- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The music is from the second chorus of a cantata by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) written in 1840 to commemorate the invention of printing. The words are from 1739 by Charles Wesley whose brother John founded the Methodist church.
Quiz note: Mendelssohn had made it clear that his music was for secular use and Wesley specifically requested slow solemn music for his lyrics.
- The First Noel
Sometimes given the English spelling, Nowell, it first appeared in print in England in a collection of William Sandys in 1833. The words and music are traditional. Most think it is from 16th or 17th century France while according to others it never had any French origins and is very English.
- Away in a Manger
The first 2 verses were originally published in a Lutheran Sunday school book in 1885. Two years later James Murray published it as "Luther's Cradle Hymn" thus spawning the dichotomy that Luther created it. The words are usually considered American anonymous. Some credit the music to Murray while others think he merely harmonized the words of an old German folk song. The tune closely follows the Scottish song 'Flow Gently Sweet Afton".
Learn more about Christmas Carol history at Christmas Carnivals
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