Church bells are ringing and choirs are singing – it’s that time of year. If you are a member of a choir, December is the ultimate time, perhaps the most intense when learning and rehearsing the music, but all worth it. You know practice makes perfect, but it’s hard for a dedicated choir to sound otherwise in the ears of the church, the school, or the community. Because especially in the Deep South, Christmas cantatas/carols are revered. I have researched online several popular Christmas carols pertaining to their historic facts. I have listed only a few, but I invite you to enjoy the entire web site – www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! – The words are from 1739 by Charles Wesley whose brother, John, founded the Methodist Church. The music is from the second chorus of a cantata by Felix Mendelssohn. In 1855, after the death of Wesley and Mendelssohn, Dr. William Cummings put the words and music together.
The First Noel – Historians think the music is from the 16th or 17th century France, however, others claim there were never any French origins and the music is very English. It first appeared in print in England in a collection by William Sandys (1833).
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – Unitarian minister, Dr. Edmund Sears, is credited for writing a poem in 1849 that inspired Richard Storrs Willis, a composer, editor, and critic for the New York Tribune. Willis wrote a melody to which the words of the poem were adapted.
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen — A traditional English carol going back to the 16th or 17th century. The unusual harmonization, like that of “The First Noel” is from Sir John Stainer (1840-1941).
O Holy Night – This carol was written by Adolphe Charles Adam (1803-1856), the French composer best known for his ballet “Giselle.” At the time, it was frowned upon by church authorities who denounced it for lack of musical taste and “total absence of the spirit of religion.” The French text is by Cappeau de Roquemaure; the English by American clergyman John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).
We Three Kings of Orient Are – This American carol was written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins (words and music) as part of a Christmas pageant for the General Theological Seminary in New York City.
What Child Is This – The melody (Greensleeves) dates from Elizabethan time, possibly even earlier? The original lyrics dated 1850 were written by Richard Jones, however, they were neither religious nor respectable. In 1865 William Chatterton Dix (English) wrote The Manger Throne, three verses of which became What Child Is This.
Deck the Halls – The music is an old Welsh melody. Mozart used it in a piano and violin duet in the 1700s. The words are believed to be American from the 19th century.
Away in a Manger – The first two verses of this carol were originally published in a Lutheran Sunday School book in 1885. Two years later, James R. Murray published it as Luther’s Cradle Hymn thus creating the misconception that Luther had written it. Although some attribute the words to Luther, they are usually considered American anonymous. Some credit the music to Murray; others think he merely harmonized an old German folk song. The words are sometimes sung to the tune of the Scottish song Flow Gently Sweet Afton. The sweet carol is a favorite of children throughout the world.
Silent Night – This carol was written in 1818 in Oberndorf, Austria. It is said that the organ at St. Nicholas Church was broken, however, Joseph Mohr, the assistant pastor of the church, loved guitar music and possibly suggested the instrumentation featuring a guitar. Mohr had written a poem “Stille Nacht” in 1816. On December 24, 1818, he gave the poem to his friend, the church organist, Franz Gruber, who immediately composed the melody and arranged it for two voices, choir, and guitar. It was finished in time to be performed that night at the Midnight Mass. By 1955, Silent Night had become the most recorded song of all time.
O Little Town of Bethlehem – In 1868, Bishop Phillip Brooks (1835-1903) wrote the words in Philadelphia. He was recalling his trip to the Holy Land three years earlier, especially the view of Bethlehem from the hills of Palestine at night. His church organist, Lewis Redner (1831-1908) wrote the music for the Sunday School children’s choir.
O Come All Ye Faithful – This carol is sometimes attributed to John Wade, a British exile living in France. Otherwise it is considered to be an anonymous Latin Hymn. Around 1751, Wade put the text with music, probably by John Reading (English). In 1853 the familiar translation first appeared, attributed to Rev. Frederick Oakley.
Two more recent favorite Christmas Songs:
Mary, Did You Know? – Lyrics written in 1984 by Mark Lowry and music by Buddy Greene — (first verse below).
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you.
Oh, Mary, did you know.
Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child – Written in the early 1950s by African American gospel singer, Margaret Allison. She performed with the Angelic Gospel Singers – (first verse below).
Jesus, Jesus
Oh what a wonderful child
Jesus, Jesus
So lowly meek and mild
New life, new hope, new joy He brings
Won’t you listen to the angels sing
Glory, glory, glory
To the new born King.
I’m sure you will agree all Christmas music is beautiful and meaningful and that we should sing it throughout the year. There is one that my husband’s choirs have always sung year-round. The song was written in the early 1900s by R. Fisher Boyce and Adgar M. Pace – (first verse below).
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shinning far through shadows dimmed
Giving the life for those who long have gone
Guiding the wise men on their way
Unto the place where Jesus lay
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on.
Anne McKee is a Mississippi inspired storyteller.