Past Three O'Clock facts for kids
"Past Three O'Clock" is a well-known English Christmas carol. It is based on the calls of the traditional London waits. These "waits" were musicians and watchmen who patrolled the streets at night. They used music to show they were on duty and to mark the hours. The main part of the song, called the refrain, has been around since at least the 1600s. It first appeared in a book called The Dancing Master in 1665.
Who Wrote the Words?
The words for "Past Three O'Clock" were written by George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848–1934). He wrote them to go with the old tune called "London Waits." Woodward loved old-fashioned poetry. He added new lines to the traditional refrain in a style that sounded like poems from long ago. The carol was published in 1924 in a book called A Cambridge Carol Book. This book included 52 songs for Christmas, Easter, and other times of the year.
Famous Recordings
Many groups and artists have recorded "Past Three O'Clock." Some famous choirs that have recorded it include:
- The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge
- The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
- The Monteverdi Choir
Other musicians who have recorded the carol include James Galway with the National Philharmonic Orchestra. The Irish band The Chieftains also included it on their 1991 album, The Bells of Dublin.
In Popular Music
"Past Three O'Clock" has also been recorded by popular music artists.
- Linda Ronstadt included it on her album A Merry Little Christmas in 2000.
- Chris Squire recorded it for his album Chris Squire's Swiss Choir in 2007.
See also
