Christmas Carols Music – Three All Time Favorite Songs

Christmas carols are known as joyful religious songs celebrating the birth of Christ. The Christmas carol music is a song of joy or praise based on the theme of Christmas and the birth of Christ. A song of praise or joy, carols have traditionally been sung in the period before and during Christmas. The tradition of Christmas carols goes back as far as the thirteenth century. This article features information about three favorite Christmas carols including their countries of origin, their authors, and current recordings. When you read through to the end of this article, you will discover how to get information on other Classic Christian Christmas songs.

Silent Night

Known to be the most popular Christmas carol of all time, truly a song of praise for a joyous season is “Silent Night, Holy Night”. This carol is most known for the lyrics being written by Joseph Mohr as a young priest in 1816 while living in Mariapfarr, Austria. Two years later in 1818, Franz Gruber composed the melody and the two performed the song at Midnight Mass Christmas Eve. Over 300 artists recordings have been performed of “Silent Night, Holy Night” including the popular recording sung in Irish by Enya, the Italian version recorded by tenor Andrea Bocelli, and the instrumental version by the Mannheim Steamroller. Other recording artists include Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Bing Crosby, and Elvis Presley.

Joy To The World

Another favorite and beloved traditional carol that people sing at Christmas is the song “Joy To The World”. As of the late 20th century, this carol is most known for being the most-published Christmas hymn in North America. It was written by English man Isaac Watts and was first published in 1719. Based on Psalm 98, Watts wrote the lyrics and Lowell Mason wrote the melody in 1839. Musical artists have recorded this many times, including The Supremes in 1965 for the “Merry Christmas” album. Other artists include Andy Williams on his 1974 “Christmas Present” album, Mariah Carey on her 1994 “Merry Christmas”, and in 1996 Whitney Houston for the movie The Preacher’s Wife:Original Soundtrack Album.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

This third carol lyrics truly reflect the theme of Christmas. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is known for first appearing in “Hymns and Sacred Poems” in 1739 and for being known as one of the Great Four Anglican Hymns in 1872 edition of “The Church Hymn Book”. The lyrics were written by English Methodist movement leader Charles Wesley with his brother John Wesley writing the melody. Throughout the years, music entertainers across several musical genres have shared their recordings of this song including Andy Williams, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Johnny Cash. Other recording artists include Amy Grant, Mahalia Jackson, Mariah Carey, Jewel, and Carrie Underwood.