~ Caroling, Caroling ~

Caroling began as a custom in ancient England where the less fortunate people would travel from house to house and would sing in exchange for a hot meal. In the late 1800's, caroling became a popular Christmas tradition with all Victorians, young and old, less fortunate and wealthy alike. They truly loved music and singing and took great pleasure in spreading Christmas cheer through carols.



Many of the Christmas carols that we sing today, were written during the Victorian era.


Popular Victorian Christmas Carols


"I heard the bells on Christmas Day"
- lyrics written in 1864 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- melody by John Baptiste Calkan


"Silent Night"
- written in 1820 by Joseph Mohr
- melody by Franz Gruber

"Away in a manger"
- published anonamously in 1885
- melody by James Ramsay Murray


"Deck the halls"
- written during the 16th century


"It came upon the midnight clear"
- written in 1849 by Edmund H. Sears
- melody by Richard S. Willis


"Jingle Bells"
- written in 1857 by James S. Pierpont


"Joy to the world"
- written in 1719 by Isaac Watts


"O come all ye faithful"
- written in 1740 by John Francis Wade


"Hark! The herald angels sing"
- written in 1739 by Charles Wesley
- melody by Felix Mendelssohn


"O Holy Night"
- written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau
- melody by Adolphe Adam


"Good Kind Wenceslas"
- written in the mid-1800's by John M. Neale


"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
- written during the 16th century. Author unknown
- The version we know today, arose during the Victorian era.


"O Little Town Of Bethlehem"
- written in 1868 by Philip Brooks
- melody by Lewis H. Redner


"We three kings"
- written in 1857 by Dr. John H. Hopkins


"What Child Is This?"
- written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix





HOME