Christmas Carols

The word 'carol' comes from the ancient Greek choros, meaning 'dancing in a cirle' and from the old French word 'carole' which means 'a song to accompany dancing'.

Originally the carol was not particularly assoicated with Christmas, and in fact, was not even a religious song. It may well have started as a song and dance performed at festivals - non-religious celebrations like the coming of spring, midsummer, or harvest time. And it is the association with joyful celebration that links this original carol to our modern Christmas carol.

In early medieval times the Church did not encourage the singing of carols, believing that Christmas should be celebrated in a solemn way. Carols, in any case, were linked to festivals that were a bit too close to the old pagan religions. From about 1400 the Church relaxed its attitude a little, and in the fifteenth century there was a great increase in the writing and singing of Christmas carols.

There were two great ages of carol writing, the fifteenth and nineteenth certuries. It is believed the oldest carol is 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel'. The words date from the twelfth century written in Latin, not translated into English until the early nineteenth century.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

The original poem written in 1939 goes like this...

Where most reindeers' noses are brownish and tiny,
Poor Rudolph's was red, very large and quite shiny.

In daylight it dazzled, the picture shows that!
At night-time it glowed, like the eyes of a cat.

And putting dirt on it just made it look muddy,
Oh boy was he mad when they nick-named him 'Ruddy'!

Although he was lonesome, he always was good...
Obeying his parents, as good reindeer should!

That's why on this day, Rudolph almost felt playful-
He hoped that from Santa soon driving his sleighful

Of presents and candy and dollies and toys
For good little animals, good girls and boys.

He'd get just as much...and this is what pleased him...
As the happier, handsomer reindeer who teased him.

So as night, and a fog, hid the world like a hood,
He went to bed hopeful, he knew he'd been good...