Harmony beyond borders!
Exploring Christmas carols from around the world!
It is known that music bridges cultures from ancient times, and of course this applies to Christmas music as well. The sounds of Christmas have been translated all over the world, with each country having its own songs that reflect the culture of its people...
But which countries sing Christmas carols?
Christmas is primarily a religious holiday, marking the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity. However, it is also a broader cultural celebration, observed in 160 countries worldwide - both by Christians and non-Christians.
As a result, Christmas carols are heard in many countries, such as England, Ireland, and Wales, the United States and Canada, countries in South America, many European countries like Germany, Spain, Croatia, and the Czech Republic, Russia, and African nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Malawi.
Ireland - Wexford Carol
The Wexford Carol, sometimes known by its first line "Good people all this Christmas time", is one of the oldest surviving Christmas carols in the European tradition. It dates back to the 12th century in County Wexford! And, like so many carols, it is about the birth of Christ. There are many traditions associated with the song, such as only men being allowed to sing it due to its religious content - women had to wait until the 1990s to be allowed to participate.
Wales - Suo Gân (Lullaby)
"Sleep child upon my bosom,It is cosy and warm..." Beyond the borders with England, Welsh singers have several beautiful carols. Among the traditional songs sung during the Christmas season is this wonderful lullaby, the melody of which is also used for Christmas hymns like "As the Winter Days Grow Longer" and "Christ Before Us".
Canada - The Huron Carol
Originating from Canada, the "Huron Carol" has a way of connecting cultures. The "Huron Carol," considered Canada's oldest Christmas song, is attributed to author Jean de Brébeuf, a member of the French Jesuit settlement in Ontario known as Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. The lyrics were written in the language of the indigenous American tribe, the Wyandot. Like many Christmas carols, the "Huron" vividly describes the birth of Jesus, evoking vivid imagery such as: 'Twas in the moon of
Venezuela - El Burrito de Belén
In the country of South America, Venezuela, "El Burrito de Belén" is a classic Christmas song that is more modern compared to other songs on this list. Written in 1972 by popular Venezuelan singer Hugo Blanco and initially recorded by Simón Díaz, "El Burrito de Belen" translates to "The Little Donkey from Bethlehem". The word "Belen" is the Spanish word for Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, and the lyrics tell the story of someone traveling with a donkey to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus. The most popular version of the song was recorded by the Children's Choir of Venezuela in 1972 and has since become a classic holiday song in the country.
Philippines - Pasko Na Naman (It's Christmas Again)
"It's Christmas Time Again" is one of the most popular Christmas songs in the Philippines, composed by Felipe Padilla de Leon and arranged by George Hernandez. "It's Christmas again, how quickly time passes, last Christmas seems like yesterday...", emphasizes the beautiful song.
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