Advent Calendar: The evolution of Christmas songs

1744: Oh, come, all ye faithful

Oh, come, all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem.

Fun fact: The composer of this song is a mystery… Do you know who it was?

1833: Silent Night

Silent Night, holy night

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.

Did you know: This was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas Parish in the Austrian Empire. It was first performed on guitar. The song was re-written for guitar last minute when the church organ was damaged by floodwaters.

1847: O, holy night

Oh holy night

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error, pining

‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

On Christmas Eve in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian war, a French soldier sang this during an intense battle and caused a ceasefire. Fighting ceased for a day as both sides celebrated Christmas. It was the first song broadcast live on December 21, 1906, played on the violin.

1861: O come, O come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

1865: What child is this?

What child is this?

Who lay to rest

On Mary’s lap is sleeping

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh

Come peasant king to own him

The King of Kings salvation brings

Let loving hearts enthrone him

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste to bring him laud

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

William Chatterton Dix wrote this while having a religious experience. This may sound familiar because it shares the same tune as the traditional English folk song “Greensleeves”.

1885: How great thou art

Then sings my soul, my Saviour GOD to Thee, How great Thou Art, how great Thou Art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour GOD to Thee, How Great Thou Art, how great Thou Art!

This was voted the United Kingdom’s favourite hymn by BBC’s “Songs of Praise”.

1919: Carol of the bells

Hark how the bells

Sweet silver bells

All seem to say

Throw cares away

Christmas is here

Bringing good cheer

To young and old

Meek and the bold

Ding-dong, ding-dong

This was adapted from a 1916 Ukrainian folk song. The original composer intended the music to be sung a cappella. Who else heard this song first in “Home Alone”?

1941: Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me

Pa rum pum pum pum

A newborn king to see

Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring

Pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the king

Pa rum pum pum pum,

Rum pum pum pum,

Rum pum pum pum

1943: I’ll be home for Christmas

I’ll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents by the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

I’ll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have some snow and mistletoe

And presents by the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

 

This was originally written to honour soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time. Bing Crosby’s recording was one of the first songs broadcast to astronauts in December 1965.

It was recorded in 1951 by the Trapp Family Singers who inspired “The Sound of Music”. This song was released more than 220 times in seven languages.

1945: The Christmas Song

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe

Help to make the season bright

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

This song was written during a blistering hot day.

1971: Happy Xmas! (War is over.)

So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

A new one just begun.

The X represents the Greek letter chi, the initial letter in Greek for Jesus Christ.

1984: Mary did you know?

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.

The composer said “these are the questions I would have asked if I were to sit down and have coffee with Mary. “

1990: My grown-up Christmas list

Do you remember me?

I sat upon your knee

I wrote to you

With childhood fantasies

Well, I’m all grown up now

And still need help somehow

I’m not a child

But my heart still can dream

1995: All I want for Christmas is you

I don’t want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

I don’t care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you, yeah

I don’t want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

And I don’t care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I don’t need to hang my stocking

There upon the fireplace

Santa Claus won’t make me happy

With a toy on Christmas Day

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you

You, baby

This is Mariah Carey’s biggest international success and is the 12^th best-selling single of all time.

2004: Believe

Believe in what your heart is saying

Hear the melody that’s playing

There’s no time to waste

There’s so much to celebrate

Believe in what you feel inside

And give your dreams the wings to fly

You have everything you need

If you just believe.

The composer of this song Alan Silvestri also wrote the music for Back to the Future and The Avengers movies. Over 50 songs are title ‘Believe’.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

Which songs can you find these words in?

1. melody
2. triumphant
3. underneath
4. Virgin Mother
5. Son of God
6. walk on water
7. chestnut

Key

1. Believe
2. O, come all ye faithful
3. All I want for Christmas is you
4. Silent Night
5. O come, O come, Emmanuel
6. Mary, did you know?
7. The Christmas Song