# What's your favourite Christmas carol/song of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 4, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074 "2004-12-04T16:55:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/41 "2004-12-06T06:53:15Z")
**Angels we have Heard on High** is a favorite that hasn’t been mentioned yet. Then there’s **Christmastime is Here** as sung on the Charlie Brown Christmas CD by the Vince Gueraldi Trio. In fact, that whole CD is wonderful. Finally, I like **Christmas in Prison** by _John Prine_: > [@](#): > > It was Christmas in prison, > And the food was real good, > We had turkey, and pistols, > Carved out of wood… ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/42 "2004-12-06T06:54:26Z")
Guaraldi. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/43 "2004-12-06T07:22:46Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > I’ve always liked" O Come, O Come Emmanuel." It’s kind of dark and solemn, but it’s about what Christmas really is-- the messiah is supposed to redeem the downtrodden Israel. Maybe this says too much about my attitude towards the holidays… Indeed! And of course it’s really more of an Advent song – incidentally, I find it highly disappointing that the choir at my church has thus far opted not to sing it this Advent (as the musical director seems to have a marked antipathy to traditional music, unfortunately – music being the one area where I might justly be called conservative). I like “The Coventry Carol” too, never mind that it’s a rather melancholy song about the Slaughter of the Innocents – it’s beautiful, and it’s often associated with the fifteenth-century mystery cycles, for which I have an abiding affection. I am also a great proponent of “Lo, how a rose e’er blooming” (you can hear it [here](http://www.csupomona.edu/~jcclark/emusic/carol.html) under the title “Es ist ein’ Rös’ entsprungen”). ---
**Author:** ![Bernard\_Marx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@Bernard\_Marx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bernard_Marx)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/44 "2004-12-06T13:34:39Z")
Another vote for _Coventry Carol_. I’m also a big fan of [Noel Nouvelet](http://www.gardenofsong.com/noelnouvelet.html) which is French for something or other. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/45 "2004-12-06T14:14:04Z")
I Don’t Remember Christmas: I don’t remember Easter. I do not remember fall. So it’s possible December Never happened after all. Did we trim the tree together? I can’t get the image through. Cause I don’t remember Christmas And I don’t remember you. ---
**Author:** ![hocow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hocow/32/4112_2.png) [@hocow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hocow)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/46 "2004-12-06T14:20:18Z")
> [@LifeOnWry](#): > > “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” is THE song that officially opens Christmas season in my house. “Star To Follow” is the multi-layered choral bit on that album, and it’s the song that gets my daughter in the Christmas spirit. Funny, this is the same situation in my house. “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” is my mom’s official song of the season, whereas “Star to follow” is mine. I’m also a sucker for “O Holy Night” as well. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/47 "2004-12-06T15:13:51Z")
I also have to second the person who mentioned Vince Guaraldi. Most Christmas carols depress the hell out of me, but when I hear “Linus & Lucy” or “Skating,” I can’t help but smile. Brings back very happy childhood memories. In fact, I’m smiling right now just thinking about it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/48 "2004-12-06T15:24:22Z")
For sheer musical grandeur, “Carol of the Bells” by TSO always rocks the season here, but IMHO, the song that best exemplifies the meaning of the holiday is “The Christians and the Pagans” by Dar Williams. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/49 "2004-12-06T15:29:02Z")
Have always been partial to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Also, the song Sting sang on one of the _Very Special Christmas_ compilations, “Gabriel’s Message”? Amazing, haunting song. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/50 "2004-12-06T15:35:29Z")
Oh and for my favorite Christmas carol (as opposed to song) I would probably nominate “Good King Wenceslas”. I just love that song. I’m probably alone in that. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/51 "2004-12-06T15:38:08Z")
My fave traditional carol would have to be _The Coventry Carol_, followed closely by _Une Flambeau, Jeanette Isabelle_ and _O Holy Night_. More contemporary faves would be _Christmas Wrapping_ and _Won’t Be Home for Christmas_ by Blink 182 ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/52 "2004-12-06T15:39:10Z")
Chalk me up for \*O Holy Night \* and _Carol of the Bells_, but add _I Wonder As I Wander_. Just a beautiful song. But it’s not Christmas unless I hear Bob and Doug McKenzie. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/53 "2004-12-06T15:40:02Z")
Another “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” fan, here. I have a version of it that is a trumpet duet. The harmonies are so beautiful it gives me the chills. Also a fan of “Coventry Carol,” “O Holy Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “What Child is This?” and “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella.” What can I say? I love Christmas music. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/54 "2004-12-06T15:56:17Z")
_The Christmas Song_ sung by Nat King Cole. We had it on vinyl when I was growing up, and now nothing in the world makes it feel more like Christmas than that song. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/55 "2004-12-06T20:44:40Z")
If I have to choose one, I suppose it’s “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. But I like many other carols such as “Hark, the Herald Angels” and “Good King Wenceslas”. To me they’re all an essential part of Christmas. They must be sung in traditional arrangements for 4-part chorus, preferably a capella. But I do allow some exceptions, one being Joan Sutherland’s performance of “What Child Is This” in a beautiful arrangement for full orchestra. I also like Handel’s “Messiah”. My favorite part of it for this season is “For Unto Us a Child Is Born”. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/56 "2004-12-06T21:06:18Z")
For me I always have a soft spot for [Gaudete](http://www.csupomona.edu/~jcclark/emusic/lyrics/gaudete.html) a beautiful renaissanse hymn. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/57 "2004-12-06T21:11:33Z")
I love Charo’s version of “Silent Night,” if only for the part where she tells us to “Slip in heavenly piss.” ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/58 "2004-12-07T02:23:42Z")
jeanette isabella… i love the chorus on that one. one i sing not just at christmas but anytime i’m walking along when it is snowing, esp. at night is: still, still, still. veni, veni, is a good one. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/59 "2004-12-07T02:40:54Z")
i am also an "oh, holy night’ fan, the idea of jessica simpson singing anything, let alone my favorite christmas carol sets my teeth on edge. my two favorite recordings of “oh, holy night” are by mahalia jackson and luciano pavarotti. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074/60 "2004-12-07T02:55:53Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > For me I always have a soft spot for [Gaudete](http://www.csupomona.edu/~jcclark/emusic/lyrics/gaudete.html) a beautiful renaissanse hymn. I agree with **Bippy**. I also rather like the Australian carol, [The Three Drovers](http://www.geocities.com/cigneto/thctxt/en/acrossthe1.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol-song-of-all-time/278074.md?page=4)