Through the centuries came thousands of carols, hymns, and ballads to express the meaning of Christmas. What came first the carols or hymns? Well, this can be debated depending on how far back you go. However, it is said that Christmas hymns can be traced back to the fourth century when the Nicene Creed was defined. It is hard to believe that the carol titled, “The Holly and the Ivy” can also be trace back to the fourth century in Rome. However, carols are said to go back to the medieval time period since they use medieval chord patterns. Hymns on the other hand were associated to the book of Psalms, which was written around 1400 B.C. to 400 B.C. Hymns are poems put to an arrangement of chords. As you will note that a moment in time, places songs during a specific period in time. Carols may be derived from pagan songs that may not take on a religious theme. Hymns are worship songs directed towards God, but Christmas carols are songs sung during the winter season.
Christmas Classic song list may vary somewhat depending upon the artist who performed the song. Artist like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Andy Williams, Burl Ives, and Tennesse Ernie Ford are among this category.
What about the song titled “The Christmas Song”? Well, it is listed as one of the top classic Christmas songs. Do you remember the 1989 “The Simpsons” first Christmas episode where the slogan “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”? Well, that was poking fun at this wonderful carol.
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa’s on his way
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother’s child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
So I’m offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it’s been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you
So I’m offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it’s been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you
Songwriters: Robert Wells, Melvin H. Mel Torme.
Just look at the third line of this carol. One might say it is defining the season of carols. I love the fact that this carol is addressing those from kids to seniors. No matter the age of a person, all can have the Christmas spirit living within their heart. This nostalgic warm song emits a ray of light in a positive uplifting character that we can see through the eye of a child.
Mel Torme was roasting in the heat in Teluca Lake, California when he wrote the beginning lines of this song. He thought writing a song about winter would help him cool down. This song was written in 1945 and soon reached the top Billboard charts. Nat King Cole came out with two versions of the song with orchestral backing. I came across this fun animated video of the song that I just loved and had to share it. I hope you enjoy watching it and Merry Christmas to all of you.
I love the animated version of the Christmas Song!