Christmas Carols

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Christmas Carols

The Christmas carol is a Christian religious song related to the Nativity; carols are derived from secular rather than sacred music, hence they tend to be more fun and tuneful – particularly at the time they were first introduced: by St Francis of Assissi in the 12th century. Sacred music at that time tended to be ponderous.

The word "carol" comes from a French word meaning to "dance in a circle" – not something you’d have been likely to see the clergy doing – ultimately it came to include the music and words as well, and hence the modern Christmas carol.

During the Puritan period carols, like every other form of enjoyment, were banned and a great many were lost. As carols come from the early church there are very strong influences from pre-Christian traditions, lots of lyrics include references to Holly and Ivy, as well as animals.

It was mainly the Victorians who breathed life into the carol and brought it back into common use. The book "A Christmas Carol" was written by Charles Dickens.