The History Of Christmas Carols

These days we'll hear Christmas songs like "I wish it could be Christmas every day" more often that the good-old Christmas carols like "Silent night" or "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". This is a shame as its traditions like these that make Christmas that little bit more special.

Christmas carols first started, we are told, back in the thirteenth century where they were communal songs sung during festivities and celebrations such as Christmas and the harvest.

During the Reformation and the the increase in Protestant Christianity Christmas carols suffered a decline. It wasn't until the 19th century that Christmas carols gained more popularity. During this period carols such as "The First Noel", "I Saw Three Ships", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" were written and included in William B. Sandys' Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833).

Many still find it difficult to differentiate between a Christmas carol and a Christmas song which is sung in church. Some say that a carol is a song that is sung to medieval chord patterns.

Buy Christmas Carols - Books and More

Amazon have a great selection of cheap books about Christmas carols, take a look at what they have. For instance they've got a song book which you can buy second-hand for just £0.92. IF you wanted the book "A Christmas Carol" (I know it's not totally relevant) you can get it for just £0.01.

They've also got a load of Christmas Carol CDs that are worth buying to play in the background.

Now, if you can play the violin or piano, then you can get Christmas Carols Sheet Music from MusicRoom.com.

The First Noel Lyrics

The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

The Holly and the Ivy

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir