What would Christmas be without carols?

These days, carols and carol singing are inextricably tied to Christmas, but it should be remembered that carols have been written for many other festivals that occur throughout the year. A song does not even have to have any religious relevance for it to be called a carol!

There is, of course, a whole chapter on the subject of Christmas carols in What is Myrrh Anyway? However, due to such things as word limits and page limits, I wasn't quite able to cram in all the tasty facts about carols I would have liked, so here they are - presented for free! A small Christmas gift from me to you. ;-)

Did you know...?
Joy to the World was written by Isaac Watts in 1719. However, the current music that accompanies the carol was adapted from Handel’s Messiah by Lowell Mason.

Did you know...?

Adeste Fideles (which is also known as O Come All Ye Faithful), was supposedly written by Saint Bonaventure, Saint Francis’ biographer, who died in 1274. However, the earliest existing manuscript is dated 1790 and signed by one John Francis Wade, a French Catholic music dealer.

Did you know...?

Origins of God Rest You Merry Gentlemen are obscure but it is likely that it comes from 16th century Cornwall.

Did you know...?

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing was originally written by Charles Wesley, the famous hymn-writer, in 1737.

Did you know...?
The children’s favourite Away in the Manger was inspired by Martin Luther’s From Heaven Above I Come to You, written in 1535.