Feature by Anne Batty
prime example, and it is these golden tunes of the season’s festivities that often engender the Christmas spirit in our hearts. While we hear, hum, and sing them year
The Songs of Christmas I
n melody and lyric, songwriters tell us a story, arouse our emotions and explore our beliefs. The carols of Christmas are a
after year we hardly ever take time to think about the significance of the words or the ori- gin of these lovely compositions. And if we overlook the fact that someone actually wrote these wonderful melodies we might miss out on much of their meaning. Something interesting to note is that in
their earliest beginnings carols really had noth- ing to do with the Christian celebration of Christmas. Because the songs had such pagan roots, associated with fertility rites and pagan festivities, the church was very uneasy about them for a very long time. But as history notes, it was due to St. Francis of Assisi and his order that the religious folk songs called lauda and the pagan custom called wassailing (door to door songs to drive away evil spirits) were brought together to form the custom of carol- ing (originally meaning to dance to music). As the Christmas season approaches this
year, it might be the right time to enrich our traditions with a little more knowledge about the origins of these all too familiar holiday tunes.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing One of the most prolific songwriters of all
time was the English leader of the Methodist movement Charles Wesley who wrote over 600 songs, this one being his most famous. First ap- pearing in 1739 in his collection Hymns and Sacred Poems it was meant to be recited not sung in services on Christmas day. Eventually regarded as one of the four great Anglican hymns, many theologians agree that the entire Gospel of Christ is contained in this rendition.
The Twelve Days of Christmas This song was actually written as a cate-
chism for young Catholics to learn the basics of their faith. Jesus is represented by the par- tridge in the pear tree, while the two turtle doves symbolize the old and new testaments; the three French hens the virtues faith, hope, love; the four calling birds the four gospels; the five gold rings the first five books of the old tes- tament (the Pentateuch or Torah); the six geese a-laying the six days of creation; the seven swans a-swimming the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; the eight maids a-milking the eight beat- itudes; the nine ladies dancing the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit; the 10 lords a-leaping the Ten Commandments; the 11 pipers piping the 11faithful disciples of Jesus; and the 12 drum- mers drumming are the 12 points of the Apos- tles’ Creed.
Jingle Bells It has been reported but not proven that
one of the first carols most of us learned as chil- dren was written by Congregationalist minis- ter/theologian, James Pierpoint. Composed in
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Boston in the autumn of 1857 as part of a Thanksgiving Sunday school program, it was considered by many to be just a “merry little jingle.” But proving to be a hit among the con- gregation, the children’s choir was asked to sing it every Christmas after that first performance. Originally entitled One Horse Open Sleigh, it is said by the Medford, MA historical society to have been inspired by the town’s very pop- ular sleigh races.
Silent Night The writing of this carol also began with a
simple poem written in 1816 Austria by a young priest named Joseph Mohr. Taking the long way home from Advent services (Latin for coming - the expectant waiting and preparation for Christmas) one evening he paused on a hill- top overlooking his snow-covered village. In that quiet moment reveling in thoughts of Christmas, he was reminded of a poem he had written about the night the angels announced the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds on the hillside. Desiring to use it in his upcoming Christmas Mass he asked his organist friend Franz Gruber to compose a guitar and choir melody to accompany the lyrics for the mid- night services. The two composers had no idea that this song would become the most recorded Christmas song in history.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel One of the oldest Christmas Carols, this
melody contains many prophetic references and is used by many churches during the Ad- vent season. Most likely written by a monk in the Dark Ages before 800 AD (a time in history when it seemed civilization had broken down and mankind was sliding into chaos, ignorance, pestilence and unending warfare) it contained seven verses chanted one at a time on the seven days leading up to Christmas. Its lyrics give a brief summary of the prophecies surrounding the birth of Christ, Emmanuel. It has been re- ferred to by some as a Latin chant rather than a Christmas Carol.
Silver Bells The award winning song writing team of
the ’40s/’50s Jay Livingston and Ray Evans were called upon to write the lyrics for the mu- sical comedy The Lemon Drop Kid starring Bob Hope. Realizing the movie’s setting called for a different kind of Christmas song, while contemplating its direction one of the song- writers picked up and shook a small bell sitting on their work desk. Inspiration hit and they had a song that not only represented the holi- day streets of America, it became an instant hit. The original title was actually Tinkle Bell, but at the insistence of its inappropriateness by their wives, the title was later changed to Silver Bells.
O Holy Night Purportedly written on a stagecoach to
Paris in 1847 by an anti-cleric, atheist, French- man/poet, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, this hymn, Cantique de Noel, was once
deemed inappropriate and unwelcome in church services. Its text reflects on the birth of Jesus and tells of humanity’s redemption. While banned by the clergy the people of France loved it, and continuing to sing it in their homes they saved it from obscurity. Even- tually rediscovered by the Unitarian minister, John Sullivan Dwight, it was translated into English and before long the carol reached the USA becoming instantly accepted.
Away in a Manger There is much controversy surrounding
this song and the true author will most likely never be known. What is known is that it was probably written by an American in the mid- 1800s. Although it was popular to tout it as Martin Luther’s cradle hymn and to tell tales of German mothers singing the tune to their sleepy babies, the Germans never heard of this tune until it reached Europe after gaining fame in America.
The First Noel Most likely written in the 13th century by
a commoner, researchers believe this composi- tion was scribed when there were very few Bibles in circulation and most of those were in the hands of the upper classes. This would ex- plain some of the incorrect scriptural references and why the language is not finely tuned. Prob- ably passed on by peasants and sung in house- holds for hundreds of years before publication,
it was eventually allowed in the Church of Eng- land, soon becoming a worldwide favorite.
Joy to the World In 1719, most songs sung in European
Church services were from the Old Testament Psalms, this one being derived from Psalm 98. At age 15, hymn writer/theologian Isaac Watts loved the Bible and was appalled at the atro- cious worship in his church, so he transformed this old Jewish Psalm of praise into a poem of rejoicing for the salvation of God. The melody is from George Frederick Handel and some scholars say it resembles his greatest work, the Messiah.
The Little Drummer Boy Based on an old Czech carol, this song was
written and published by pianist/composer Katherine K. Davis in 1941and first recorded by the Austrian Trapp Family Singers in 1953. It is a tune that has managed to charm its way into hearts worldwide, and although very sa- cred in character it has been a recording favorite of numerous pop singers around the world. Most of the carols we sing at Christmas
began with poetry that was eventually set to music. In these tales there is much to be learned. Perhaps the knowledge of these few will spark interest in the many, and in so doing add a new dimension to the holiday celebra- tions we all love so well.
Singing in the Holidays by Donia Moore
San Clemente Interfaith Choir performs The Messiah - free Dec. 12&13. Doors open at 7pm Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 310 Ave. Vista Montana (949)366-9544 for information This 60 member choir is made up of
people from various congregations through- out Orange County, mostly San Clemente. This is their third year as the Interfaith Choir. Megan Peo has been the music direc- tor and conductor for all three years. “This year, we will have an orchestra for
Messiah. The program will consist of choir numbers and assorted solos for a running time of one hour and ten minutes. All the musicians are volunteer (choir and orches- tra) and most have participated in the group each year. The closing song will be the hal- lelujah chorus and the audience will be in- vited to sing along (as is tradition).”
Annual Chanukah Celebration on the Pier - free December 6 at 4:30pm Historic San Clemente Pier (949)489-0725 for more information Join the Chabbad of San Clemente as
members and the public light the10 ft. high Mennorah on the historic San Clemente Pier. Sample traditional refreshments like latkes and doughnuts, play traditional drey- dle games, and enjoy traditional music and
dancing as the community celebrates the an- cient Chanukah miracle of the lamps.
San Clemente Presbyterian Church Holiday Concert December 6. Two performances at 3pm and 6pm 119 North
Ave.De La.Estrella (949)492-6158 for more information This traditional Christmas program has
been held for many years. Highlighting the program is the San Clemente Church Choir singing the traditional beloved carols. SCPC was started in the 1920s by a group of peo- ple who drove all the way from Long Beach to San Clemente every Sunday.
Christmas at the Casa with the South County Community Handbell Ringers - free December 5 • 5pm to 7pm 415 Ave. Granada 949-498-2139 for more information The City of San Clemente and Casa Ro-
mantica form an awesome partnership to celebrate the Annual Holiday Open House. The beautifully restored historic Casa, built by San Clemente founder Ole Hanson as his home in 1927, features a festively decorated Casa Romantica, live music, choral groups, Santa, a talking tree, kid’s crafts, décor and refreshments. The clear, crystal tones of the South County Community Handbell Ringers are the featured entertainment.
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