Christmas and music are synonymous. Christmas carols have been a tradition for ages and rightly, for they make you feel joyful, blessed, and grateful all at once. Here are some carols to make you step back and think about what this season is all about. So, go ahead and dip into your soul as you sing with emotion and feel connected with one and all this X-mas. Moreover, you can sing these on your own.
Psst, don’t forget to download the FREE PDF of the sheet music of one of your favourite, soulful carols!
1. Silent night
Watch this clip of Silent Night by Bindu Subramaniam and Mitali Saraf.
Are you feeling sentimental? This Christmas carol has warm and soothing tones that can make those cold, wintry nights cozy and peaceful. A sense of calm and quiet descends on listeners. This carol can take you into a ruminative mood. A chance to get in touch with your gentler side. Also, a good song to test your voice with higher pitches.
History: This song was written in 1816 by Joseph Mohr and the music was composed by Franz Gruber in 1818.
Are you interested in songwriting? Learn how to write songs at your own pace with singer-songwriter, Bindu Subramaniam.
Fun fact: We sing a translated version today. The original was written in Austrian-German Mohr’s native language. A version of Silent Night sung by famous American singer and actor, Bing Crosby, in 1935, sold 30 million copies!
Lyrics:
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night
Radiant beams from thy holy face
Son of God, love’s pure light
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Get your FREE PDF of the sheet music of Silent Night so you can play and sing together!
2. O Holy Night!
Here is a classical Christmas carol to sing solo to test the strength of your voice and ability to reach high pitches. A touching song to listen to when you are in a mood to ponder. This peaceful, deep song has a soft melody and soulful lyrics.
History: This carol is based on a French poem written by French poet Placide Cappeau in 1843 set to music by Adolphe Adam in 1847. The English version was written by John Sullivan Dwight in 1855.
Fun fact: Renditions by famous pop music singers such as Mariah Carey and Celine Dion have made this even more popular.
Lyrics:
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
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3. Oh Christmas tree
A song about a fir tree that became a Christmas carol, O Christmas tree is a soft solo piece that will fill the singer and player with devotion and joy.
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History: The lyrics were written in 1824 by organist and composer, Ernst Anschütz. The tune is an old folk tune from the 16th century.
Fun fact: The original is in German and is called O Tannenbaum (refers to a fir tree). We sing a translated version today. This song was not related to Christmas but was a traditional folk song about the fir tree.
Lyrics:
O Christmas tree O Christmas tree you stand in splendid beauty!
O Christmas tree O Christmas tree you stand in splendid beauty!
Your branches green in summer’s glow
And evergreen in winter’s snow
O Christmas tree O Christmas tree you stand in splendid beauty!
O Christmas tree O Christmas tree you stand in splendid beauty!
O Christmas tree O Christmas tree you stand in splendid beauty!
Your branches green in summer’s glow
And evergreen in winter’s snow
O Christmas tree O Christmas tree you stand in splendid beauty!
4. Joy to the world
Here is a song to make you grateful for life’s blessings, to make you want to give back to the world by spreading happiness. A jolly and lively, yet deep and meaningful song, this carol will inject emotion, energy, and enthusiasm into the singer and listener, spreading joy as it promises!
History: This traditional Christmas carol was written in 1719 by the English minister and hymn writer Isaac Watts. The song is sung to an 1848 arrangement by American composer Lowell Mason.
Fun fact: This is the most published Christmas hymn as of the late 20th century in North America.
Lyrics:
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
5) Mary, don’t you know?
A soft, stirring, and soulful melody that prompts us all to think about how blessed we are in our lives. Put all your thought, feeling, and emotion into this one as you move and feel moved at once!
History: This modern Christmas carol was written by singer-songwriter and minister Mark Lowry, in 1984, with music composed by singer and instrumentalist, Buddy Greene in 1991.
Fun facts: There have been many recordings of these songs that have become extremely popular chartbusters. Many famous artistes including American Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton have recorded this song.
Lyrics:
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod,
And when you kiss your little baby
You’ve kissed the face of God?
Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again,
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb!
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Was Heaven’s perfect Lamb,
And the sleeping Child you’re holding
Is the great, the Great I AM?
Oh, Mary, Mary, did you know?
Keep in mind that as songs and language are always evolving, you may find variations from the versions you have heard, or the ones your friends and family are singing. Just go with it!
If you would like to sing these and other popular songs with some expert guidance, you can join Western vocal classes at SaPa.
We wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
