Greetings everyone, and welcome to Rave Up Music! I am your host, Barius, and….well….
CHRISTMAS!!!!
Yeah, I LOVE Christmas! The
decorations, the gift exchanges, the warm feeling of being with family and love
ones, and everything else the whole holiday season has to offer. It is truly my
favorite time of year. Growing up and living in the deserts of California
And, being that this is a music review blog, I really love
Christmas music. Yes, I know that are plenty of people out there who get really
annoyed by the same songs and music being played every year, non-stop for over
a month. Then again, these are the same people who will listen to Top 40
stations who play over and over again with Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Chris
Brown, and other similar artists (and we get that music 365 days of the year).
The thing about Christmas music is that, like all music, it
is to put you in the mood, to really immerse yourself into the spirit of this
time of year, to celebrate the joy of giving to others, and of course, for
billions of Christians around the world, it is the celebration of the birth of
their lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, there are plenty of people out there
who do not celebrate the original intent of Christmas, but that does not mean
the music is not great to listen to.
With this installment of Rave Up Music, we are going to look
at my personal Top 12 Favorite
Traditional Christmas Carols. These are the ones who have been around for
decades, and NOT from any recent
forms of media (radio, television, film), i.e. popular Christmas songs; those
will be covered at another time. Do note that most traditional Christmas music
is written towards celebrating Jesus (oh, what a concept; Christmas music that
celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ), but there are a few gems in
here that covers other aspects of the Christmas season. And you may be asking,
why Top 12? BECAUSE IT IS CHRISTMAS! So, gather around the fireplace, and enjoy
my Top 12 Favorite Traditional Christmas
Carols.
12) “The Wexford
Carol”
Being of Irish descent, I have heard a lot of Irish-based
Christmas music (some of that will be covered in future installments), but the
traditional “Wexford Carol” is one that sticks out to me as being the most
soulful of all Irish Christmas music. Written in the County Wexford Ireland Bethlehem
From a musical perspective, the melody is easy to follow,
even as it changes key signatures in the middle of each refrain. I love
Christmas music that does not stick to one tonality throughout the song; it
gives it a little more life, especially if it helps to show through the music the
struggle that went into giving birth of a savior. The only reason this is on
the bottom of the list that it is not as well known as the other songs, and
tends to get overlook. But, if you have not heard this one before, it is
definite one to check out.
11) “Hark! The Herald
Angel Sing”
Contrary to what most people know about this song, “Hark!
The Herald Angel Sing” was original meant to be a slow and solemn hymn, as
requested by its poet Charles Wesley and not the joyous, upbeat song that is
popular today. The most celebrated version was an adaptation by W.H. Cummings
to Felix Mendelssohn’s secular piece Festgesang, and the rest is history. Though I prefer the upbeat take on the piece,
I am okay with the original slow hymn version. No matter what version you
prefer, the message remains the same: it is a celebration of the birth of
Jesus, from the angels on high, to the humans who follow him. The joy of
celebrate life and the glorious feeling of things will be great makes this a
great addition to my list.
10) “Ding Dong Merrily on High”
9) “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Another song of praising and celebrating the birth of Jesus,
“O Come, All Ye Faithful,” also known as "Adeste Fideles," has been a favorite of mine ever since I was
a wee little one at Christmas…yeah, I am not using that phrase again…Anyway,
one thing I love about this song is the gradual build of the chorus, “O come,
let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ
the Lord.” The build up to the last line of “Christ the Lord” always gives me
chills. The melody flows very nicely, and is very easy to sing. Again, a great
little tune to give you that picks me up during Christmas.
8) “Here We Come
A-Wassailing”
Unlike most of the songs found on this list, “Here We Come
A-Wassailing” focuses on the good wishes of health and prosperity during the
year, especially during Christmas time.
I mean, how else are you going to survive the malls and your check book?
This song celebrates the good times we have with our families and friends, as
well as the generosity we give to those less fortunate during this time of
year. The wassailing in the song refers to the wassail bowl given to beggars
filled with alcohol and apples, just enough to warm them. Because, you know,
nothing feels someone with the Christmas spirit than getting drunk off our ass.
Musically, I love the change in musical meter throughout the piece, with the
verses in 6/8 time, and the chorus in 2/2 time. This is party music in the
traditional sense. If you need a song to get you in the Christmas partying
mood, look no further than this great classic.
7) “I Saw Three
Ships”
With a nice, steady ¾ time signature, the meaning behind the
three ships of “I Saw Three Ships” has been a mystery for centuries. Some say
it is the Three Wise Men, while others say it represents the Trinity.
Regardless of the symbolism of the ships, this song is another celebratory
piece of the Jesus and the Virgin Mary. It is upbeat, and really great for
lifting up any Christmas party. Not much to say except I love this song, and
will continue to listen to it throughout the whole season.
6) “Good King
Wenceslas”
Another song not focused on Jesus, this one tells the story
of King Wenceslas as he goes out to give alms to a hard working peasant on the
Feast of Stephen on the second day of Christmas. This story and song
exemplifies the giving nature of the season, and how good it feels to helps those
in need around the Christmas season. I heard this song many years ago in a
special that we will cover eventually, and it has always stuck with me,
particular to melody of the piece, and all the supportive chords and
countermelodies. Plus, in the hands of the Irish Rovers, it is just good,
drunken fun. (NOTE: Rave Up Music and
those who are associated with this blog do not condone drunken misbehavior, and
reminds all people to drink responsibly this holiday season).
5) “Joy to the World”
The first version I heard of “Joy to the World” was from the
1987 television special Will Vinton’s Claymation
Christmas Celebration, and while the imagery is used in it is a little odd
for most children (my four year old self was hypnotized by it), the music
arrangement makes me feel the intended emotion of the song: joy! Years later,
the Bob Rivers Christmas 80s rock version still has the feeling of celebration
and the joy of the arrival of the messiah of billions of people. Today, this
song captures the spirit of Christmas, in which we should feel joy and
happiness this time of year, whether it is being with family and friends. Yes,
in this modern world, the lyrics of Isaac Watts are cheesy, but no matter if I
am sad or in a content mood, “Joy to the World” always brightens my Christmas.
4) “O Holy Night”
The one thing I love about a lot of traditional Christmas
carols is a few of them are actually written in minor key signatures. Most
Christmas songs are written in Major keys, signifying that they are happy
songs, while minor keys are look at as dark, foreboding key. In “O Holy Night,”
the modulation into minor key during what could be considered refrains/choruses
in the song actually adds to the strength of the message of the birth of Jesus,
and its return to major makes it all the more glorious. It is an uplifting
piece that makes me feel good. Plus, 12/8 time signatures are great to groove
to.
3) “Silent Night”
A very somber piece, this simple three chord piece by Franz
Xaver Gruber has become synonymous with the holiday season. Originally written
in German, “Silent Night,” or “Stille Nacht” is one of those pieces you play
late in the night gathered around the fireplace on a cold winter, and take in
the glow of the flames, or the lights tinkling on the Christmas tree. I have
not heard a version of this song that did not relaxed me, and made me feel at
peace during Christmas time. As hectic as this time of year can get, it is nice
to sit back and just take a break from it all, and “Silent Night” is one of
those songs to ease the nerves.
2) “We Three Kings”
Though not about Jesus Christ, this song tells the story of
the Three Wise Men as they made their journey to Bethlehem to crown the newborn
King of Kings. I like this one because again, it is not like a lot of other
Christmas carols. It is in a ¾ time signature (3/8 time signature, depending on
which version you are looking at), and is also in a minor key until the chorus
section, which switches to a beautiful major key as the songs praises the North
Star brightly shining their way to their Savior. Again, this was another song I
heard way back in my youth that still resonates with me to this very day. Most music
people I associate with do not know this one that well, which in my opinion is
a shame, for it is truly a well-written, musical beautiful piece.
1) “God Rest Ye
Merry, Gentlemen”
Yes, some of you might have guessed this is my absolute
favorite traditional Christmas carol, and with good reason. Similar to “We
Three Kings” and “O Holy Night,” this carol does not stick to a major key, but
that of the Aeolian mode, which for you non-musicians out there, is the mode
commonly used in a song written in a minor key. What made me picked this one is
the imagery of the song. The announcement of the Jesus Christ’s birth to those
who are afraid of Satan and how they must celebrate this important event is
just so grandiose and powerful. It is packed full of Christmas cheer, and for
me, it is my number one favorite Traditional Christmas Carol.
Well, that is my list of Favorite Traditional Christmas Carols. Like any
of my other Countdown lists, please leave a comment on what your favorite
traditional Christmas carols. Again, this was a list of Traditional, not Popular
Christmas Songs. If you are not sure what constitutes “Traditional” or
“Popular” Christmas Songs, I recommend visiting the Wikipedia page on Christmas
music. It is the best webpage out there that clarifies a lot about Christmas
music.
You know, with all this talk about Christmas music, I think
next time, we will look a very common practice for musicians: releasing a
Christmas album. Well, that is all for now here at Rave Up Music. I am your
host, Barius, and keep on rockin’, even during Christmas time.
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