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The Holly and the Ivy Appearing in print in the early 19th Century, this traditional British carol uses foliage as symbols for Christ and the Virgin Mary. The holly resembles the Crown of Thorns that Jesus was forced to wear … Continue readingThe Holly and the Ivy
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm The snow is snowing and the wind it is blowing But I can weather the storm What do I care how much it may storm I’ve got my love to keep me … Continue readingI’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
Pork and Sauerkraut Happy New Year! I can’t think of anything more traditional for New Year’s Day than good ol’ Pork and Sauerkraut! Where I grew up was on the border between the outskirts of Philadelphia and the eastern reaches … Continue readingPork and Sauerkraut
Ring Out, Wild Bells Alfred, Lord Tennyson, wrote an elegy to Arthur Henry Hallam in 1850. His sister’s fiance, Arthur, had died young and he was mourning his passing with the publication of In Memoriam. As with many of his … Continue readingRing Out, Wild Bells
Gloucestershire Wassail In the English countryside, each village and region would have their own traditions regarding wassailing. This version is noted as early as 1813 in the Times Telescope. As described in the song, a band of wassailers would take … Continue readingGloucestershire Wassail
In The Bleak Midwinter In 1872, Scribner’s Monthly published a Christmas poem by Christina Rossetti placing the Nativity in a snowy landscape familiar to most American readers. The poem was set to the music of Gustav Holst in the 1906 … Continue readingIn The Bleak Midwinter
Gaudete The title of this song is from the Latin word for “rejoice”. It is thought to have been composed in the 16th Century. Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete! Tempus adest gratiæ Hoc quod optabamus, Carmina … Continue readingGaudete
Riu Riu Chiu This charming song is an example of a Spanish villancico expressing themes of the Nativity and rotating around Christmastime. Riu, riu, chiu la guarda ribera / Dios guardó el lobo de nuestra cordera / Dios guardó el … Continue readingRiu Riu Chiu
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 Johann Sebastian Bach composed this oratorio for the Christmas season of 1734. It is presented in six parts pertaining to the Christmas story. Part 1 is about the Birth of Christ. Part 2 is the angelic … Continue readingChristmas Oratorio, BWV 248
The Children’s Friend This poem was published anonymously as a booklet in 1821. Clement Clarke Moore drew from the themes and ideas of this poem to craft his own “Visit from Saint Nicholas”. Old Santeclaus with much delight His reindeer … Continue readingThe Children’s Friend