I'm an atheist, but I still enjoy various types of music, including the religious variety, as some is quite beautiful. To that end, I posted this a few years ago on Facebook. I braved the nightmare that is the main site today and was able to find it. I hope it brings joy to you.
Now, it's time for some Christmas music history! Some of these are playlists, so just skip what you don't like, I promise, this is not the usual music you hear in shops!
I have a few time periods in mind, but let us begin with the very first Christmas song ever written.
Jesus Refulsit Omnium - Roman Christmas Song - YouTube
youtube.com/watch?v=izRVH2avtz…
And now, for something a bit more modern. Don't expect to hear Elvis on this list, though.
Here are some songs from the eighteenth century! Unfortunately, these are just instrumentals.
18th Century Authentic Christmas Music
youtube.com/watch?v=bwiJ9qsIBN…
On to the Regency! Yay! Sadly, there isn't much available from then. Please feel free to make suggestions.
The Gloucester Wassail/The Holly and the Ivy, Regency Christmas
youtube.com/watch?v=tzv5eGTxvi…
This may or may not be authentic, but it's pleasant. Again, it's instrumental.
Regency Music - Peaceful Christmas
youtube.com/watch?v=ynx3fv7JpI…
This is real, in more ways than one, as the song existed then, and it's being played on a genuine Regency piano!
O come o come Emmanuel played on a Regency period Broadwood square piano
youtube.com/watch?v=iSJwQidimD…
On to the Victorian era. Believe it or not, while a large number of familiar Christmas songs came from then, I can't find a good playlist! Again, if you know of one, please suggest it. While this recording is modern, you can be sure that Victorians would have been very familiar with the arrangements and that many also spent time in the church where this was recorded, probably hearing the same organ, too!
Victorian Carols from St Bartholomew the Great
youtube.com/watch?v=q8GV7NMfy3…
Now, let's turn to my second favourite period next to the Regency, the Edwardian! This extremely special! All of the following was actually recorded then! I have made it a tradition to listen to this every year. Some of the tunes may be familiar, but in several cases, the lyrics may not be. The last one is a real treat for the children and those young at heart!
Vintage Christmas Songs from the 1900's & 1910's Playlist
youtube.com/watch?v=zOBKgQj-qq…
I'm not very familiar with this one.
1900s -1910s Victorian Christmas Music Selection
youtube.com/watch?v=AXflh4s6T9…
This is from two years after King Edward's death, but I had to include it, as it's a lovely version. Note that the link that I originally provided no longer exists, so I had to find another. But here, you can actually see the grammophone!
"Silent Night! Hallowed Night!" Elsie Baker on VV Model XI, 1912.
youtube.com/watch?v=nElAx0MpBs…
Finally, as my friends know, I love Eton College, so I had to include this. It breaks the theme slightly, in that it doesn't belong to a specific time period, but songs from different times are sung, and all in a very traditional manner.
Eton Choir Christmas
youtube.com/playlist?app=deskt…
#ancient #choir #choral #Christmascarols #Christmas #Edwardian #English #EtonCollege #fortepiano #historical #instrumental #Latin #music #phonographs #Regency #Roman #songs #Victorian
Georgiana Brummell
Georgiana Brummell
D.C. May "Froggy"
Elisa Coghlan
Victor Wiebe