What\u2019s the difference between a Christmas carol and a hymn?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>

The UK\u2019s best Christmas concerts this year<\/strong><\/a><\/li>

10 of the best Christmas musicals<\/a><\/strong><\/li>

The best cathedral and abbey choirs across the UK<\/a><\/strong><\/li>

The best Christmas ballets of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
We reveal the top 47 Christmas carol songs, as voted for by 50 top choral experts from around the world. Do you agree with their choices or have we missed your favourite Christmas carol? Here is our ultimate Christmas carol list.<\/p>
For a sneaky preview of their top 5 Christmas carols check out the video below<\/p>
<\/div><\/figure><h2 id=\"h-contents\">Contents<\/h2><p><a href=\"#The-best-Christmas-carol-of-all-time\"><strong>The best Christmas carol of all time<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"#Ten-greatest-christmas-carols-of-all-time\">Greatest Christmas carols: numbers 2 to 10<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"#Greatest-christmas-carols-numbers-11-to-20\">Greatest Christmas carols: numbers 11 to 20<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"#Greatest-christmas-carols-numbers-21-to-30\">Greatest Christmas carols: numbers 21 to 30<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"#Greatest-christmas-carols-numbers-31-to-40\">Greatest Christmas carols: numbers 31 to 40<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"#Greatest-christmas-carols-numbers-41-to-47\">Greatest Christmas carols: numbers 41 to 47<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p\/><h2 id=\"The-best-Christmas-carol-of-all-time\">The best Christmas carol of all time<\/h2><h3 id=\"h-1-in-the-bleak-midwinter\"><strong>1. In the Bleak Midwinter<\/strong><\/h3><p>Does any other carol get to the very heart of Christmas as understatedly but effectively as <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/in-the-bleak-midwinter-lyrics\">In The Bleak Midwinter<\/a><\/strong><\/em>? Christina Rossetti\u2019s poem of 1872 is nigh-on perfect as a carol text : there\u2019s the winter cold, the coming of Christ, the description of the nativity scene and, finally, that \u2018What shall I give him?\u2019 moment of self-reflection. <\/p><p>And then there\u2019s the music. While\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/gustav-holst\">Gustav Holst<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s charming setting of 1909 is rightly loved by millions worldwide, it is the less well known but infinitely more stylish setting by Harold Darke from two years later that is many people’s favourite.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"In the bleak midwinter, by Gustav Holst (1874-1934)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SE0aIQp9V4s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p\/><h2 id=\"Ten-greatest-christmas-carols-of-all-time\">Ten greatest Christmas carols of all time<\/h2><h3 id=\"h-2-in-dulci-jubilo\"><strong>2. In Dulci Jubilo<\/strong><\/h3><p> \u2018Its ancient German tune has become familiar in many guises, such as the famous Bach Christmas organ chorale prelude, the hymn \u2018Good Christian Men Rejoice\u2019 or even Mike Oldfield\u2019s 1975 chart hit.\u2019<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/dulci-jubilo\/\"><strong> Read more<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"In Dulci Jubilo\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iXze_TLUTqM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p> <\/p><h3 id=\"h-3-a-spotless-rose\"><strong>3. A Spotless Rose<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/herbert-howells\">Herbert Howells<\/a><\/strong> said this carol came to him as he was watching trains shunting on the Bristol-Gloucester line from his cottage window.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/spotless-rose-lyrics\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Herbert Howells - A Spotless Rose (w\/score)\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uzHIo4c3ukM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p> <\/p><h3 id=\"h-4-bethlehem-down\"><strong>4. Bethlehem Down<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018The outward beauty of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/who-was-philip-heseltine-also-known-as-peter-warlock\">Peter Warlock<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s <em>Bethlehem Down<\/em>, combined with a very English sort of introverted melancholy, complements the sombre yet reverent mood of many a traditional candle-lit carol service.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/bethlehem-down\/\"><strong>(read more about the Christmas carol <\/strong><\/a><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/bethlehem-down\">Bethlehem Down<\/a><\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/bethlehem-down\/\"><strong> here…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"King's College Cambridge 2010 #17 Bethlehem Down\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-z3Tz5AIsa0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-5-lully-lulla-the-coventry-carol\"><strong>5. Lully, Lulla<\/strong> (The Coventry Carol)<\/h3><p>\u2018The Coventry Carol, which dates back to the 16th century, is haunting, beautiful, and one of the greatest Christmas carols of all time. It’s also about as dark as Christmas carols get, with its doom-laden words depicting a mother\u2019s fears for the fate of her child as she lulls him to sleep.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/coventry-carol-lyrics\"><strong>(read more about ‘Lully, Lulla’, also known as The Coventry Carol, here…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Lully Lulla Lullay Philip Stopford\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C6o0amydcLU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-6-tomorrow-shall-be-my-dancing-day\"><strong>6. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018Though thought to find its roots in the world of medieval mystery plays, this Cornish carol was first published in 1833, when it appeared in William Sandys\u2019s volume <em>Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern<\/em>.\u2019 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/tomorrow-shall-be-my-dancing-day-lyrics\">(read more…)<\/a><\/strong> <\/p><p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rwrB4-nFxhg?list=RDrwrB4-nFxhg\" width=\"625\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\"\/><\/p><p> <\/p><h3 id=\"h-7-there-is-no-rose\"><strong>7. There is no Rose<\/strong><\/h3><p>‘Of the countless settings of this medieval text, in which a rose represents the Virgin Mary, it\u2019s those by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/topic\/benjamin-britten\"><strong>Benjamin Britten<\/strong><\/a> and John Joubert that have become modern classics.’ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/there-no-rose\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Benjamin Britten's 'There is no Rose'; A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uBYpju2YQeo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p> <\/p><h3 id=\"h-8-o-come-all-ye-faithful-adeste-fideles\">8. O Come all ye Faithful \/ Adeste Fideles<\/h3><p> \u2018The one Christmas carol without which a Christmas service wouldn\u2019t seem complete. What is it that makes it such a perennial favourite?\u2019 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/o-come-all-ye-faithful-lyrics\">(read more…)<\/a><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"#17 O Come, all ye faithful arr. David Willcocks King's College Cambridge 2009\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T5rMQ6P12WY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-9-of-the-father-s-heart-begotten\"><strong>9. Of the Father\u2019s Heart Begotten<\/strong><\/h3><p> ‘Few carols have words that can be traced back as early as this – perhaps <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/when-was-the-first-christmas-carol\/\">the first Christmas carol<\/a><\/strong>. \u2018Corde natus ex parentis\u2019 was written by Roman poet Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, who lived in northern Spain from, roughly, 350 to 400 AD.’ <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/of-the-fathers-heart-begotten-words\">read more…<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/five-best-ancient-christmas-carols\/\"><strong>Five of the best ancient Christmas carols<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Of the Father's Heart Begotten\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-NL2YAz-Y_Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-10-what-sweeter-music\"><strong>10. What Sweeter Music<\/strong><\/h3><p> \u2018American readers might have first heard this exquisite miniature masterpiece in a Volvo advertisement, yet it was originally written for the choir of King\u2019s College, Cambridge for their 1987 service of Nine Lessons and Carols.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/what-sweeter-music-rutter\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"VocalEssence - What Sweeter Music by John Rutter\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fLkxe6q6UyE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/five-best-modern-christmas-carols\"><strong>Five of the best modern Christmas carols<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h2 id=\"Greatest-christmas-carols-numbers-11-to-20\">Greatest Christmas carols of all time: numbers 11 to 20<\/h2><h3 id=\"h-11-once-in-royal-david-s-city\"><strong>11. Once in Royal David\u2019s City<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018Every year, one King\u2019s College, Cambridge chorister is chosen to open the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with the exposed solo verse of <em>Once in Royal<\/em> in front of a packed chapel\u2026 and several million radio listeners.\u2019 <strong>(<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/royal-davids-city-words\/\"><strong>read more about the Christmas carol One in Royal David’s City and its lyrics here…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"King's College Cambridge 2010 #1 Once in Royal David's City\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NMGMV-fujUY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-12-the-sussex-carol\"><strong>12. The Sussex Carol<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018From the cheery opening \u2018On Christmas Night\u2019 to the final triumphant \u2018Amen!\u2019, this carol is one of celebration.\u2019 <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/sussex-carol-lyrics\/\">read more about the ‘Sussex Carol’ and find its lyrics here …<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"King's College Cambridge 2011 #2 Sussex Carol arr. David Willcocks\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3mYXto0x4K0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-13-o-magnum-mysterium-poulenc\"><strong>13. O Magnum Mysterium<\/strong> (Poulenc)<\/h3><p>\u2018Of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/topic\/francis-poulenc\"><strong>Poulenc<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s four Christmas motets, the first is the most solemn, the most haunting and has consistently proved the most popular since they were published in 1952.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/o-magnum-mysterium-poulenc\/\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Francis Poulenc: O magnum mysterium | Calmus Ensemble\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F-BpxHT_FX0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-14-hark-the-herald-angels-sing\"><strong>14. Hark the Herald Angels Sing<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018In 1739 Charles Wesley wrote a Christmas hymn that began \u2018Hark! how all the welkin rings, Glory to the King of Kings\u2019, the first incarnation of what is now <em>Hark! The Herald Angels Sing<\/em>.\u2019<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/hark-herald-angels-sing-lyrics\"> <strong>(read more about Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and its lyrics here…)<\/strong><\/a> <\/p><p><em><strong>Listen to our playlist of the<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/gb\/playlist\/greatest-christmas-carols\/pl.77ca039fc6404fc9b87f92a3d9a07ff3\"><strong>Greatest Christmas carols of all time here<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p><h3 id=\"h-15-o-magnum-mysterium-victoria\"><strong>15. O Magnum Mysterium<\/strong> (Victoria)<\/h3><p>\u2018Did 16th-century Spaniard Tom\u00e1s Luis de Victoria study under the great <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/giovanni-pierluigi-da-palestrina\">Palestrina<\/a><\/strong>? While we can\u2019t be sure, the fluid counterpoint of his 1572 motet <em>O Magnum Mysterium<\/em> is worthy of the Italian master himself.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/o-magnum-mysterium-lyrics\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Victoria - O magnum mysterium\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5dn7HgiT2QY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-16-there-is-a-flower\"><strong>16. There is a flower<\/strong><\/h3><p> \u2018Named \u2018the world\u2019s greatest living composer and conductor of choral music\u2019 by US television station NBC, there\u2019s no denying John <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/john-rutter\/\">Rutter<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s skill at seducing both choirs and audiences alike\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/there-flower\/\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"There is a flower\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/M3KvVMPl3e0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p> <\/p><h3 id=\"h-17-hodie-christus-natus-est-poulenc\"><strong>17. Hodie Christus Natus est (Poulenc<\/strong>)<\/h3><p>\u2018Poulenc\u2019s joyous <em>Hodie Christus Natus Est<\/em> brings the Frenchman\u2019s set of Four Christmas Motets to an ebulliently rowdy conclusion.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/hodie-christus-natus-est-poulenc\/\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Hodie Christus Natus Est - Francis Poulenc (SFSU Chamber Singers)\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KftF7I8iE6k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><p> <\/p><h3 id=\"h-18-the-little-road-to-bethlehem\"><strong>18. The Little Road to Bethlehem<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018British composer Michael Head, who gave piano recitals in factories during the Blitz, hit the right note with this charming miniature for four-part choir, written around 1946.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/little-road-bethlehem\/\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"LOUISA STIRLAND THE LITTLE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DkJ6leSY_CI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/best-pieces-festive-classical-music\/\"><strong>The best pieces of festive classical music<\/strong><\/a> <\/li><\/ul><h3 id=\"h-19-no-small-wonder\"><strong>19. No Small Wonder<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018After a soft organ introduction and an opening line sung in unison, the choral texture blossoms into four parts as the favourite Christmas carol\u2019s narrator marvels at the miracle of Christmas.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/no-small-wonder\/\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"No Small Wonder\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1J0jvdVE0j8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-20-hodie-christus-natus-sweelinck\"><strong>20. Hodie Christus Natus (Sweelinck<\/strong>)<\/h3><p>\u2018Best known for his finely wrought keyboard works, early 17th-century Dutch composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck also wrote some heavy-weight choral music, of which this joyful carol is one of his best examples\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/hodie-christus-natus-est-sweelinck\/\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck - Hodie Christus natus est (multitrack collab)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R20cUpItMd8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/six-best-20th-century-british-choral-works\"><strong>Six of the best 20th-century British choral works<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h2 id=\"Greatest-christmas-carols-numbers-21-to-30\">Greatest Christmas carols of all time: numbers 21 to 30<\/h2><h3 id=\"h-21-the-sans-day-carol\"><strong>21. The Sans Day Carol<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018This beautiful Cornish carol first came to light during the 19th century. A Mr WD Watson, so the story goes, heard it sung in St Day \u2013 Sen Day in Cornish \u2013 a village named after a Breton saint\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/sans-day-carol-lyrics\"><strong>(read more…)<\/strong><\/a><\/p><h3 id=\"h-22-god-rest-ye-merry-gentlemen\"><strong>22. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen!<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018Ebeneezer Scrooge took exception to this traditional English carol in Dickens\u2019s <em>A Christmas Carol<\/em>, reacting so furiously to it that the carol singer on the other side of the door ran away \u2018in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost\u2019 <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/god-rest-ye-merry-gentlemen\/\">read more…<\/a>)<\/strong> <\/p><h3 id=\"h-23-the-three-kings\"><strong>23. The Three Kings<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018When Worcester Cathedral\u2019s organist Ivor Atkins came across Cornelius\u2019s 19th-century song \u2018Die K\u00f6nige\u2019 he knew he had struck gold\u2019…<\/p><h3 id=\"h-24-the-lamb\"><strong>24. The Lamb<\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018Few composers writing in recent years have had as big an impact on the British choral scene as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/topic\/john-tavener\"><strong>Sir John Tavener<\/strong><\/a> (1944-2013)\u2019<strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/lamb-lyrics\">read more…<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p><h3 id=\"h-25-silent-night\"><strong>25. Silent Night <\/strong><\/h3><p>\u2018On Christmas Eve 1818 priest Joseph Mohr turned up on the doorstep of his friend Franz Xaver Gruber and asked him to write a Christmas carol\u2019 <strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/when-was-silent-night-written\/\">read more about how the carol Silent Night was composed here…<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Silent Night\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zjGtlshgX4s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-26-away-in-a-manger\">26. Away in a Manger<\/h3><p>‘<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/away-in-a-manger-lyrics\/\">Away in a Manger’<\/a><\/strong> may be one of the simplest carols of all, whether to sing, play or learn – but none the worse for that. A particular favourite in primary schools, where many parents over the generations have found themselves shedding a proud tear or two in that ‘I love thee lord Jesus’ solo verse…<\/p><p>We named ‘Away in the Manger’ one of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/best-christmas-piano-music\/\">easiest pieces of Christmas music to play on the piano <\/a><\/strong>and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/christmas-violin-music\/\">violin<\/a><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Away in a Manger | Carols from King's 2019\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pbQpEdwGEXo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-\"\/><h3 id=\"h-27-i-wonder-as-i-wander\">27. I Wonder as I Wander<\/h3><p> In North Carolina in 1933 a girl called Annie Morgan caught the ear of folklorist John Jacob Niles as she sang a garbled version of an Appalachian folksong.<\/p><p>Paying her to sing it again, Niles wrote what he heard down and filled in the gaps. Arranged by several composers since, ‘I Wonder as I wander’ has proved a draw for choirs the world over. It made our list of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/six-best-unknown-carols\">best little known Christmas carols<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-28-this-little-babe\">28. This Little Babe<\/h3><p>Benjamin Britten’s<em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/brittens-a-ceremony-of-carols\"> A Ceremony of Carols<\/a><\/strong> <\/em>for treble voices and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/instruments\/what-is-a-harp\/\">harp <\/a><\/strong>had an unlikely genesis, written as it was on a Danish cargo ship crossing the Atlantic in the Middle of World War II – in the mid-summer! From it comes ‘This Little Babe’ in which the choir divides thrillingly into a rapid three-way canon over furious harp rhythms.<\/p><p>It should, reckoned Britten biographer Humphrey Carpenter, be sung with ‘all the vigour of a pillow fight’.<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/best-classical-music-winter\"><strong>The best classical music for winter<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 id=\"h-29-jesus-christ-the-apple-tree\">29. Jesus Christ the Apple Tree<\/h3><p>‘Elizabeth Poston rediscovered this early American text, which recalls the world of the Shakers,’ composer John Rutter tells us about this 1967 carol, ‘and set it to music so simply that it’s difficult to believe no one thought of her tune before (a perfect choral setting too, not a note too many). Spellbinding, magical, unique.’ Here are the<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/jesus-christ-the-apple-tree-lyrics\/\">lyrics to ‘Jesus Christ the Apple Tree’<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p><h3 id=\"h-30-wexford-carol\">30. Wexford Carol<\/h3><p>Dating right back to the 12th century, the ‘Wexford Carol’ comes from the town of Enniscorthy in, yes, County Wexford, Ireland.<\/p><p>Beginning ‘Good people all, this Christmas time’ it has become familiar to many today through John Rutter’s beautiful arrangement of 1978, which begins with a melodious, if frighteningly exposed, baritone solo.<\/p><h2 id=\"Greatest-christmas-carols-numbers-31-to-40\">Greatest Christmas carols of all time: numbers 31 to 40<\/h2><h3 id=\"h-31-gabriel-s-message\">31. Gabriel’s Message<\/h3><p>Chortling choristers love it for the sheer amusement of singing ‘Most highly flavoured gravy’ in place of the intended words. For the rest of us, the gentle ebb and flow of this Basque traditional folk carol, which describes the story of Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary, has a uniquely haunting quality.<\/p><p><strong>Here are the <a class=\"standard-card-new__article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/the-angel-gabriel-from-heaven-came-lyrics\/\">lyrics to The angel Gabriel from heaven came’ also known as ‘Gabriel’s Message’<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p\/><h3 id=\"h-32-ding-dong-merrily-on-high\">32. Ding Dong Merrily on High<\/h3><p>‘Glo-o-o-o-o-o-orr, o-o-o-o-o-orr, o-o-o-o-o-orr, o-o-o-o-o-oria, Hosanna in Excelsis!’ Need we say more?<\/p><p>Here are the full<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/ding-dong-merrily-on-high-lyrics\/\"><strong> lyrics for<\/strong> <strong>Ding Dong Merrily on High<\/strong><\/a><strong>‘<\/strong>, if you want to know what’s sung between the glorias’ and Hosannas’!<\/p><h3 id=\"h-33-jauchzet-frohlocket\">33. Jauchzet, Frohlocket<\/h3><p>At around eight minutes long, the exultant opening chorus to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/johann-sebastian-bach\">Bach<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/js-bachs-christmas-oratorio\">Christmas Oratorio<\/a><\/strong> unsurprisingly finds itself included in many a Christmas carol service. \u2018Triumph, rejoicing\u2019 beam the choir, and even if Bach\u2019s originally intended brass and percussion aren\u2019t to hand, the music is still guaranteed to provide an almighty festive uplift.<\/p><p><strong>Here are ‘<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/jauchzet-frohlocket-lyrics\/\">Jauchzet, frohlocket’ lyrics in both English and German<\/a><\/strong><\/p><div class=\"is-layout-flow is-layout-flow wp-block-group highlight-box\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><ul><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/german-christmas-songs-carols\/\">German Christmas carols: 7 of the best festive songs from Germany<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/what-oratorio\"><strong>What is an oratorio?<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><h3 id=\"h-34-adam-lay-ybounden\">34. Adam Lay Ybounden<\/h3><p>Written at very short notice in 1957 by Boris Ord, organist and choirmaster of King\u2019s College, Cambridge, who then established his work for unaccompanied voice as a regular at the college\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-is-the-festival-of-nine-lessons-and-carols\/\">Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols<\/a><\/strong>. It is still frequently included in the service today. <\/p><h3 id=\"h-35-il-est-ne-le-divin-enfant\">35. <strong>‘Il est n\u00e9 le divin enfant’<\/strong><\/h3><p>A lovably earthly <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/french-christmas-songs\/\">French traditional carol<\/a><\/strong>, in which we are joyfully invited to \u2018Jouez hautbois\u2019 (Play the oboe) and \u2018Re\u0301sonez musettes\u2019 (Sound the bagpipe). Best enjoyed in its original language \u2013 though possibly not in Siouxsie and the Banshees\u2019 dubious pop take on it, released as a single in 1982.<\/p><p\/><h3 id=\"h-36-gloria-from-puer-natus-est\">36. Gloria from <em>Puer Natus Est<\/em><\/h3><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/thomas-tallis\">Thomas Tallis<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s 1554 <em>Puer Natus est<\/em> mass may have been a case of wishful thinking \u2013 was the 16th-century composer reflecting Catholic hopes that Queen Mary I would bear an heir? The work was written for a grand occasion at St Paul\u2019s, reflected by Tallis\u2019s use of full vocal forces throughout and long, arching phrases that fill the outermost reaches of even the most spacious cathedral.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-37-es-ist-ein-ros-entsprungen\"><em>37. Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen<\/em><\/h3><p>Composed in the early 17th century, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/michael-praetorius\">Michael Praetorius<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s <em>Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen<\/em> is one of those hymn tunes whose \u2018tingle factor\u2019 lies in the way that it instantly transports the listener back to a different era. English-speaking congregations are generally familiar with it in the guise of \u2018A Great and Mighty Wonder’.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-38-illuminare-jerusalem\">38. Illuminare Jerusalem<\/h3><p>A modern gem. Leading Scottish composer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/guide-music-judith-weir\/\"><strong>Judith Weir<\/strong><\/a> wrote this short anthem for choir and organ for King\u2019s College, Cambridge, where it was first performed in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in 1985. Setting a medieval Scottish text, it has since enjoyed popularity both in the UK and beyond.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-39-quem-vidistis\">39 Quem Vidistis<\/h3><p>Three of Poulenc\u2019s four unaccompanied <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/poulencs-four-christmas-motets\/\">Christmas motets<\/a><\/strong> were voted into our top Christmas carols list. This one tells of the shepherds eagerly returning from the manger \u2013 the tentatively asked opening question \u2018Quem vidistis?\u2019 (Whom have you seen?) is met with the joyful answer \u2018Natum vidimus\u2019 (We have seen the Son).<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/feature\/world-music\/six-best%E2%80%A6-unknown-carols\"><strong>Five of the best unknown carols<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><p\/><h3 id=\"h-40-here-is-the-little-door\">40 Here is the little door<\/h3><p>GK Chesterton\u2019s beautifully crafted portrait of the Magi arriving at the stable is given a suitably intimate setting for unaccompanied voices by 20th-century English composer Herbert Howells. Overall, the mood is humble, peaceful and reflective, but woven in to the music are occasional references to the darker, more disturbing elements of the Christmas story. Stunning: and makes the list of our greatest Christmas carols of all time.<\/p><h2 id=\"Greatest-christmas-carols-numbers-41-to-47\">Greatest Christmas carols of all time: numbers 41 to 47<\/h2><h3 id=\"h-41-this-is-the-truth-from-above\">41. This is the truth from above<\/h3><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/ralph-vaughan-williams\/\">Vaughan Williams<\/a><\/strong> heard this exquisite carol sung by a folk singer, one Ella Leather in Herefordshire in 1909. His subsequent unaccompanied choral setting with its poignant modal harmonies recounts the creation of man and Jesus\u2019s promise of redemption. VW later used it to open his <em>Fantasia on Christmas Carols<\/em>.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-42-joys-seven\">42. Joys Seven<\/h3><p>The earliest known manuscript of this traditional folksong, dating from the 14th century, tells of just five joys enjoyed by Mary. Today, depending on where you are in the country, you may find versions with up to 12 joys, each listed in turn! In best King\u2019s College, Cambridge tradition Stephen Cleobury has left his festive mark as director of music with a number of fine arrangements, this included.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-43-i-saw-three-ships\">43. I saw three ships<\/h3><p>The nautical classic ‘<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/what-are-the-lyrics-to-i-saw-three-ships\/\">I saw three ships<\/a><\/strong>‘ failed to get many votes. Is it just that little bit too much like a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-is-a-sea-shanty\/\">sea-shanty<\/a><\/strong>? Whatever, it clearly didn\u2019t float our choirmasters\u2019 boat.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-44-the-holly-and-the-ivy\">44. The Holly and the Ivy<\/h3><p>Strangely the holly-based Sans Day carol won more votes from our choirmasters than this one. Perhaps it\u2019s because the verse and chorus sound almost identical \u2013 over five rounds, this gets a bit repetitive.<\/p><p><strong>Here are the <a class=\"standard-card-new__article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/holly-and-the-ivy-words\/\">lyrics to ‘The Holly and The Ivy’<\/a><\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/what-carol\">What is a carol?<\/a> <\/strong><\/li><\/ul><h3 id=\"h-45-the-12-days-of-christmas\">45. The 12 Days of Christmas<\/h3><p>One of those festive things that, like turkey with all the trimmings, seems a great idea until you\u2019ve got about halfway through. Once the swans have swum and the geese have laid, most of us, frankly, wish the maids would take their lords their leaping elsewhere.<\/p><p><strong>Here are the <a class=\"standard-card-new__article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/the-12-days-of-christmas-lyrics\/\">lyrics to ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’<\/a><\/strong><\/p><h3 id=\"h-46-while-shepherds-watched\">46. While shepherds watched<\/h3><p>For all those of us who once donned the compulsory dressing gown and tea-towel for the school nativity play, the low position of \u2018<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-are-the-lyrics-to-while-shepherds-watched-their-flocks\/\">While Shepherds Watched<\/a><\/strong>\u2019 is hard to accept. OK. admittedly it is quite long, and doesn\u2019t really do much over its six verses. <\/p><h3 id=\"h-47-past-three-o-clock\">47. Past three o\u2019clock<\/h3><p>It seems that the prospect of heaving oneself out of bed pre-dawn and experiencing the wintry magic that is the \u2018hinds o\u2019er the pearly dewy lawn\u2019 doesn\u2019t appeal hugely to our voting choral director so this didn’t score highly. Can\u2019t say we blame them.<\/p><p>Inspired by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wait_(musician)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">London Waits<\/a><\/strong> George Ratcliffe Woodward wrote the carol in 1848.<\/p><p\/><p><em>What do you think of the expert’s choices of the 25 greatest carols of all time? Did they miss out your favourite? Comment below and tell us what you would have had on the list.<\/em><\/p><p>Discover the lyrics to, and the story behind, your<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/tag\/christmas-carol-lyrics\/\"> favourite Christmas carols<\/a> <\/strong>here<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By BBC Music Magazine Published: Monday, 04 December 2023 at 20:21 PM Christmas carols. Without them, Christmas wouldn\u2019t be Christmas. From angel-singing, bell-ringing ebullience to deep, spiritual contemplation, nothing can match the Christmas carol in terms of creating an atmosphere \u2013 whether echoing through a vast cathedral, or sung by children in a nativity play, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":35993,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"13"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/the-47-best-christmas-carols-of-all-time-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/the-47-best-christmas-carols-of-all-time-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/the-47-best-christmas-carols-of-all-time-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/the-47-best-christmas-carols-of-all-time-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/the-47-best-christmas-carols-of-all-time-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/the-47-best-christmas-carols-of-all-time-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/the-47-best-christmas-carols-of-all-time-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By BBC Music Magazine Published: Monday, 04 December 2023 at 20:21 PM Christmas carols. Without them, Christmas wouldn\u2019t be Christmas. From angel-singing, bell-ringing ebullience to deep, spiritual contemplation, nothing can match the Christmas carol in terms of creating an atmosphere \u2013 whether echoing through a vast cathedral, or sung by children in a nativity play,…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/35992"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}