Christmas carols and where they come from

APART from the tinsel, trees, and exchanging of gifts, one of the most important Christmas traditions is the singing of carols.

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Here are some of the most popular carols and the stories behind them:

Jingle Bells
‘Jingle Bells’ was originally titled ‘The One Horse Open Sleigh’ written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857.
‘The One Horse Open Sleigh’ was meant for a Thanksgiving programme at a church in Georgia, USA, where Pierpont was the organist.
The song was so well accepted that it was again sung on Christmas Day and has since become one of the most popular Christmas carols

Lyrics
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh

Holy Night
‘Holy Night’ was originally a French carol written in 1847.
Placide Cappeau, a wine seller from southern France, was asked by the local parish priest to write a festive poem to celebrate the church organ’s renovation.
Cappeau felt it should be accompanied by music, so he approached Adolphe Charles Adams.
The carol was translated into English a decade later and has become a much-loved Christmas carol across the world.

Lyrics
O holy night, The stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of Our dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world In sin and error pining,
Till He appeared 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!

Silent Night
‘Silent Night’ was originally an Austrian carol named ‘Stille Nacht’.
Rumour has it that the carol was written in haste when the village church organ broke on Christmas Eve, 1818.
That night the congregation listened to Father Joseph Mohr and choir director Franz Xaver Gruber singing ‘Stille Nacht’ to the accompaniment of Father Mohr’s guitar.

Lyrics
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 Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born.

Joy to the World
‘Joy to the World’ was originally part of a book of poems written in 1719 by English hymn writer Isaacs Watts.
The words are based on the Biblical book of Psalm 98.
The poem was discovered 100 years later by Boston music teacher Lowell Mason, who set it to the music of his favourite composer, Handel.

Lyrics
Joy to the World; the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing.
And Heaven and nature sing.
And Heaven and nature sing!

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