When we talk of Christmas carols we're most often referring to traditional songs sung in celebration of the birth of Christ. And many of the most famous Carols (English) - or Noëls (French), or Weihnachtslieder (German), or Villancicos (Spain), and even Kolędy (Poland) - are religious in nature. However, at some point in the 19th century songs began to appear that celebrated the winter holiday without any specific reference to the birth of Jesus, the star in the east, or even shepherds and their flocks. Here's a list of some of the most famous early non-religious Christmas "songs":
- O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) (German / tune: 16th century; words: 19th cent)
- Gloucestershire Wassail (traditional English; at least 1790s)
- Here We Come A-Wassailing (traditional English; at least 19th century)
- Twelve Days of Christmas (traditional English)
- Jingle Bells (1850 by James Lord Pierpont of Medford, Massachusetts)
- Deck the Halls (English / 16th century melody; text: 1862)
- Up on the Housetop (American / 1864 by Benjamin Hanby)
- Jolly Old St. Nicholas (American / words, 1865; music, 1874)
And as we can see, the last couple of songs acknowledge the less overtly religious figure of Saint Nicholas (morphing through Sinterklaas (Dutch) to Santa Claus) who was becoming more and more an integral part of the Christmas holiday celebration.
The year 1934, however, was a turning point in the evolution of the non-religious popular Christmas song. In that year, two songs appeared that have become classics of the holiday season, being covered by many, many singers who wanted to put their mark on the winter holiday musical experience.
Winter Wonderland was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard Bernhard Smith, and first recorded by Richard Himber and his Ritz-Carlton Orchestra, with vocalist Joey Nash. It has since been covered by over 200 different artists.
Winter Wonderland - Richard Himber (1934)
Two other recording that same year already show the popularity of this Christmas classic . . .
Winter Wonderland - Ted Weems (1934)
Winter Wonderland - Guy Lombardo (1934)
Winter Wonderland - The Andrews Sisters (1946)
The other song that went on to become a Christmas classic is Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, it was first recorded by Harry Reser and His Band, with vocalist Tom Stacks. When it was covered by Eddie Cantor on his radio show in November 1934 it became a hit; within 24 hours, 500,000 copies of sheet music and more than 30,000 records were sold. Another version by George Hall and His Orchestra, with vocalist Sonny Schuyler (for Bluebird Records) was very popular in 1934 and reached the various charts of the day. Like Winter Wonderland, Santa Claus is Coming to Town has been recorded by over 200 artists.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town - Harry Reser (1934)
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town - Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters (1943)
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town - Frank Sinatra and Seal (1948/2017)
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