Published by: Christine Mae Karunungan
Date published: December 18, 2024
Time published: 3:00 PM
Many children find joy in Christmas carols as they enhance the spirit of celebrating Jesus' birth. We often start playing Christmas carols as soon as the ber months begin. But what if I told you there's more to it than just a tune?
Before that, what’s your Spotify Wrapped? People love music so much that Spotify Wrapped is eagerly anticipated by many. Why? It's because listening to music evokes a range of emotions in us. We often explore the themes within the songs. Similarly, Christmas carols transport us to a joyful time filled with warmth and a delightful atmosphere. Yet, beneath their enchanting melodies, each song holds surprising and intriguing stories and facts. The familiar tunes lead us to unexpected narratives.
From different periods and trends, Christmas carols evolve yearly. At first, many people don’t like it and don’t understand its essence. Carols, which originally referred to a dance or a song, were not exclusively for Christmas. The earliest Christmas carol was composed and performed in Latin, making it challenging for many to comprehend and less widely enjoyed. Nevertheless, in 1223, St. Francis of Assisi initiated his Nativity plays in Italy, incorporating songs and hymns sung in the vernacular, which facilitated the spread of new carols throughout Europe. The phrase, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests," is drawn from Luke 2:14 [1].
However, Christmas carols and Christmas songs are connected yet not identical in depth. That’s one thing many people sorely miss. They possess unique differences in how they express the song's narrative or central theme. However, much of the Christmas music and lyrics share similar themes, yet they were not intended to be classified together. Christmas carols are known for catchy melodies and simple lyrics and focus more on biblical and religious as well. And last, Christmas songs, this one has a broad category that is sung with diverse styles and themes such as “All I Want for Christmas is You”.
For centuries, it became a tradition to play festive songs that relate to one holiday season. With Christmas carols, many artists and singers view this as an opportunity to create iconic music and to go along with the spirit of Christmas using their talent in music. They conform to this for several reasons, some personal and some to help others. Knowing that Christmas is a time of religious significance, creating carols is their way of expressing their faith for what in their religion they believe. Some use this opportunity to fundraise for charitable causes or to give back to their fans and communities during this season.
But how important is it to understand the facts and stories behind the music we enjoy during this year? Well, Carol serves as an outlet for one’s emotion, one’s creativity, and most definitely, one’s story. By taking an interest in this knowledge, we are creating a deeper connection to the music. It tends to expand the musical horizon, allowing us to discover new artists and related tracks. Not only that, it pushes and encourages us to be active listeners and cultivates critical thinking skills.
Knowing the backstory, it enables us to analyze the lyrics to infer the song's message. With that in mind, let’s explore the behind tales and facts of a few of the most popular carols throughout the years.
JINGLE BELLS
This is often the very first Christmas song you learned to sing in school. During Christmas, “Jingle Bells” is a tune you can always expect to hear. It is universally recognized because of its cheerful classic melodies.
“Jingle Bells” was composed by a man named James Lord Pierpont in 1857 — although not exactly in the version that we all recognize and cherish today. Initially, it was released as “The One-Horse Open Sleigh,” featuring slightly altered lyrics and a notably different melody for the chorus. Moreover, the initial version didn't become an immediate success… and it wasn't related to Christmas in any way [2]. Klein states that the song was originally performed at a Thanksgiving church service and was never meant to be a Christmas classic [3]. If you pay close attention to the lyrics, you'll realize that there is no reference to Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any holiday at all.
It was evident that there was no desire for the song to be linked to Christmas. It was released in late summer or early fall as well. But since the song contains catchy melodies and festive imagery that made it synonymous with Christmas celebration.
Additionally, in 1965, “Jingle Bells” became the first song ever broadcast from space when the Gemini 6 astronauts decided to play a prank on Mission Control by executing the melody with a harmonica and actual jingle bells they had secretly taken on board [4].
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
A Christmas tune that is popular on another level that shows no sign of fading. Why? It is due to its extremely traditional Christmas song that informs children they ought to behave or Santa Claus will not provide them with their present.
The song's lyrics were written by prolific songwriter Haven Gillespie, while the music was composed by John Frederick Coots. When Coots received the lyrics from Gillespie in 1934, he needed only ten minutes to come up with the main melody. Following that, Coots presented the song to his publisher, Leo Feist Inc., who appreciated it but dismissed it as "a kids' song" and didn't anticipate much success [5].
However, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" has faced criticism for its focus on Santa's monitoring behavior and depiction of him as a gift-giver for good deeds. Critics argue that this promotes materialism and reinforces socioeconomic disparities [6]. Despite these criticisms, the song remains a beloved part of the holiday season, showcasing the power of music to inspire emotions, build relationships, and maintain customs over time. Its lasting appeal serves as a testament to the power of music in preserving cultural traditions.
Over the years, a number of artists have covered the song, including Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. It has also appeared in numerous Christmas TV shows and films [7]. It was so well-liked that it never moved the Christmas spotlight.
JOY TO THE WORLD
Christmas is among the happiest days of the year, and this carol truly spreads joy as the title suggests. It is often referred to as an unintentional Christmas song similar to “Jingle Bells,” as it was unrelated to Christmas. It wasn't originally intended to be a song.
Isaac Watts, the "father of English hymns," penned over 750 hymns. Born in 1674, Watts was raised in a religious family and had a remarkable ability to rhyme. He became a pastor and served a large independent church in London. Watts introduced religious poetry into his songs, giving new life to church worship. His songs, like "Joy to the World," focus on the future return of Jesus, not the birth of Jesus [8]. Watts' physical appearance and love for poetry have influenced his work.
Joy to the World has been around for almost 350 years. This masterpiece was crafted for God's honor and has stood the test of time. Throughout many generations, it has been sung, loved, and appreciated.
We can sing "Joy to the World" during Christmas despite its unrelated to the Christmas story. Why? Clearly, it is a song regarding the second arrival of Christ, when his splendor will be completely revealed. The primary message of this song is the fulfillment of the initial goal for which Christ arrived. Christmas is not only a moment to think about past accomplishments. Christmas is also a moment to contemplate the grace that has been granted for our future. We are declaring the greatest joy to be unveiled when we articulate these words.
Christmas carols bring joy and emotion, evolving from Latin roots to modern vernacular since their inception in 1223. While both carols and songs share themes, they tell different stories. Artists often perform these timeless pieces for personal, religious, or charitable purposes. Delving into the stories behind the music enriches our connection to the holiday and enhances our understanding. Classics like "Jingle Bells," which even soared into space in 1965, and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which encourages good behavior, illustrate the diverse narratives. Additionally, "Joy to the World," not originally intended as a Christmas song, speaks of Jesus' return.
As Christmas is knocking on our doors, Christmas carols make it more exciting for everyone. These are not just lovely melodies, but they give us hope, love, and faith is strengthened. Carols shift us to the feeling of finding the true meaning and essence of Christmas. It also lets us remember that music can evoke cherished memories and stand as a cultural touchstone. So, let’s unite this Christmas season to honor some timeless and classic carols to continue to enchant and connect by embracing the spirit of Christmas. In the heart of the Christmas season, celebrating this with the power of carols awakens the little girl and boy within us. May we all continue to embrace Christmas carols and their true meaning with love, kindness, and joy. Merry Christmas everyone!
REFERENCES:
[1] Museum of the Bible. (2022, December 1). Christmas Carols: Stories of your favorite Christmas classics. https://www.museumofthebible.org/magazine/featured/christmas-carols-stories-of-your-favorite-classics
[2] Talya. (2023, December 18). The surprising history of “Jingle Bells.” MyHeritage Blog. https://blog.myheritage.com/2020/12/the-surprising-history-of-jingle-bells/
[3] Cnn, B. M. G. (2019, December 19). What you probably didn't know about 'Jingle Bells' CNN. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/12/19/us/jingle-bells-history-trnd
[4] Hammel, J. M. (2023, June 13). The Lesser-Known History of “Jingle Bells” - Classical KUSC. Classical KUSC. https://www.kusc.org/articles/the-history-of-jingle-bells
[5] Eames, T. (2022, December 6). The Story of. . . “Santa Claus is Comin” to Town’. Smooth. https://www.smoothradio.com/news/christmas/santa-claus-is-comin-to-town-song-lyrics-facts/
[6] Goldman, C. (2024, January 27). Unwrapping the history behind “Santa Claus is coming to town” Northern Lights Gazette. https://northernlightsgazette.com/in-the-news/unwrapping-the-history-behind-santa-claus-is-coming-to-town/amp/
[7] Lyrics, C. C. (n.d.). Santa Claus is Coming to Town Lyrics - Christmas Carols. https://www.41051.com/xmaslyrics/santatown.html
[8] Schnedler, L. (2021, December 24). The story behind “Joy to the World!” https://www.branchliving.com/new-blog/2021/12/12/the-story-behind-joy-to-the-world?format=amp
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