Christmas Carols......

are almost as old as Christianity itself, reflecting the joy experienced by the faithful as they celebrated the birth of their Redeemer. Early European carols hold a particularly keen sense of wonder and awe, since the story of the Nativity was still relatively fresh in the cultural consciousness. The people really did find immediate cause to rejoice when they heard the news; it was the hope of their salvation, the freedom from the bondage of sin, and liberation from the heartless gods of old. Some of these venerable carols have particularly fascinating back-stories. The following are just a few of my favorites:

"Adam Lay iBounden"

      This early English carol dates back to the reign of King Henry V, when Middle English was the vernacular used on the streets. It was originally part of a Mystery Play, performed to tell Biblical stories to the common people. This song takes a particularly interesting spin on the story of Adam and the apple and how his act relates to the incarnation. Adam's sin, it is purported, actually had “blessedness", since it eventually caused God to become human and share supreme intimacy with us. Also, it set off the chain-reaction that allowed Mary to become the "new Eve", the Queen of Heaven, and our special advocate.

"Adam lay ibounden,
Bounden in a bound,
Four thousand winter,
Thought he not too long,
And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took,
As clerkes finden,
Written in here book.
Nay hadda the apple take been,
The apple take been,
Nay hadda never Our Ladye,
A been heavene queene.
Blessed be the time,
That apple take was,
Therefore we maun sigen,
Deo Gracias!"

"Boar's Head Carol"

     Another medieval carol, this one refers to a Christmas tradition continued into modern times at Oxford University in England. Legend has it that a University Student was walking through the woods on his way to midnight mass. Suddenly, a wild boar lept out of the shadows and attacked him. The student promptly produced his silver-gilt Latin book and clunked the beast on the head. Thanks to this quick act of self-preservation, the lad survived and "boar's head" was eaten at his university in celebration.

"The Boar's head in hand bear I,
Bedecked with bay and rosemary,
So I pray you, me masters, be merry,
Quo estis in convivio!
Caput apri defero!
Reddens laudes Domino!
Caput ari defero!
Reddens laudes Domino!"

"Coventry Carol"

     This carol originated in the town of Coventry, England, and was once part of another medieval Mystery Play, the rest of which has been lost to posterity. The lyrics are somewhat difficult to interpret, but it is essentially a haunting lament by the mothers of babies who were slain during King Herod's rampage. Hence, it actually is a carol in honor of the Holy Innocence, although some mistakenly believe it is referring to the Christ Child.

"O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day?
This poor youngling for whom we sing,
Bye, bye, lullee, lullay
Lullee, lulla, thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lullee, lullay,
Lullee, lulla, thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lullee, lullay."

"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"

     Everyone knows this song, but few know it's original purpose. Originating in London and dating from at least the 18th century (some even date it to the 16th century), it was sung by the town watchmen to the gentry of the vicinity. This act of Christmas merry-making would earn the watchmen extra money during the Yuletide. Also, "God Rest Ye Merry" was a traditional greeting dating back to the time of Shakespeare.

"God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray,
O Tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O Tidings of comfort and joy."

"I Saw Three Ships"

     This nursery-rhyme like ditty hints at a legend about the Christ Child and the Virgin Mary visiting Britain. Some pious legends relate how Joseph of Arimathea brought Mary and Jesus along with him on his travels as a tin-trader for Imperial Rome. Cornwall has been claimed as one of their main destinations. The reference in this song to Mary and Jesus traveling on board ships is intriguing, especially since it is Old English in origin. Joseph of Arimathea supposedly returned to Britain after the death and resurrection of Christ where he planted the miraculous Glastonbury Thorn. It was said to have blossomed every Christmas and Easter.

"I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those Ships all three?
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
What was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
Our savior, Christ, and His Ladye,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Our savior, Christ, and His Ladye,
On Christmas day in the morning."

"Gloucestershire Wassail"

     While this isn't a religious song, it does refer to a Yuletide custom of particular significance. The word "wassail" comes from an old Anglo-Saxon term meaning "Good Health!" Various English customs dating back to pre-Christian times include going through the streets singing with a bowl of spiced alcoholic beverage, requesting to be let into various houses to take part in a Christmas feast. Other wassailing customs deal with blessing apple trees in hopes of a good harvest......and to scare away any "wood nymphs" who might be loitering in the vicinity!

"Wassail, wassail, all over the town!
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown,
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree,
With a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee!"

     So, the next time you’re at church with a hymnal on your lap or at a Christmas party with a mug of nog in your hands, relish in the songs of the joyous season and remember the stories behind the carols. They're far too memorable to forget.



"With a wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee....."