An Around the world Carillon concert for Christmas
"Zezulka z lesa vylitla" Traditional Carol, Czech
Known in English as "The Birds" and "From out of the Forest a Cuckoo Flew" it includes adoration by a cuckoo and a dove with imitations of their cries. While there are many Christmas songs about birds rejoicing at Christmastime, it is interesting that the biblical account of the Nativity makes no mention of fowls at all.
"Fum Fum Fum" Catalonian Carol, Spanish
Probably one of the most popular carols in Spain. “Fum Fum Fum” supposedly means beating of a drum or strumming a guitar. Essentially calls for Joy on Christmas Day!
"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" American
No need to go very far "Around the World" for this. The words were written in 1849 by a Massachusetts clergyman and the music came from an organ interlude written by a New York musician who studied in Germany with Mendelssohn and later became a critic for the New York Tribune. When the words got to England, they ended up applied to a melody by Arthur Sullivan. Both melodies are in our hymnal and both are played here.
"Nesem vam Noviny" Come Hear the Wonderful Tidings, Bohemian
Dates from around 1879 from Bohemia which lies between Germany & the Czech Republic. It is also sung to German lyrics written especially for the tune.
"Lulajze Jezumiu" Polish Lullaby, Poland
From medieval times. It intrigued Chopin enough that he embedded it into his Scherzo in B Minor.
"Quelle est cette odeur agreable?" French
Based on the annunciation of the Shepherds in Luke 2. While Luke's Nativity says nothing about perfume, it is believed that this carol is based on a legend that every tree in the world bloomed and gave off scents to welcome the Christ Child. The music dating from the 1700s has often been used as a drinking song, most notably in Gay's The Beggar's Opera!!
"Un flambeau, Jeannette Isabelle" French, Provence
The melody dates from the 14th century, words from 17th century.
"Von Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her" German
Said to be the only Christmas carol written by Martin Luther for a family ceremony on Christmas Eve 1534. Originally 15 verses. Harmonized eventually by Bach.
“What Sweeter Music” Rutter, British
This, of course, is a very modern carol unlike the ancient ones surrounding it. Composer John Rutter is 68 and insists he did not mind when this carol was used in a Volvo commercial but so many of his carols are so widely loved, it made sense not to ignore him. It is really an anthem for SATB adapted by David Osburn for the carillon.
"What Child Is This" British
The words we know were written by William Dix who is known for several other excellent hymns but the music, the tune Greensleeves, has a murkier origin. Indeed, it seems to have been titled at first "A Newe Northern Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleeves" to be played and sung along with a lute and it had a somewhat bawdy connotation. It spent many a year as a song of troubadours until transformed by Mr. Dix.
"While By my Sheep" Echo Carol, German
Dates from about 1500. Probably sung by choir sections placed in different places in the church.
"Bon Voyage M. Dumolet" French
This French folk song had nothing to do with Christmas until the choreographer for Tchaikowsky (Marius Petipa) insisted that it be used in the grand opening party scene of the Nutcracker ballet. Thereafter, combined with the enormous growing tree, it takes on a decidedly Christmassy flavor!
"God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" 18th Century, London
Yes, it is a merry, cheerful song despite being written in minor and despite being described by Dickens as the cue for Scrooge to grasp a ruler and nearly destroy the poor caroler who tried to sing it to him!
"Twas In the Moon of Wintertime" for the Huron Indians, Canada (sort of)
Often called The Huron Carol, the tune is French. The words from mid 17th century by a Jesuit missionary ministering to the Huron Indians in Canada who said of them "The savages have a particular devotion for the night that was enlightened by the birth of the Son of God..."
"Of the Father's Love Begotten" Divinium Mysterium, plainchant from 13th Century
The words are based on a Latin Poem by Prudentius (348-413) making this the oldest Carol, by far, in today's grouping!!
"Pujdem Spolu Do Betlema" We Are Going to the Stable, Czech
One of many Czech very happy sounding carols.
"Alegria" Happily Singing - Puerto Rican
Clearly a Latin-Mexican flavor to this dancing tune.
"Ballade de Jesus-Christ" French
Story song from 17th century legend about the return of Christ as a hungry child.
"O Tannenbaum" German
Celebration of Christmas was forbidden by the Puritans. By the time of the Revolutionary War, the Christmas Tree arrived in the country as a result of a German Hessian soldier imprisoned in Connecticut in 1777. Christmas trees started becoming popular in homes in the mid 1800s but Christmas was not ever an actual holiday here until 1870. The tune itself appears to date to the 16th century and had various words that had nothing to do with Christmas. Even the 1824 German lyrics are only loosely connected with Christmas. The English version which wrongly translates “Tannenbaum” (meaning merely “fir tree”) into “Christmas Tree” is what cemented it as a true Christmas Carol.
"Lippai" Tyrolean
All about the birth, the star, and begins "Lippai, get out of bed..."
"W Zlobie Lezy" Jesus Holy, Born so Lowly, Polish
Truly a sweet, tender Polish carol and the chorus always mentions the Shepherds.
"Away In A Manger" Medley of three versions:
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” British, West Country
The “West Country” always includes the iconic British areas of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset and may include other western areas too. This carol reaches back to the 1500s and has always been associated with caroling. Although somewhat deprecating, such carols are sometimes called “begging carols” and represented requests for handouts from wealthier families to poorer carolers
