A General History of Christmas Carols

Material compiled and edited from:
"Christmas, Its Carols, Customs and Legends" by Ruth Heller
"Christmas Songs and Carols" by Henry W. Simon
"The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians" by Stanley Sadie

The first carol to be heard on Earth was sung by the angels the night Jesus was born. Ever since, Christians have continued to sing the glad tidings of Jesus' birth.

The origin of the word "carol" remains a puzzle. Some say it comes from the medieval 1 "circle" or "ring" dance called a "carolare," which was accompanied by singing. Others believe that "carol" may have come from the Greek word for "flute player," referring to the musician who accompanied the singing of the dancing group. Many of the early carols were sung to popular dance tunes. Although carols were frowned upon by the established Church, they were popular with the common people because they expressed the joy of Christmas in music and language that was understood and enjoyed by all. Later, as better stanzas 2 were prepared for the dancers and onlookers to sing, the word carol came to apply more to the song lyrics 3 than the dances. In striking contrast to the slow, monotonous chants of the established Church, carols were exciting, happy and cheerful. They were used and loved by the people far more than the hymns and chants that had received the stamp of approval from the church authorities in Rome, Athens or Jerusalem.

Since the first carols were handed down from one generation to the next by word of mouth rather than being written down, several versions of the same carol may be found today.

St. Francis of Assisi is considered the "Father of the Christmas Carol." During ceremonies at his nativity scene in Graecia, Italy, in 1224, St. Francis led his followers in songs of praises to the newborn King. From his jovial 4 singing came about a new idea regarding the holiday season--that of singing "Christmas carols."

By the 14th century, carols had become more melodic and were being used between the acts of the "mystery plays"--Bible stories or other religious lessons which were taught to the people in skit form at town squares or other locations where people gathered. The carols were first sung as interludes 5 but gradually became integral 6 parts of the Christmas plays. If the audience showed great approval for the carol singing, the singers would march off the stage into the street, singing their carols. This was the beginning of the custom of caroling as we know it today.

By the 15th century, people were beginning to be freed from old Church teachings which denounced dancing and communal singing of hymns and carols by people other than the trained church choir. The common people began to express their own feelings about Christian music, preferring to sing in their own languages, instead of in Latin. As a result, carols began to develop in the languages of the people, sometimes with choruses in Latin. A gradual substitution of folk songs and dance tunes for the solemn church music took place. The public wanted music that was less severe and more lively. The popularity of bards 7 and wandering minstrels and the growth of ballads also had a strong influence on religious music.

In 1521, Wynkyn de Word, an English printer's apprentice 8, produced the first printed book of carols. In 1562, the Lord Mayor of London gave Thomas Tyndale a license to print "certain goodly carols to be sung to the glory of God." The carols were widely distributed in England through printed "broadsides" or "broadsheets"--little leaflets containing three or more carols sold for only one penny. Broadsheets were often illustrated with crude woodcuts, showing nativity scenes. They were easy to read, and helped people get acquainted with Christmas music.

During the 16th century, carols became more and more popular. English carols continued to flourish, and throughout the rest of Europe folk songs were becoming increasingly popular, with a special emphasis on the Christmas season.

Martin Luther, the famous Reformation 9 leader in Germany, realized the importance of music in people's lives. He loved music, and as a boy sang in the village choir, where he received his musical education. After the establishment of the Lutheran Church, he promoted congregational singing, "encouraging melodies to be sung by the workers in the field, by the wayside, or indeed, anywhere, to help the people be strengthened in the faith."
During the 17th century, however, the Puritans 10 did away with holiday observance, including caroling. But after the restoration of King Charles II of England, in 1660, caroling came back into the open again, and a new book of carols was published.

During the 18th century, carols were looked down upon by sophisticated city dwellers as commonplace and rustic 11 In fact, during the boyhood years of Charles Dickens (1812-1870), the author of the story "A Christmas Carol," carols and caroling had almost disappeared.

Fortunately, certain scholars and pastors began to collect and preserve traditional carols, and it is because of their efforts that these folk songs were not totally lost to generations to come. Schools and choirs in villages and countryside regions sang and helped to keep them alive. By the last half of the 19th century, carols and caroling had again become an important part of Christmas celebrations, both in churches and in homes.

Now in the 20th century, the singing of Christmas carols and hymns has become an all-around accepted event, and many new Christmas songs have been composed.

In the following pages you will read how some of our favorite carols came to be written, and a little about the lives and experiences of some of the composers.

Away in a Manger

Words: Anonymous
Music: German melody

In 1224, St. Francis of Assisi was wrestling with a problem. The Gospel message had become so intellectual that it was cold and dogmatic. "It must be simplified so that it might appeal to the heart of the common people," he resolved. Then an idea came to him. "Why not dramatize the Christmas story? The common folk will then be able to better understand the meaning of Christmas."

So he had a manger and all the trappings of a stable placed in his church at Graecia, Italy. On Christmas Eve, the members of his parish came to the church, and there, before their very eyes, were Joseph and Mary, and the Child in the manger. The people rejoiced! Christmas had never seemed so real to them.

Since that time, the manger has become the subject of many Christmas carols and lullabies. One of the best known of these is "Away in a Manger." This song is generally referred to as "Luther's Cradle Hymn." In 1887, the tune appeared in print in North America, with the subheading, "Composed by Martin Luther for his children, and still sung by German mothers to their little ones." The authorship of the lyrics has never been verified, and the source of the tune is still unknown. Some say it could have been composed by a member of a German Lutheran colony from Pennsylvania.


Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a 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 makes.
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 my I pray.
Bless all the dear children, in thy tender care.
And take them to heaven, o be with thee there.

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Words: Anonymous--16th century traditional English carol
Music: Sir John Stainer

One of the most popular English carols is "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." It's interesting to notice that the comma after "Merry" is often misplaced, causing it to read "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen." Yet the original punctuation helps to indicate that the song is for all gentlemen--to one and all--whether merry or not, with the hope and blessing that God will cause them to be merry.

The origin of the carol is still a mystery; some believe it is from Cornwall, England. There are several different versions, some of which go back to the 16th century. Even though written in a minor key, this song expresses Christmas joy, and is happy and triumphant. With music written by Sir John Stainer, "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" was usually the first carol heard on the streets of London at Christmas time.


God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, 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
The Son of God 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 down,
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
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Good King Wenceslas

Words: John Mason Neale (1818-1866)
Music: 16th century Swedish-German hymn

This song is based on a story about Prince-Duke Wenceslas of Bohemia (907-929), martyr and patron saint of Czechoslovakia, who ruled in Bohemia from 923 to 929. He was raised a Christian by his grandmother. At 16 years old, Wenceslas took over the reins of government from his mother, who was a pagan. He was very devout and was said to have had the power to perform miracles.

He encouraged the work of German missionary priests in the Christianization of Bohemia, and showed great liberality to the poor, especially at Christmas and St. Stephen's Day, December 26th (called "Boxing Day" in some countries). His zeal in spreading Christianity, however, antagonized his non-Christian opponents. Heathen enemies conspired against Wenceslas, and in 929, his younger brother, Boleslav, murdered him.

Wenceslas was regarded as Bohemia's patron saint almost immediately after he was assassinated.


Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shown the moon that night,
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gathering winter fuel.

Hither, page, and stand by me.
If thou know 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 the 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.
Ark my footsteps my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly:
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.

In his master's step he trod,
Where the snow lay dented.
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.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788),
Rev. George Whitefield (1714-1770)
Music: Felix Bartholdy Mendelssohn (1809-1847),
William H. Cummings (1831-1915)

Charles Wesley, born in England in 1707, was the brother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. When Charles was thirteen years old, a wealthy Irishman offered to adopt him and make him his legal heir. However, Charles refused the offer, choosing to continue his way through school under very trying circumstances.

Charles followed in the footsteps of his father, and older brother, John, in studying to become a preacher. He wrote his first hymn just three days after his conversion. That hymn was "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing." Within the following years, he is said to have written about 6,500 hymns and gospel songs on every conceivable subject. It was in 1738, at the age of 31, he wrote "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

By the time Charles Wesley sat down to write this carol, he had already had more than his share of adventure and travel. He had visited the "New World," to the colony of Georgia in America, as secretary to the colony's founder, General Oglethorpe. He was accompanied by his brother John who had plans to convert the Indians. During their trans-Atlantic voyage, the Wesley brothers were greatly influenced by a devout Christian group (the Moravians), who helped them discover in God's Word the joy of Salvation by grace. Charles particularly enjoyed listening to these Christians sing hymns while aboard the ship.

A year later, due to ill health, the Wesley brothers returned to England where they banded together as travelling preachers to spread the Gospel throughout the English countryside.

It was in 1739, while meditating upon the birth of Jesus, that Charles sat down and wrote the first of ten stanzas that contained these words:

"Hark! How all the welkin rings,
`Glory to the King of Kings,
Peace on Earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.'"

Wesley's ten stanzas underwent a series of alterations and adjustments until Rev. George Whitefield, a co-worker, settled the matter once and for all by omitting the rather awkward word "welkin" (an old English word for "the vault of Heaven"), and rewriting the first two lines to instead read:

"Hark! The herald angels sing,
`Glory to the new-born King.'"

The great composer, Felix Bartholdy Mendelssohn, was born a Jew, but later became a Christian. Mendelssohn became almost as prolific a composer as Charles Wesley was a poet, and had he lived as long as Wesley, he doubtless would have equaled Charles' creative output in musical compositions.

For an anniversary celebration commemorating Gutenburg's invention of the printing press, Mendelssohn was commissioned to compose suitable music, and so in 1840, he wrote a cantata 15 called "Festival Song."

Mendelssohn was not completely satisfied with the original words to the melody. He told the printers, "Perhaps words suitable for a marriage ceremony should be put to it, but it will never do to sacred words."

An English professor of music, William H. Cummings, however, proved Mendelssohn wrong, when, in 1855, fifteen years later, he suddenly discovered that two sections of Mendelssohn's "Festival Song" fit perfectly with Wesley's Christmas poem. He arranged the song for his choir and presented it on Christmas day.

Since its publication in 1856, it has superseded 16 every other tune to which Wesley's stanzas had formerly been sung, and now is generally recognized as one of the most inspiring tunes the composer was to write during his brief life of thirty-eight years. Although Mendelssohn considered his tune a secular 17 one, God obviously had a better and higher purpose for it!

* * *

Moravian Church
Originating in Moravia, a region in the former Czechoslovakia, this Protestant denomination was formed after the death of religious reformer John Hus.

In 1457, some supporters of the martyred Hus organized themselves as the Unitas Fratrum (Unity of Brethren). They stressed the sole authority of the Bible; simplicity in worship; receiving the Lord's Supper in faith without authoritative human explanation; and disciplined Christian living. They suffered great persecution during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). The group revived in Germany in the early 1700s. They wanted to return to the simple life, and first immigrated to America in 1735.


Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain

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.
Risen with healing in his wings,
Light and life to all he brings,
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Refrain

Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the Woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head.
Adam's likeness now efface:
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam, from above,
Reinstate us in thy love. Refrain

How Brightly Beams the Morning Star

Words and music: Philipp Nicolai

In 1597, a pestilence raged throughout Westphalia (a region of western Germany). Thousands of people died and few families escaped without the loss of one or more of their loved ones. Out of this tragedy sprang one of the greatest hymns, "How Brightly Beams the Morning Star."

Philipp Nicolai, author and composer of the hymn, was a pastor in the city of Unna. The pestilence had already taken its toll on several of his relatives. Early one morning, as he sat in his study, weary and downcast, he lifted up his heart to God, and found comfort in his sorrow. He forgot his cares and was seized with the inspiration to write this song.

Nicolai first published his hymn in 1599. It was used for almost all religious occasions, especially weddings, funerals, and Communion. As early as 1610, Nicolai's hymn appeared in the hymnal of Sweden, where it was used during the Christmas season.

Johann Sebastian Bach, the famous composer, apparently had a high regard for the tune, for he used it as a basic theme in one of his greatest organ preludes,35 and included it in one of his cantatas.


How Brightly Beams the Morning Star

How brightly beams the Morning Star!
What sudden radiance from afar
Doth glad us with its shining.
Thy word, Jesus, truly feeds us,
Rightly leads us, life bestowing.
Praise, O praise such love o'er flowing.

The ray of God that breaks our night
And fills the darkened souls with light,
Who long for truth were pining.
Thy word, Jesus, truly feeds us,
Rightly leads us, life bestowing.
Praise, O praise such love o'er flowing.

How Firm a Foundation

Words: probably Robert Keene
Music: Samuel Webbe, Sr. (1740-1816)

"How Firm a Foundation," is sung to the same tune as "O Come, All Ye Faithful." With lyrics believed to have been written by Robert Keene, one of the musical directors of London's churches, "How Firm a Foundation" became immensely popular. This hymn was the personal choice of General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army during the U.S. Civil War, who requested that it be sung at his funeral "as an expression of his full trust in the ways of the Heavenly Father."


How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.