cradled Her Son]") Traditional beginning of 18th century
"Hej, w dzień narodzenia" ("Hey, on the day of the Nativity") Traditional
"Jest taki dzień" ("There is such a day") Seweryn Krajewski / Krzysztof Dzikowski 1966 Czerwone Gitary
"Jezus malusieńki" ("The wee baby Jesus") Traditional
"Lulajże, Jezuniu" (Sleep now, baby Jesus") Traditional 1738 Frédéric Chopin used this Christmas carol in the Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
"Mędrcy świata, Monarchowie" ("O, Sages of the world, Monarchs") Traditional 17th century
"Mizerna, cicha" ("Humble and quiet [shabby little stable]") Jan Gall / Teofil Lenartowicz 1849
"Nie było miejsca dla Ciebie" ("There was no place for You") 1940-1944 by polish anonym in nazi's death camp
"Oj, Maluśki, Maluśki, Maluśki" ("Oh, Tiny Little [like a little glove]") Traditional highland-style <1808
"Pasterze mili coście widzieli" ("Kind shepherds what you've seen") Traditional <1752
"Pójdźmy wszyscy do stajenki" ("Let us go to the little shed") Traditional <1842 in Cracow
"Przybieżeli do Betlejem" ("To Betlehem came [the shepherds]") Traditional 17th century
"Tryumfy Króla Niebieskiego" ("The Triumphs of the Heaven's King") Traditional 1754
"Wesołą nowinę" ("The joyous news [hear, o my brothers]") Traditional / Józef Wygrzywalski
"W kropki zielone" ("With green dotted") Krzesimir Dębski / Jan Twardowski 1998 sung by Ewa Małas-Godlewska
"Wśród nocnej ciszy" ("In the night silence") Traditional <1853
"W żłobie leży" ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly") Piotr Skarga 17th century
"Z narodzenia Pana" ("Because of the Lord's birth [it's a joyful day]") Traditional 1842
"Zdrow bądź, krolu anjelski" Traditional 1424
Portuguese[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"A todos um Bom Natal"
("Merry Christmas To You All") César Batalha/Lúcia Carvalho 1980
"Alegrem-se os Céus e a Terra (pt)"
("Rejoice, You Heavens And Earth") Traditional 18th century
"Beijai o Menino (pt)"
("Give Infant Jesus A Kiss") Traditional 1934
"Eu hei de dar ao Menino (pt)"
("I Shall Give The Boy") Traditional 18th century
"Eu hei de m'ir ao presépio (pt)"
("I Shall Visit The Manger") Traditional 19-20th century Translated into English as "I See Your Cradle is Bare" by Lorenz Maierhofer
"José embala o Menino (pt)"
("Joseph Cradles The Infant Jesus") Traditional 1947
"Natal africano (pt)"
("African Carol") Traditional
"Natal da Índia Portuguesa (pt)"
("Portuguese India Carol") Traditional 18th century
"Natal dos Simples (pt)"
("Carol Of The Poor") José Afonso 1968 A New Year's carol
"O Menino está com frio (pt)"
("The Infant Jesus Is Cold") Traditional 16th century
"O Menino está dormindo"
("The Infant Jesus Is Sleeping") Traditional 18-19th century
"Oh bento airoso (pt)"
("O Blessed And Graceful Mystery") Traditional 15-16th century
"Pela Noite de Natal (pt)"
("During The Christmas Night") Traditional 16th century Translated into English as "All That Wondrous Christmas Night" by Eduardo Marzo
"Roxozinho está deitado (pt)"
("The Rosy-cheeked Boy Is Lying") Traditional 1889
"Sã qui turo zente pleta"
("All Here Are Black People") Anonymous 1643
Romanian[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"O, ce veste minunată!" Traditional
"Pluguşorul" Traditional related rather to New Year's Eve
"Deschide uşa, creştine!" Traditional
"Linu-i lin." Traditional
"Florile dalbe" Traditional
"Domn,domn sa-năltăm!" Traditional
"Leganelul Lui Iisus" Traditional
"Asta-i seara de Craciun" Traditional
"Mos Craciun cu plete dalbe" Traditional
Slovakian[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Svatý Václave" words: John Mason Neale, music: tune from Piae Cantiones 1853 rendered in English as "Good King Wenceslas"
Spanish[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Feliz Navidad" José Feliciano 1970
"Arre borriquito" Traditional
"Hacia Belén va una burra" Traditional
"Ay del chiquirritín" Traditional
"Ande, ande, ande la marimorena" Traditional
"Dime niño de quién eres" Traditional
"Canta, ríe y bebe" Traditional
"Las doce palabritas" Traditional
"No hay tal andar" Traditional
"Los campanilleros" Traditional
"Ya vienen los Reyes Magos" Traditional
"Campana sobre campana" Traditional
"Noche de paz" ("Silent Night")
"Blanca Navidad" ("White Christmas")
"Los peces en el río" Traditional
"Alepún" Traditional
"Alegría, alegría y placer" Traditional
"Pastores venid" Traditional
"Mi burrito sabanero" Traditional
"A la Nanita Nana" Traditional 18th century
"Vamos todos a Belen"
Swedish[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Giv mig ej glans, ej guld, ej prakt" ("Give Me No Splendour, Gold, or Pomp") words by Zachris Topelius (1887); music by Jean Sibelius (1895) Finland Swedish song
"Gläns över sjö och strand" ("Shine Over the Lake and the Shore") words by Viktor Rydberg (1891) music by Alice Tegnér (1893)
"När det lider mot jul" ("When Christmas Has Come")
"Nu har vi ljus här i vårt hus" ("We have Kindled the Candles in Our House Now") in Sweden it is tradition to dance around the Christmas tree and sing, this being one of the traditional songs sung
"Nu tändas tusen juleljus" ("We Have Kindled Thousands of Christmas Lights Now") words and music by Emmy Köhler
"Räven raskar över isen" (The Fox Is Sliding Over the Ice) in Sweden it is tradition to dance around the Christmas tree and sing, this being one of the traditional songs sung
"Sankta Lucia"
"Var hälsad, sköna morgonstund" ("All Hail to Thee, O Blessed Morn") words by Johan Olof Wallin; music by Philipp Nicolai
Ukrainian[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
"Бог предвічний народився"
"Boh predvičnyj narodilsja"
(God Eternal is Born) 1790[11] Probably considered the quintessential Ukrainian carol
"Небо і земля нині торжествують"
"Nebo i zemlia nyni torzhestvuiut" (uk)
(Heaven and Earth Rejoice Today) 1790[11] Refrain is often sung as a round.
"Бог ся рождає"
"Boh sia rozhdaie" (uk)
(God is Born) Остап Нижанківський (1862–1919)
"Ostap Nyzhankivs'kyi" (uk)
"Во Вифлиємі нині новина"
"Vo Vyfleiemi nyni novyna" (uk)
(In Bethlehem today there are tidings) Остап Нижанківський (1862–1919)
"Ostap Nyzhankivs'kyi" (uk)
"Добрий вечір тобі"
"Dobryi vechir tobi"
(Good Evening to You) Sung when caroling, upon arrival at a house; not used in church.
"Нова радість стала"
"Nova radist' stala" (uk)
(A New Joy Came) 1790[11]
На небі зірка ясна засяла
"Na nebi zirka yasna zasiala"
(In the Heavens a Bright Star Shone)
По всьому світу стала новина
"Po vsiomu svitu stala novyna"
(Over all the Earth a New Event Occurred)
"Виді Бог, виді Сотворитель"
"Vydi Boh, vydi Sotvorytel" (uk)
(God, the Creator, Sees) apocryphal
arr. Кирило Стеценко (Kyrylo Stetsenko) 1790[11]
Спи, Ісусе, спи
"Spy, Isuse, spy"
(Sleep, Jesus, Sleep)
"Днесь поюще" Popsi Christos gennithike (Singing Today) arr. Кирило Стеценко (Kyrylo Stetsenko)
Тиха ніч, свята ніч
"Tykha nich, sviata nich"
(Silent Night, Holy Night) A translation of Stille Nacht Joseph Mohr/Franz Xaver Gruber into Ukrainian.
"Щедрик"
"Schedryk" Микола Леонтович
Mykola Leontovych Not truly a Christmas carol, but rather, a secular song of good wishes for prosperity, traditionally sung on Щедрий Вечір (Shchedryi Vechir, i.e. Theophany Eve). Melody used for the English "Carol of the Bells" and, in the 1970s-1980s, for André champagne commercials.
See also: Список українських колядок і щедрівок (uk) (List of Ukrainian carols on the Ukrainian Wikipedia)
Welsh[edit]
Carol Composer /Lyricist Year published Notes
""Oer yw'r gŵr sy'n methu caru" Thomas Oliphant (English lyrics) 1862-74 rendered in English as "Deck the Hall"
The legend behind one of the most popular Christmas carols in the world plays out as a sort of Christmas miracle. The story goes that Father Joseph Mohr of Oberndorf, Austria, was determined to have music at his Christmas Eve service, even though the organ at his beloved St Nicholas Church was broken. So, he penned a poem and asked his friend Franz Gruber to compose a score for it that would not demand an organ. The truth; however, is a little less dramatic.
In 1816, the Catholic priest wrote the poem "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!" while stationed at a pilgrim church in Mariapfarr, Austria. When he transferred to St. Nicholas's two years later, he did ask Gruber to help him write guitar music for the poem, which the two performed—backed by a choir—on Christmas Eve of 1818. "Silent Night" was translated into English more than 40 years later by Episcopal priest John Freeman Young, who is responsible for the version Americans favor. The song has been translated into 142 languages to date.
//
Penned by James "Haven" Gillespie, this jolly tune was first performed on American singer Eddie Cantor's radio show in 1934. But for all its mirth, its inspiration came from a place of grief. In his book Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas, Ace Collins explains how Gillespie was a vaudevillian-turned-songwriter who'd fallen on hard times, both financially and personally. Gillespie got the call to pen a Christmas tune for Cantor just after learning his brother had died.
Initially, he rejected the job, feeling too overcome with grief to consider penning a playful holiday ditty. But a subway ride recollecting his childhood with his brother and his mother's warnings that Santa was watching changed his mind. He had the lyrics in 15 minutes, then called in composer John Coots to make up the music that would become a big hit within 24 hours of its debut.
