Christmas Carols and the Victorian Era

On the first Chirstmas Eve, nearly two thousand years ago, the hills around Bethlehem echoed with song. Sleepy shepherds learned of Jesus' birth from angels singing praises to God and journeyed, amazed, to visit the infant in the manger. As they walked back to their flocks the shepherds, too, sang songs of rejoicing.

The Victorians loved music so it is no surprise that they revived the old medieval carols and also composed new ones, both secular and religious. The Victorians, with their interest in parlor singing began to use cheerful, easily sung music in their Christmas celebrations. Musicians began collecting old nativity carols as well as writing new ones to be sung at Christmas.

Many Victorians had a piano or organ in the parlor at home, and on Christmas Day, after the feasting and other festivities, the family gathered around for the singing of Christmas carols. "Silent Night", "O Christmas Tree", and "I Heard the Bells were favorite selections for the program.

The tradition of caroling from door to door grew out of the waits, an ancient English custom of traveling from house to house and singing in exchange for food. Outdoor carol singing became very popular in both England and America during the late 1800s and early 1900s. "Here We Come a-Wassailing" describes the tradition of the waits.

When the Victorians wrote new words to old carols and new songs about Christmas, carols began to reflect a religious theme and began to be used in church services. References to making music abound in Christmas carols asking that pipes, drums, bells and voices be raised in celebration and worship.

Some of our favorite Christmas carols were either written or revised during the Victorian era. We owe the Victorians a debt of gratitude for their contribution to the music that's such an important part of our Christmas celebration today.