List of Christmas carols facts for kids
A Christmas carol is a special kind of song that people sing during the Christmas season. Originally, carols were songs that celebrated Christmas or the time around it. You might think of them as traditional songs, often with a religious meaning, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a Christmas carol and a regular Christmas song. Carols are often older and have a more traditional feel. Many carols focus on the Christian story of Jesus's birth. Others celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, which go from December 25th to January 5th. This means some carols are connected to other special days like St. Stephen's Day (December 26th) or Epiphany (January 6th). For example, "We Three Kings" is an Epiphany song, and "Good King Wenceslas" is for St. Stephen's Day.
But not all Christmas songs are about religion! Some are about winter, family, or Santa Claus. Think of songs like "Jingle Bells", "O Christmas Tree", or "Frosty the Snowman". These are often called "Christmas songs" rather than "carols," but people still love to sing them during the holidays!
Contents
- Carols from Around the World
- Afrikaans Carols
- Arabic Carols
- Catalan Carols
- Chinese Carols
- Croatian Carols
- Czech Carols
- Danish Carols
- Dutch Carols
- English Carols
- Estonian Carols
- Filipino Carols
- Finnish Carols
- French Carols
- German Carols
- Greek Carols
- Hungarian Carols
- Irish Carols
- Italian Carols
- Latin Carols
- Norwegian Carols
- Polish Carols
- Portuguese Carols
- Romanian Carols
- Scottish Carols
- Spanish Carols
- Swedish Carols
- Ukrainian Carols
- Welsh Carols
- See also
Carols from Around the World
Christmas carols are sung in many different languages all over the world. Here's a look at some popular carols, organized by their original language.
Afrikaans Carols
Here's a carol from Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Somerkersfees" | Koos du Plessis | This title means "Summer Christmas." |
Arabic Carols
Here's a traditional Arabic Christmas carol.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Laylat Al-Milad" | Traditional Maronite Hymn | This title means "Christmas Eve." |
Catalan Carols
Catalan is a language spoken in parts of Spain and France. Here are some of their traditional carols.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Fum, Fum, Fum" ("El vint-i-cinc de desembre") | Traditional | 16th century | The word "fum" might sound like a drum! |
| "El cant dels ocells" (meaning "Song of the Birds") | Traditional; Pablo Casals arranged the song for cello | Lyrics are printed in 17th century | Also known as "Carol of Birds." |
| "El Noi de la Mare" (meaning "The Son of the Mother") | Traditional | 17th-18th century | Also known as "Carol of the Gifts." |
Chinese Carols
These carols come from China. The English titles are from well-known hymn books.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 聖誕歌 Shèngdàn Gē (The Moon and Stars of Christmas Eve) | Bliss Wiant (Chinese name: 范天祥 Fàn Tiānxiáng) / 田景福 (Tián Jǐngfú) | 1934 / 1933 | |
| 明星燦爛歌 Míngxīng Cànlàn Gē (Midnight, Sleeping Bethlehem) | 梁季芳 (Liáng Jìfāng) / 楊鏡秋 (Yáng Jìngqiū) | 1934 / 1930 |
Croatian Carols
Here are some carols from Croatia.
| Carol | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "U to vrijeme godišta" ("At that time of the year") | Traditional | 12th century | |
| "Svim na Zemlji, mir, veselje" ("All on Earth, peace, joy") | Franjo Langer/Adam Alojzij Baričević | 18th century |
Czech Carols
These carols come from the Czech Republic.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Nesem vám noviny" ("We bring you good news, hark!") | traditional from Bohemia | Also known as "Come, All Ye Shepherds." | |
| "Půjdem spolu do Betléma" ("Let's all go to Bethlehem.") | traditional from Bohemia | ||
| "Narodil se Kristus pán" ("Jesus was born") | traditional from Bohemia | 1505 | |
| "Zither Carol" | Czech folk tune - Sedlák, sedlák | 1958 | English lyrics by Malcolm Sargent. |
| "Svatý Václave" (religious hymn from XII century) | words: John Mason Neale, music: tune from Piae Cantiones | 1853 | Known in English as "Good King Wenceslas." |
Danish Carols
In Denmark, people often dance around the Christmas tree while singing carols!
| Carol | Composer/Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Dejlig er den himmel blå [da]" | J.G. Meidell / N.F.S. Grundtvig | ca. 1840 / 1853, 1864 | An Epiphany carol. |
| "Dejlig er jorden" | Silesian tune / B.S. Ingemann | 18th century / 1850 | |
| "Det kimer nu til julefest" | C. Balle / N.F.S. Grundtvig | 1850 / 1817, 1837 | |
| "Puer natus in Bethlehem" | German tune / N.F.S. Grundtvig | Ca. 1600 / 1820 | A favorite for children. |
Dutch Carols
Here are some carols from the Netherlands.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Nu Syt Wellekome" | Traditional melody | Probably 15th Century | One of the oldest known Dutch carols. |
| "In dulci jubilo" | 15th Century | ||
| "De Herdertjes lagen bij nachte" | Dutch traditional | 1852 | |
| "Ere zij God" | Dutch original | 1857 | Known in English as "Glory to God." |
English Carols
English carols are some of the most famous around the world.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The Twelve Days of Christmas" | Traditional with additions by Frederic Austin | c. 1780 | A fun song about gifts given each day. |
| "Angels We Have Heard on High" | based on traditional hymn "Gloria" (a French traditional carol "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes"); English translation by Bishop James Chadwick, tune arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes | 1862 | Features the famous "Gloria in excelsis Deo" chorus. |
| "Away in a Manger" | First two stanzas unknown, often wrongly attributed to Martin Luther; third stanza written by John McFarland (1904) | 1882 | A gentle lullaby for baby Jesus. |
| "Carol of the Bells" | Mykola Leontoyvch, Peter J. Wilhousky | 1904 | Based on a Ukrainian folk chant. |
| "Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire") |
Robert Wells and Mel Tormé | 1945 | A classic, cozy Christmas song. |
| "The First Noel" ("The First Nowell") | English traditional | 1823 | Tells the story of the first Christmas night. |
| "Good King Wenceslas" | English traditional | 1853 | About a kind king who helps a poor man. |
| "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" | *music: Felix Mendelssohn, words: Charles Wesley, amended by George Whitefield and Martin Madan | 1739 | A powerful carol about the angels' message. |
| "Jingle Bells" | James Lord Pierpont | 1857 | Originally about a Thanksgiving sleigh ride! |
| "Joy to the World" | words: Isaac Watts based on Psalm 98, music: arranged by Lowell Mason based on themes in Handel's Messiah | 1719 | A joyful song about Jesus's arrival. |
| "The Little Drummer Boy" ("Carol of the Drum") |
written by Katherine K. Davis | 1941 | About a boy who plays his drum for the newborn King. |
| "O Holy Night" | words: Placide Cappeau de Rouquemaure, translated by John Sullivan Dwight, music: Adolphe Adam | 1847 | A beautiful and dramatic carol. |
| "O Little Town of Bethlehem" | words: Phillips Brooks | 1867 | A peaceful song about the town where Jesus was born. |
| "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" | Johnny Marks | 1949 | A fun story about Santa's special reindeer. |
| "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" | Josef Mohr / Franz Xaver Gruber | 1818 | One of the most famous and peaceful carols. |
| "We Three Kings of Orient Are" ("Three Kings of Orient") | written by Rev. John Henry Hopkins | 1863 | An Epiphany carol about the wise men. |
| "What Child Is This?" | music: traditional English song "Greensleeves", words: William Chatterton Dix | 1865 | Asks about the identity of the baby in the manger. |
Estonian Carols
Here are some carols from Estonia.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Tiliseb, tiliseb aisakell" ("Tinkling, Tinkling Sleigh Bell") | words by Leonhard (Leo) Virkhaus, melody by Julius Oengo (J. Oro). | 1934 | This song has become famous in over 70 countries! |
Filipino Carols
The Philippines has its own wonderful Christmas carols.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" (Christmas Has Come) | Tagalog lyrics by Levi Celerio: adapted from Cebuano lyrics by Vicente Rubi, Mariano Vestil | 1933 | A very popular Filipino Christmas song. |
Finnish Carols
Here are some carols from Finland.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "En etsi valtaa, loistoa" ("Give Me No Splendour, Gold, or Pomp") | words by Zachris Topelius (1887; Finnish translation by Martti Korpilahti, 1909); music by Jean Sibelius (1909) | ||
| "Joulupuu on rakennettu" ("Christmas tree has been built") | words by Gustaf Oskar Schöneman; music Finnish folk melody | 1876 |
French Carols
French carols are called "Noëls."
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Il est né, le divin Enfant" | Traditional French | c. 1875 | Means "He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child." |
| "Les Anges dans nos campagnes" | Known in English as "Angels We Have Heard on High." | ||
| "Minuit, Chrétiens" ("Cantique de Noël") | lyrics: Placide Cappeau, music: Adolphe Adam | 1843 (lyrics), 1847 (music) | Known in English as "O Holy Night." |
| "Patapan" ("Guillô, pran ton tamborin!") | Bernard de La Monnoye | Means "Willy, take your tambourine!" |
German Carols
Germany has many well-known Christmas carols.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Alle Jahre wieder" ("Every Year Again") | Friedrich Silcher /Wilhelm Hey | 1837 | |
| "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" ("A Rose Has Sprung Up") | Anonymous | 16th century | Known in English as "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming." |
| "Ihr Kinderlein, kommet" ("Oh, Come, Little Children") | Johann Abraham Peter Schulz / Christoph von Schmid |
1794 (music)/ 1798 (lyrics)/ 1832 (combination of text and music) |
|
| "O du fröhliche" ("Oh You Joyful") | Johannes Daniel Falk / Heinrich Holzschuher | 1816 | |
| "O Tannenbaum" ("O Christmas Tree") | German traditional/ E. Anschütz, A. Zarnack | 18th century | A famous song about the Christmas tree. |
| "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" | Josef Mohr / Franz Xaver Gruber | 1818 | The original German version of "Silent Night." |
Greek Carols
Greek carols are often called "Kalanta."
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Κάλαντα Χριστουγέννων" ("Christmas Carol") | Greek Traditional | Also known by its first line: "Καλήν Εσπέραν Άρχοντες" ("Good Evening, Lords"). |
Hungarian Carols
Here are some carols from Hungary.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Mennyből az angyal" ("Angels from Heaven") | |||
| "Kis karácsony, nagy karácsony" ("Little Christmas, Big Christmas") |
Irish Carols
Ireland has many traditional carols.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Christmas Day Is Come" (also known as "The Irish Carol") | words by Fr. William Devereaux, | 18th Century | Part of "The Kilmore Carols." |
| "Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil" ("That Night in Bethlehem") | Irish traditional | ||
| "Wexford Carol" (also "Enniscorthy Carol") | Irish traditional | A very old and beautiful Irish carol. |
Italian Carols
Italy, with its rich history, has lovely Christmas carols.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Gesù bambino" ("The Infant Jesus") | Pietro Yon | 1917 | Known in English as "When Blossoms Flowered." |
| "Tu scendi dalle stelle" ("From Starry Skies Thou Comest") | Italian traditional |
Latin Carols
Many very old carols were written in Latin, the language of the Roman Empire and the early Church.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Adeste Fideles" ("O Come, All Ye Faithful") | attributed to John Francis Wade, Latin words translated by Frederick Oakeley | c. 1743 | A very famous carol sung worldwide. |
| "Gaudete" ("Rejoice") | sacred Christmas carol | 1582 | Became popular again in the 1970s. |
| "In dulci jubilo" | Heinrich Seuse | 1328 | A mix of Latin and another language (like German). |
Norwegian Carols
Here's a popular carol from Norway.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Musevisa" | Alf Prøysen | 1946 | The lyrics are by Prøysen, set to a traditional tune. |
Polish Carols
Poland has many beautiful Christmas carols.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Bóg się rodzi" ("God Is Born") | Franciszek Karpiński | 1792 | A very important Polish carol. |
| "Lulajże, Jezuniu" (Sleep now, baby Jesus") | Traditional | 1738 | Frédéric Chopin used this carol in one of his famous piano pieces! |
| "Wśród nocnej ciszy" ("In the night silence") | Traditional | <1853 | |
| "W żłobie leży" ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly") | Piotr Skarga | 17th century |
Portuguese Carols
Here are some carols from Portugal.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "A todos um Bom Natal" ("Merry Christmas To You All") |
César Batalha/Lúcia Carvalho | 1980 | |
| "O Menino está dormindo" ("The Infant Jesus Is Sleeping") |
Traditional | 18–19th century |
Romanian Carols
Romania has many carols, some of which are also sung for New Year's Eve.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "O, ce veste minunată!"
("Oh. what wonderful news") |
D.G. Kiriac | ||
| "Pluguşorul"
("The little plow") |
Traditional | This carol is more for New Year's Eve. | |
| "Mos Craciun cu plete dalbe"
("Santa Claus with whithened hair") |
Ioan D. Chirescu |
Scottish Carols
Here are some carols from Scotland.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Taladh Chriosda" ("Christ's Lullaby") | Traditional | Also known as "The Christ-Child's Lullaby." |
Spanish Carols
Spanish carols are very popular, especially in Spain and Latin America.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Arre borriquito" (meaning "Giddy up little donkey") | Music: Ricardo Boronat
Lyrics: Diego San José de la Torre |
Between 1925 and 1930 | |
| "Hacia Belén va una burra" ("To Bethlehem goes a donkey") | Father Antonio Soler | 18th century | Very popular in Spanish-speaking countries. |
| "Campana sobre campana" or "Campanas de Belén" ("Bells of Bethlehem") | Traditional | Early 20th century | One of the most translated Spanish carols. |
| "Los peces en el río" | Traditional | ||
| "A la Nanita Nana" | Juan Francisco Muñoz y Pavón | 1904 | A sweet lullaby. |
Swedish Carols
In Sweden, people often dance around the Christmas tree while singing carols!
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Gläns över sjö och strand" ("Shine Over the Lake and the Shore") | words by Viktor Rydberg (1891) music by Alice Tegnér (1893) | ||
| "Nu tändas tusen juleljus" ("We Have Kindled Thousands of Christmas Lights Now") | words and music by Emmy Köhler |
Ukrainian Carols
Ukrainian carols are known for their beautiful melodies.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Бог предвічний народився" "Boh predvičnyj narodilsja" (God Eternal is Born) |
1790 | Considered a very important Ukrainian carol. | |
| "Добрий вечір тобі, пане господарю" "Dobryi vechir tobi, pane hospodariu" (Good Evening to You) |
Sung when people go caroling from house to house. | ||
| "Щедрик" "Shchedryk" |
Микола Леонтович Mykola Leontovych |
This song's melody is used for the famous English "Carol of the Bells"! |
Welsh Carols
Here are some carols from Wales.
| Title | Composer / Lyricist | Year published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Ar Hyd y Nos" ("All Through the Night") | Edward Jones (Composer) / John Ceiriog Hughes (Welsh lyrics) | 1784 | Known in English as "All Through the Night." |
| "Oer yw'r gŵr sy'n methu caru" | Thomas Oliphant (English lyrics) | 1862-74 | Known in English as "Deck the Hall." |
See also
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List of Christmas carols Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.