We’ve got eleven days left until break! Today, we’re exploring the history of favorite Christmas songs across the US.
1. “Jingle Bells”
“Jingle Bells” may be one of the most well known Christmas songs, but did you know it was originally a Thanksgiving song? In fact, the first performance of “Jingle Bells” took place at a Thanksgiving church service. However, the original title of the song was “One Horse Open Sleigh”. “Jingle Bells was also the first song to be broadcast from outer space!
2. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Dating back to the 1500s, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” has been around for a long time. However, through the years, it has changed a lot. In fact, the first printed version, which was published in 1760, was titled, “Tidings of Comfort and Joy.”
3. “All I Want for Christmas is You”
“All I Want for Christmas is You” is another extremely popular Christmas classic. The song was released by Mariah Carey as part of a Christmas album in 1994. Many people find this song annoying, but others enjoy it throughout the Christmas season.
4. “Carol of the Bells”
“Carol of the Bells” is a Christmas song originating from “Shchedryk”, a Ukrainian song about winter, written in 1916. In 1936, Peter Wilhousky heard a performance of “Shchedryk”. The song reminded him of bells. He wrote a new version of the song, this time, a Christmas song in English. Since then, “Carol of the Bells” has become an amazing Christmas classic.
5. “Silent Night”
In the early 1800s, Joseph Mohr composed “Stille Nacht”, known today as “Silent Night”. He wrote it as a song that could be performed without an organ, for a church with a broken organ. It was performed at the church’s Christmas Eve service. Today, it is one of the most well known Christmas carols.
6. “O Holy Night”
Surprisingly, “O Holy Night” was actually written by a poet at the request of a priest. The inspiration behind the original poem was the birth of Jesus Christ. The poet later asked his friend, a musician, to help him turn his poem into a song. Several weeks later, the song was performed at a midnight mass.
7. “Feliz Navidad”
“Feliz Navidad” was written over fifty years ago, but remains a popular Christmas song to this day. “Feliz Navidad” is a unique Christmas song, featuring both Spanish and English. The song was written by Jose Feliciano. Over the years, “Feliz Navidad” has appeared in many movies and TV shows, including The Grinch.
8. “Last Christmas”
“Last Christmas” was first performed by WHAM in 1984. However, today the Taylor Swift version of the song is much more well known. Over the years “Last Christmas” has become a popular Christmas favorite.
9. “Mary, Did You Know?”
Mark Lowry wrote the lyrics for “Mary Did You Know?” in 1984. In 1991, he gave the lyrics to his friend, Buddy Greene to help make an accompaniment to the song. Buddy Greene felt that the song was calling for a minor key approach to accompaniment. Today, “Mary Did You Know?” is a classic Christmas song, enjoyed by many.
10. “What Child is This?”
“What Child is This?” was written in 1865. William Chatterton Dix composed the lyrics. William Chatterton Dix enjoyed English folk songs. While writing the lyrics to this song, he decided to use the folk tune, “Greensleeves” to create the song. Among his other compositions, “What Child is This?” remains his most successful song.
11. “The Little Drummer Boy”
In 1941, during the second world war, Katherine Kennicott Davis wrote this song. The original title of the song was “Carol of the Drum.” “The Little Drummer Boy” was inspired by an old French tune, “Patapan.” To this day, “The Little Drummer Boy” remains a very well known Christmas song.
Whatever your favorite Christmas songs are, I hope you find some time this holiday season to enjoy all of your favorite Christmas songs!
Works Cited:
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“History of Hymns: “Silent Night, Holy Night.”” Discipleship Ministries, www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history- of-hymns-silent-night-holy-night.
Lewis, Susan. “The Story behind the Beloved Christmas Carol “Silent Night.”” WRTI, 19 Dec. 2020, www.wrti.org/arts- desk/2020-12-19/the-story-behind-the-beloved-christmas-carol-silent-night.
Schnedler, Lisa. “The Story behind “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”” Branch Living, 20 Dec. 2021, www.branchliving.com/new-blog/2021/12/12/the-story-behind-god-rest-ye-merry-gentlemen.
FaithPot. “Inspirational Christian Stories and Positive News.” Inspirational Christian Stories and Positive News, FaithPot, 3 Dec. 2023, www.faithpot.com/pentatonix-god-rest-ye-merry-gentlemen/.
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Klein, Christopher. “8 Things You May Not Know about “Jingle Bells.”” HISTORY, 16 Dec. 2016, www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-jingle-bells.
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“What Are the Lyrics to “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, and What Is the Christmas Carol Really About?” Classic FM, www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/lyrics-o-come-o-come-emmanuel-origins/.
“History of Hymns: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”” Discipleship Ministries, www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-o-come-o-come-emmanuel.
Gabhart, Ann. “The Story behind the Song O Holy Night.” Ann H. Gabhart, 16 Dec. 2019, www.annhgabhart.com/2019/12/16/the-story-behind-the-song-o-holy-night/.
Runnells, Charles. “50 Years of “Feliz Navidad”: Fun Facts about José Feliciano’s Holiday Hit, Livestream Concert.” The News-Press, www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2020/12/17/feliz-navidad-jose- feliciano-celebrates-50th-anniversary-christmas-music-livestream-concert/3811385001/.
Terry, Lindsay. “Story behind the Song: “Mary, Did You Know?”” St. Augustine Record, www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2016/12/09/story-behind-song-mary-did-you- know/16292732007/.
“Story behind “What Child Is This?” Christmas Carol.” Galaxy Music Notes, galaxymusicnotes.com/pages/story- behind-the-christmas-carol-what-child-is-this.
