Origins of Some Christmas Songs
Many Christmas songs have very old origins. These Christmas songs that are usually sung during the holiday season inspire deep emotion and love within most of us. Many talk about the birth of our savior Jesus Christ while others depict the joy of the season of giving. Here are some songs and their origins and history.
Silent Night
Among the many Christmas songs that we listen to during the holiday season, one of the most endearing and popular songs is "Silent Night". This very beautiful Christmas song is said to have been written in the year 1816 by an Austrian priest named Joseph Mohr. The piano of their small town, Oberndorf, was broken during Christmas Eve and since there was no other way to fix it, he revised the melody of the Christmas song to fit a guitar instead of the organ.
Deck the Halls
This Christmas song has its roots traced back to Welsh culture and is said to have been based on a Welsh song named Nos Galan. The English version of the song are said to have originated from America when the immigrants brought their Nos Galan song to the United States of America.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
This Christmas song was written by Charles Wesley in the year 1739. It was initially sung at a much slower pace because he wanted a slower and more somber song to be sung. Several years later William H. Cummings, an English musician, revised the song's pace and matched it to the tune of a song from Mendelssohn.
Joy to the World
There are many Christmas songs that sing about joy during the holiday season but "Joy to the World" is one of the most famous of all. It was written in the year 1719 by Isaac Watts who was a pastor of an independent congregation. He had an award from the University of Edinburg for being a Doctor of Divinity.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
This Christmas song was written by a rector named Philips Brooks during the year 1868 right after the visited Bethlehem. He was so moved by the hills and views of the Holy Land during his visit there that he wrote this song. The tune was composed by his church organ player.
These Christmas songs have old histories and origins but they are all inspired by the joy of the holiday season. Up to this very day, they are still among the most popular songs that fill the holiday air.
