Christmas Carols - Meredith Corporation

[Pages:14]Christmas Carols

Angels from the Realm of Glory....................... 2 Angels We Have Heard On High...................... 2 Auld Lang Syne ....................................................... 3 Away in a Manger .................................................. 3 Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella........................ 3 Coventry Carol......................................................... 4 Deck the Halls .......................................................... 4 Go, Tell It on the Mountain................................. 5 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen! ........................ 5 Good King Wenceslas........................................... 6 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing............................ 6 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear ....................... 7 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day................. 7 Jingle Bells................................................................. 8 Jolly Old St. Nicholas............................................. 8 Joy to the World...................................................... 8 O Christmas Tree .................................................... 9 O Come, All Ye Faithful ........................................ 9 O Holy Night...........................................................10 O Little Town of Bethlehem.............................10 Silent Night .............................................................11 The First Noel .........................................................11 The Holly and the Ivy ..........................................12 The Twelve Days of Christmas ........................12 The Wassail Song..................................................13 Up on the Housetop ...........................................14 We Three Kings of Orient Are..........................13 We Wish You a Merry Christmas ....................14 What Child Is This? ...............................................14

Angels from the Realm of Glory

Irishman James Montgomery wrote the words to Angels from the Realms of Glory in 1816. Henry Smart composed the music to this triumphant carol.

Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight o'er all the earth

Ye, who sang creation's story Now proclaim Messiah's birth Come and worship, come and worship Worship Christ the newborn King

Shepherds in the fields abiding Watching o'er your flocks by night

God with man is now residing Yonder shines the Infant light Come and worship, come and worship Worship Christ the newborn King

Saints before the alter bending Watching long in hope and fear Suddenly the Lord, descending,

In His temple shall appear Come and worship, come and worship

Worship Christ the newborn King

Angels We Have Heard On High

French carol, ca. 1862

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains

And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains.

Chorus Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o

Shepherds, why this Jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?

Chorus Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord,

The newborn King

Chorus Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o

See Him in a manger laid Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth!

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Savior's birth.

Chorus Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o

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Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne originated as a Scottish poem and retains the original lyrics. See our translations below. Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung at

midnight on New Year's Eve.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of auld lang syne?

And days of auld lang syne, my dear, And days of auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of auld lang syne?

We twa hae run aboot the braes And pu'd the gowans fine.

We've wandered mony a weary foot, Sin' auld lang syne.

Sin' auld lang syne, my dear, Sin' auld lang syne,

We've wandered mony a weary foot, Sin' auld ang syne.

We twa hae sported i' the burn, From morning sun till dine,

But seas between us braid hae roared Sin' auld lang syne.

Sin' auld lang syne, my dear, Sin' auld lang syne.

But seas between us braid hae roared Sin' auld lang syne.

And ther's a hand, my trusty friend, And gie's a hand o' thine;

We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,

We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

Translation:

auld lang syne ? times gone by twa ? two hae ? have

aboot ? about braes ? hills pu'd ? pulled

gowans ? daisies mony ? many burn ? stream braid ? broad gie's ? give

Away in a Manger

The words to this popular carol were first published anonymously in Philadelphia in 1885. The melody was later added by American composer

James Ramsey Murray in 1887.

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my side, `til morning is nigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me I pray

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to heaven to live with Thee there

Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella

French carol, ca. 1553

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella Bring a torch, come swiftly and run Christ is born, tell the folk of the village

Jesus is sleeping in His cradle Ah, ah, beautiful is the Mother

Ah, ah, beautiful is her Son

Hasten now, good folk of the village Hasten now, the Christ Child to see You will find Him asleep in the manger

Quietly come and whisper softly Hush, hush, peacefully now He slumbers

Hush, hush, peacefully now He sleeps

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Coventry Carol

Englishman Robert Croo wrote the lyrics of the Coventry Carol for the Pageant of the Shearman and Tailors Guild in 1534. The composer of the music is unknown.

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by, lully, lullay.

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child. By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters, too, how may we do, For to preserve this day;

This poor Youngling for whom we sing, By, by, lully, lullay.

Herod the King, in his raging, Charged he hath this day;

His men of might, in his own sight, All children young, to slay.

Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee, And ever mourn and say;

For Thy parting, nor say nor sing, By, by, lully, lullay.

Deck the Halls

Although the background of this song has never been identified, most historians estimate that both the lyrics and melody originate from 16th-century Wales.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

`Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Troll the ancient Yule tide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Strike the harp and join the chorus. Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

While I tell of Yule tide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sing we joyous, all together, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

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Go, Tell It on the Mountain

This popular American carol was created around the turn of the 19th century. Some historians have linked it to a Nashville composer, Frederick J. Work.

While shepherds kept their watching Over silent flocks by night,

Behold throughout the heavens, There shone a holy light:

Chorus Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled When lo! above the earth Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Savior's birth:

Chorus Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born And God send us salvation, That blessed Christmas morn:

Chorus Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen!

This traditional carol probably originated in 16th-century London and is reputed to be one of the oldest. The version we know today arose during the Victorian era, when caroling in groups became popular in England and America.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Savior Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray

Chorus O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel, This blessed Babe was born And laid within a manger

Upon this blessed morn The which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn

Chorus O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface.

Chorus O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

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Good King Wenceslas

The melody to this carol was written in the 16th century. The lyrics, based on a Bohemian legend about Saint Wenceslas, were later added by John M. Neale in the mid-1800s to celebrate the feast of Saint Stephen (the first

Christian martyr) on December 26.

Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen

When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even

Brightly shone the moon that night Though the frost was cruel

When a poor man came in sight Gath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by me If thou know'st it, telling

Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?" "Sire, he lives a good league hence

Underneath the mountain Right against the forest fence

By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine Bring me pine logs hither

Thou and I will see him dine When we bear him thither." Page and monarch forth they went Forth they went together Through the rude wind's wild lament

And the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker now And the wind blows stronger Fails my heart, I know not how,

I can go no longer." "Mark my footsteps, my good page

Tread thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winter's rage

Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod Where the snow lay dinted

Heat was in the very sod Which the Saint had printed Therefore, Christian men, be sure Wealth or rank possessing Ye who now will bless the poor Shall yourselves find blessing

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Charles Wesley, co-founder of the Protestant denomination Methodism, wrote the lyrics to this carol in 1739. The melody, written in 1840 by Felix

Mendelssohn, was added later.

Hark! the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;

Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with men to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

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It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Known as one of the first carols composed by Americans, this song combines an 1849 poem by Massachusetts minister Edmund H. Sears and

an 1850 melody created by Boston musician Richard S. Willis.

It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men From heavens all gracious King!" The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled;

And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world

Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessed angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophets seen of old,

When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace, their King,

And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

After his son was severely wounded in the Civil War, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this poem. It was later joined with an 1872 melody

composed by Englishman John Baptiste Calkin.

I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men!

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Jingle Bells

Boston musician James S. Pierpont wrote the lyrics and melody to this song for a Sunday school class in 1857. One hundred years later, it inspired

one of the best-known Christmas rock songs, "Jingle Bell Rock."

Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh

O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way

Bells on bobtail ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to sing a sleighing song tonight!

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way.

What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

This anonymously written carol was likely composed in the second half of the 19th century. Some historians link it to composer Benjamin R. Hanby,

who created "Up on the Housetop." The songs have similar styles.

Jolly old Saint Nicholas, lean your ear this way Don't you tell a single soul What I'm going to say.

Christmas Eve is coming soon Now you dear old man,

Whisper what you'll bring to me Tell me if you can.

When the clock is striking twelve When I'm fast asleep

Down the chimney broad and black With your pack you'll creep.

All the stockings you will find hanging in a row Mine will be the shortest one You'll be sure to know.

Johnny wants a pair of skates; Susie wants a sled; Nellie wants a picture book

Yellow, blue, and red. Now I think I'll leave to you

What to give the rest. Choose for me, dear Santa Claus

You will know the best.

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Joy to the World

The lyrics to this song come from a 1719 hymn written by Englishman Isaac Watts. The melody has been credited to two composers: German

George Frederick Handel and American Lowell Mason.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

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