When you think of Christmas, what comes to mind? Spending time with your family? Watching Christmas movies? Putting up the tree? Listening to Christmas music?
For those of you who enjoy Christmas music, here’s a look into the history of five of the most popular Christmas songs.
Silent Night
“Silent Night”, originally “Stille Nacht”, is one of the most widely known Christmas songs. The six original stanzas of “Silent Night” were written by Joseph Mohr in the early 1800s. It is said that on Christmas Eve, a church in Obendorf, Austria had a broken organ. They needed a Christmas song they could perform without an organ. Mohr decided to write one, and today, it’s become a well-known Christmas carol around the world.
Jingle Bells
“Jingle Bells” is one of the most classic Christmas songs, but did you know that it was originally written for Thanksgiving? The first “Jingle Bells” performance was at a Thanksgiving church service. Written by James Lord Peirpoint, sometime in the mid-1800s, the original title of the song was, “One Horse Open Sleigh”. “Jingle Bells” was also the first song ever to be broadcast from outer space.
Carol of the Bells
Carol of the Bells is based on the Ukrainian song “Shchedryk” by Mykola Leontovich composed in 1916. “Shchedryk” is based on the Ukrainian word; shchedryj which means bountiful. “Shchedryk” was not originally a Christmas song, but a song to wish you a good winter. In 1936, Peter Wilhousky heard a performance of “Shchedryk”. The song reminded him of bells. He was inspired to write his English version of the song, conveying the imagery of bells the song gave him. Because of Wilhousky’s new lyrics of the song, including mentions of silver bells, and the line, “merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas”, since then, Carol of the Bells has become a song associated with Christmas.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The song, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” dates back to the 1500s. However, the first printed version is from 1760, in which it was referred to as “Tidings of Comfort and Joy”. Although it has endured many changes over the years, the message of the song has not changed. In 2016, Pentatonix, an acapella singing group, arranged their version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, which quickly became a favorite of millions.
All I Want for Christmas is You
In 1994, Mariah Carey released a Christmas album, including the very well-known song, “All I Want for Christmas is You”. It’s a very simple song, musically, and it is said that this song took only fifteen minutes to compose. By 2017, the song had made 17 million dollars. Even though some consider this song annoying, “All I Want for Christmas is You” has become a Christmas staple for millions.
Whether you’re a “Silent Night” or “All I Want for Christmas is You” type of person, I hope this Christmas, you take a few moments to enjoy your favorite Christmas songs. Merry Christmas!
Sources:
https://news.rice.edu/news/2004/carol-bells-wasnt-originally-christmas-song
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-silent-night-holy-night
https://www.wrti.org/arts-desk/2020-12-19/the-story-behind-the-beloved-christmas-carol-silent-night
https://www.branchliving.com/new-blog/2021/12/12/the-story-behind-god-rest-ye-merry-gentlemen
https://www.faithpot.com/pentatonix-god-rest-ye-merry-gentlemen/
https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-jingle-bells
https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/lyrics-o-come-o-come-emmanuel-origins/
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-o-come-o-come-emmanuel
