Christmassy Things: Carols

Yep, these are old, festive songs. Usually, but not always, Carols have a religious theme. They are not the same as 'Christmas songs' - tunes like 'White Christmas' were created in the 20th century, and are (for now anyway!) something more commercial. 

Most Carols go back much further, and were popular songs maybe 700 or 800 years ago! Some were originally folk songs. A lot also appeared in the 19th century, and even a couple in the 20th century, written as religious songs by famous composers - but I am not sure if these are very popular generally. Some of the old Carols were shared across Christian countries, with translations into various local languages. 

Carols are also Hymns (religious songs) but they are special, because they are for a specific festival. In fact the earliest Carols were Roman, and sung as far back as the 4th century, and apparently a couple of old Easter Carols also still exist. (I have never heard either.)

In the UK, you will hear Christmas Carols sung by choirs (for religious, and non-religious performances) and by congregations in Churches over the festive period. There is also a tradition of 'Carol Singing': groups of people who practice singing the songs well, and perform them in public spaces, or door-to-door, to collect money for charity. Carol Singers are called 'Carolers' in the US.

Here are some famous Carols in the UK, with their origins: 

• Good King Wenceslas (English, based on a Czech story)
• Ding Dong Merrily on High (English)
• Silent Night (Austrian) 
• O Little Town of Bethlehem (American)
• O Come, All Ye Faithful (maybe English or Portuguese) 
• Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (English) 
• The Holly and the Ivy (English) 
• Zither Carol (Czech)

Most Christian British people are very familiar with these Carols, because we used to sing them at school, or hear them frequently in town centres, on TV etc. They are not very cool or hipster, but a lot of them are happy and enjoyable to sing! My family used to go to the Church service late at night on Christmas Eve, and enjoy singing as part of it. 

The larger Churches, Cathedrals and Abbeys, also have their own choirs - including very young boys singing soprano/alto called 'choirboys'. The latter is a very odd tradition, when put in modern day context especially - I am not sure when or why the idea of choirboys originated (I suspect to eliminate the need for female singers!) but they are an old fixture of the Christian Church. Having said this, I sang in a choir (of adults) in London many years ago, and we had one session joined by the Westminster choristers (choirboys from the Westminster Abbey Choir - which is very famous). They were young boys, but extremely disciplined and well versed with music. They sang most of our choral piece perfectly, just by reading the music for the first time! 

Here are two of my favourite Carols: The Holly and the Ivy (sung by King's College Choir), and Zither Carol (sung by Westminster Abbey Choir):

Happy singing, and Merry Christmas! 

Photo:  "Carolers at the Door" by Charlotte Joan Sternberg