Excerpt from The Christmas Carolers' Book in Song and Story Glory to God in the Highest And on earth, peace to men of good will. This was the first Christmas song that fell upon' the ears of man. It has been, the inspiration of myriads of hymns and carols. 'many of these have become very dear to us. A choice collection of these favorite Christmas songs is here presented. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Describes the origins of thirty-one famous Christmas songs, including "Jingle Bells," "O Holy Night," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and provides the lyrics to each.

From Andrew Gant, Oxford professor and renowned British composer, The Carols of Christmas is a joyous account of the history behind our favorite carols--from Advent through Epiphany. Everyone loves a carol--in the end, even Ebenezer Scrooge had a soft spot for them! They have the power to evoke a special type of mid-winter joy, like the aroma of gingerbread or the twinkle of lights on a tree. It's a kind of magic. But how did they get that magic? Gant--a choirmaster, church musician, university professor, and writer--tells the story of twenty carols, each accompanied by lyrics and music, unraveling a captivating, and often surprising, tale of great musicians and thinkers, saints and pagans, shepherds and choirboys. Along the way, Gant answers some of the biggest questions he's received about these beloved carols over the years, including: How did the most beloved carols come to be? Why do we sing the versions of carols that we do? How did these carols stand the test of time? Readers get to delve into the history of favorites like "Good King Wenceslas," "Away in a Manger," and "O, Tannenbaum," discovering along the way how "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" came to replace "Hark, how all the welkin' ring" and how Ralph Vaughan Williams applied the tune of an English folk song about a dead ox to a poem by a nineteenth-century American pilgrim to make "O Little Town of Bethlehem." A charming book that brims with anecdote, expert knowledge, and Christmas spirit, The Carols of Christmas is a fittingly joyous account of one of the best-loved musical traditions.

Forty-nine well-known carols in SATB arrangements, complete with a historical description of each.

30 Sing-Along Favorites for the Christmas Season Christmas carols bring the joy of the season, especially when shared with others. A Classic Christmas Caroling Songbook, which includes lyrics and music for 30 of the season's most popular songs from the Christian Life Hymnal, is the perfect addition to any Christmas gathering. Whether you're gathered around the piano or out singing on the streets, A Classic Christmas Caroling Songbook is a seasonal must-have. These 30 carols were selected for their richness of message and timeless appeal: Angels from the Realms of GloryAngels We Have Heard on HighAway in a Manger (Cradle Song)Away in a Manger (Second Tune)Come, Thou Long-Expected JesusDing! Dong! Merrily on HighThe First NoelGo, Tell It on the MountainGod Rest Ye Merry, GentlemenGood Christian Friends, RejoiceGood King WenceslasHark! The Herald Angels SingIn the Bleak MidwinterIt Came Upon a Midnight ClearJoy to the World!Lo, How a Rose E'er BloomingLove Came Down at ChristmasO Come, All Ye FaithfulO Come, Little ChildrenO Come, O Come, EmmanuelO Holy NightO Little Town of Bethlehem (St. Louis)O Little Town of Bethlehem (Forest Green)Once in Royal David's CitySilent Night, Holy NightUnto Us a Child Is BornWe Three Kings of Orient AreWe Wish You a Merry ChristmasWhat Child Is This?While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by NightAnd look for the companion CD, Classic Christmas Carols (ISBN 9781598562675, UPC 031809063262), perfect to sing along with or just to listen.

Ace Collins has dug deep to uncover the true stories behind your favorite Christmas songs. Explore how these songs came into being, and discover a deeper appreciation for these melodic messages of peace, hope, and joy that celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Take a musical journey in time--from the dawn of the Church's liturgical song through the Baroque's great choral and instrumental works to representative pieces of the 20th century. This is the sacred tradition of Christmas music, explored here in a stunningly illustrated book and a magnificent CD. It covers vocal and instrumental pieces from a variety of national and historical periods and styles, all of which have earned a place in the canon of great musical masterpieces. Not only will musicians and non-musicians alike find this an easily accessible guide, but they'll feast on a sumptuous gallery of thematically and historically corresponding full-color art (including a 14th century manuscript illumination and a nativity scene by Fra Angelico), and revel in some of the best recordings of the music ever made. There's rich, interesting background on every work, from Latin hymns and liturgical chants to Bach's cantatas to contemporary carols. The CD includes the Vienna Boys' Choir performing "Anima Nostra"; Arcangelo Corelli's "Christmas Concerto"; The Trappist Monks of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani singing Gregorian Chants; excerpts from Handel's "Messiah"; and the beloved "Silent Night." No other collection brings together all these elements in such an aesthetically pleasing and educational way.