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| Sunday, 21 December 2003 |
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by Neville Perera Carols are joyful Christmas hymns or songs. Although the origin is not very clear, some say that it came from the word chorus. The earlier Carols were Latin hymns paired with popular tunes. The Germans called them "Wiegenlieder". The French translation was "noel" and in English "carol". In the early days, cribs were placed in the centre of the Church and the people joined hands and danced around the cribs, singing in 'chorus'. The Church Fathers put an end to such dances and songs. In the early 1200's in Europe, cribs were placed near the altar and a more religious atmosphere was given. The very first Christmas 'carol' was heard by the shepherds of Bethlehem nearly 2000 years ago. Since then, men have been trying to imitate these praises to God when Christmas comes around and numerous Christmas carols have been composed. Silent night "Silent Night" was composed by a young priest and organist. Francis Xavier Gruber was the organist at St. Nicholas' Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Father Josef Mohr was a young priest in this church. Love of music made Franz and Father Josef inseparable friends. In the evening of December 23, 1818, Father Josef was very unhappy because they would have to celebrate Christmas Mass without any instrumental music. Mice had eaten holes in the bellows of the organ and noone could be found to repair them. Father Josef was forced to write a carol of their own for midnight Mass with only a guitar for accompaniment! So "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night) made its public debut. Good King Wenceslas "Good King Wenceslas" was created by an English Minister, John Mason Neale, who as fascinated by the story of the saintly Wenceslas and his page, Podiven. The story begins over 1000 years ago in Bohemia, in what is now Czechoslovakia. In 922 A.D., the 18 year old Wenceslas took the throne as Duke Wenceslas. During his reign, there was a famine in Bohemia, and the young ruler found plenty of opportunities to practice charity. In the winter he would cut firewood in the forest by night and deliver it secretly to the needy. The lyrics were set to a borrowed 13th century melody. Hark the Herald Angel Sing "Hark the Herald Angel Sing" was composed by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, While walking across his home and the church on Christmas morning in 1795, the ringing of the Church bells reminded him of the voices of angels as they sang on the first Christmas. "Once in Royal David's City" was written by Francis Alexander, a former Protestant Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland. Adeste Fideles "Adeste Fideles", a Latin hymn was translated into "O Come All Ye Faithful by Fredrick Oakeley. It is believed that this was composed by St. Sonaventur (1221-1274), an associate of St. Francis of Assisi (risi-1226) -ure who in 1223 erected a representation of the stable and manger with a live ox and ass. The other favourite carols and their composers are - "While shepherds watched their flock by night" - Nahum Tate. 18th Century. "O little town of Bethlehem" - Phillips Brook of Boston. "Joy to the world" - G. F. Hendel "We three kings of Orient are" - John Hopkin "Angels we have heard on high" and "the First Noel" French carols. "God rest you merry gentlemen" is an English carol. The others are "Come to the manger" and "Drummer Boy". |
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