Have you ever wondered about the origins of some of your favorite Christmas carols? Neither have I. But I thought I’d look into it anyway so that you don’t have to. Maybe it’ll be interesting and if not, what the heck, nobody’ll have gotten hurt — presumably.
There’s one helluva lot of Christmas carols out there and I’ve only got so much time (been helping out at the North Pole) so I’ve selected an even dozen to examine. My criteria for selection was that either I like the song, I thought the song would have an interesting background or it just popped into my head. Sorry if I left a favorite of yours out. I didn’t include Jingle Bells because — and this is an excellent reason — I didn’t wanna.
Here’s the delightful dozen. I've linked each to a YouTube video of it.
12 Days of Christmas. It’s origins go back to somewhere between the 16th and 18th centuries which, when you think about it, is a pretty broad range. It was first published in 1780 which is wonderfully specific in comparison. The most reasonable speculation about the song is that it started out as a memory game where folks had to memorize the verses and get them all correctly which by the twelfth run though ain’t so easy. The twelve days begin on December 25th and end on what is not at all surprisingly called the twelfth night. Very few people do the whole twelve days thing but people often keep their trees up that long. The song has been driving people nuts for centuries but has delighted at least as many.
Silent Night. It was originally in German under the title “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht” and was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics by Joseph Mohr. Both chaps were Austrians which is where the song originates. Silent Night was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011 — whatever the hell that means. It was first recorded in 1905. Silent Night is for the mellow part of the evening and I’m sure is favored by Christians as it actually references the birth of Jesus.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. According to one account I read — apparently offered with a straight face — Rudolph is a “fictional reindeer.” And here we had thought that there had been — or was — a real reindeer with a bright red nose. Live and learn. The story, written by one Robert L. May, first appeared in a booklet in 1939. It was another ten years until the story was fashioned into a song by Johnny Marks. Gene Autry recorded it in time for the 1949 Christmas season. As you’re no doubt aware it’s been a seasonal staple ever since. If it were written today there’d be a whole bit about how, after being called names and banned from the reindeer games, Rudolph filed suit or at least registered an official complaint with Mr. Claus.
Jingle Bell Rock is a relative newcomer on the scene having first appeared on the airwaves in 1957. Sadly there is controversy over authorship of the song. Four people you’ve never heard of claim it and I’m not going to bother you with their names here. I will say that a chap named Bobby Helms was the original vocalist though the most popular version was recorded by Brenda Lee in 1964. In the last seven years it has consistently been ranked among the top three or four Christmas songs the Billboard Hot 100.
Joy to the World was written in 1719 by the English minister and hymnist Isaac Watts. I was unfamiliar with the word hymnist but it should come as no surprise that it is the term for people who write hymns. Joy is usually sung to an 1848 arrangement by the American composer Lowell Mason of a tune attributed to George Frideric Handel. The hymn's lyrics are a Christian interpretation of Psalm 98 and Genesis 3. So yeah, it’s super religious and widely considered the most published holiday hymn of all time. It is likely second in the all hymns category to Amazing Grace.
The Christmas Song. A lot of people know that the great crooner Mel Tormé penned this lovely ballad along with someone named Robert Wells in 1945. It was recorded the following year. Nat King Cole’s version is far and away the most popular though Tormé himself did a very nice version. It was written in the midst of a Summer heatwave with the song writers somehow believing it would help them beat the heat. It is supposedly the most played carol of all time. Legend has it it took forty minutes to write the song.
Good King Wenceslas. Despite it’s religious overtones I’ve always liked the song. It’s like a jaunty hymn, if that makes sense. It’s among the oldest of Christmas Carols. It’s been around in its current form since 1853 but it’s origins go back to the 13th century. It’s about a tenth century (before my time) Duke of Bohemia known for doing good deeds on behalf of the poor (how very unTrumpy!). It was only in song that he was made a king. Wenceslas was a martyr and saint though many of his deeds were published posthumously and their veracity is doubted. Anyway he inspired an interesting if not easily understood carol.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town has been a staple since 1934. It was written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie and no I didn’t make up either of those names. Eddie Cantor’s cover to the song (first perfumed by a big band) in November 0f ’34 transformed it into a permanent hint. It was been recorded by over 200 artists ranging from the Andrews Sister to Bruce Springsteen to Boxcar Willie to Dolly Parton to Fred Astaire to the Jackson Five. It’s a wonderful evocation of so much that represents the Christmas season and has become firmly embedded in American Christmas culture. The whole making a list and checking and twice and finding out who’s been naughty and nice business is integral to a child’s Christmas fixation.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Another ubiquitous carol, it debuted in 1963 having been written by two blokes named Edward Pola and George Wylie. It was recorded by Andy Williams and it is his original version that is the most widely-played. Williams was a big deal back in those days. He had his own variety show that featured lavish Christmas specials. The song has consistently been among the top Christmas songs of the year for over sixty years now. It’s the Most Wonderful is nothing less than a celebration of the Christmas season that speaks to everyone who loves the holiday. I’ve always loved it myself but have a quibble with one part of the song, namely: “There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.” Scary ghost stories at Christmas? That’s Halloween. Yes there is the story of the Scrooge and the visitation by Jacob Marley and the three ghosts but the intent of the story is not to scare anybody. Also what “tales of the glory” of Christmases past? Is that really a staple this time of year? Anyway I still like the song.
Winter Wonderland. This is a second song on our list that debuted in 1934 which, despite the ongoing Depression, was evidently a good year for carols. This is a traditional Christmas song that makes absolutely no reference to the holiday (like Frosty the Snowman, Baby It’s Cold Outside and Jingle Bells). The story goes that lyricist Richard Bernhard Smith was inspired to write the song by having observed snow-covered Central Park in New York although he wrote it while in a sanatorium in Scranton, PA where he was being treated for tuberculosis. It was big band leader Guy Lombardo who first made a hit of it. This is another song that has been performed by major singers from A to Zed. (Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Ringo Starr and Chloe to name but a few.)
Here Comes Santa Claus. I’ve long been curious about this little ditty as it represents the only reference I know of to a “Santa Claus Lane.” I’ve always wondered where this damn lane is. The North Pole seems logical but Gene Autry wrote it and he was referring to Santa Claus Lane Parade which is now called the Hollywood Christmas Parade. He rode in said parade in 1946 which is when the idea for the song was born. The initial release was one year later. It’s never been one of the more popular carols but I’ve always liked it though not to the extent that I’m Gene Autry fan. Like all these damn songs everyone and their Aunt Sadie has released a version. But I found it strange that of all people one Bob Dylan covered it 2009. His vocalization — in my humble opinion — leaves a lot to be desired but good for him for giving it a go.
Deck the Halls. This is my favorite Christmas Carol. It’s a great tune with easy to remember lyrics and is fun to sing. Of course the “gay apparel” line has been fodder for punsters for many decades but that’s all in good fun. The melody is Welsh and dates back to the 16th century, lyrics were added by the Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant, in 1862. A slightly altered version of the song replaced the original in 1877 and more resembles the song we enjoy with such gusto today.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
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