# What's your favourite Christmas carol? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 17, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271 "2018-12-17T14:53:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/21 "2018-12-17T21:23:42Z")
“Carol of the Bells” is hands-down my favorite, and in this particular Boston Pops rendition: [Boston Pops w Arthur Fiedler - Carol of the Bells - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmAYK67WDt8) As a kid I almost found it a little spooky, but as a grownup I really love it. I’m just sorry it doesn’t run longer. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/22 "2018-12-17T21:31:33Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > _Adeste Fidelis_. “O Come All ye Faithful” in the original Latin. I memorized it even before I became an altar boy, and I always find it fun to sing at Midnight Mass. I’ll vote for “O Come All ye Faithful” (though in the English ;)) or “Go Tell it on the Mountain” ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/23 "2018-12-17T22:09:00Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > “Carol of the Bells” is hands-down my favorite, and in this particular Boston Pops rendition: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmAYK67WDt8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmAYK67WDt8) This. It’s one of the few pieces of Christmas music I actually like. I’m particularly fond of [TSO’s “Sarajevo” interpretation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHioIlbnS_A), but I like a lot of others, both traditional and nontraditional interpretations. Here’s [Lindsey Stirling’s take](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKkzbbLYPuI). And here is Frank DellaPenna, of Cast in Bronze, [performing it on his portable carillon.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGR4Lj8cpYs) (The audio in the link doesn’t do his carillon justice–it was recorded in the middle of a crowd at a faire.) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/24 "2018-12-17T22:38:21Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > This. It’s one of the few pieces of Christmas music I actually like. I’m particularly fond of [TSO’s “Sarajevo” interpretation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHioIlbnS_A), but I like a lot of others, both traditional and nontraditional interpretations. > > … WHOA! That video is spectacular. TSO sounds kind of Mannheim Steamroller-ish, amirite? (In a good way.) ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/25 "2018-12-18T00:14:11Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > That’s funny, I thought I did say that… > (Note quotation marks around ‘carols’.) > > But they’re still ‘Christmas carols’, as defined by use. No they are NOT. :smack: Your own definition indicates that a “carol” is either a religious folk song or a popular _hymn_. It’s not just anything people sing at Christmas time. There have always been popular Christmas songs that weren’t heavy on the religious imagery; no one thinks of those as “carols”. White Christmas is a Christmas song. Not all Christmas songs are “carols”. I could get Governor Walker from Wisconsin to draw you a Venn diagram to explain it, if you like. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/26 "2018-12-18T00:52:35Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > “Carol of the Bells” is hands-down my favorite, and in this particular Boston Pops rendition: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmAYK67WDt8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmAYK67WDt8) > > As a kid I almost found it a little spooky, but as a grownup I really love it. I’m just sorry it doesn’t run longer. Ok, then try this version: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/rAUb1U3VvYg/hqdefault.jpg "Claymation Christmas Carol of the Bells") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAUb1U3VvYg) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/27 "2018-12-18T00:53:51Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > This. It’s one of the few pieces of Christmas music I actually like. I’m particularly fond of [TSO’s “Sarajevo” interpretation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHioIlbnS_A), but I like a lot of others, both traditional and nontraditional interpretations. I liked the kitties. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/28 "2018-12-18T00:57:19Z")
Another version of [Carol of the Bells,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSUFzC6_fp8) by Pentatonix. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/29 "2018-12-18T01:09:06Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > No they are NOT. :smack: You’re right. Maybe I should have said that many of the ‘carols’ we sing are not religious folk songs or hymns. Oh, wait. [I did](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21383114&postcount=12). ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/30 "2018-12-18T01:20:38Z")
[quote=“DrDeth, post:26, topic:826271”] Ok, then try this version: [/QUOTE] I remember that one. The pun in the introduction still amuses me more than it should. 😃 > [@Chefguy](#): > > I liked the kitties. They turn the adorable up to 11, don’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/31 "2018-12-18T02:02:05Z")
For me it’s a tossup between “O Holy Night” and “What Child is This?” The problem with the latter in my denominations current hymnal is that it has softened up the song, and all three verses have the same chorus “This, this, is Christ the King…” I prefer the original wording for the second verse in particular. _Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians fear for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce Him through The cross be borne for me, for you. Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary._ ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/32 "2018-12-18T03:09:12Z")
I was really pleased this afternoon to hear a lovely version of one of my favorites on the radio, “The Holly and the Ivy”. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/33 "2018-12-18T03:09:59Z")
[The Christmas Amoeba](https://youtu.be/DOeA5DEz3uc?t=630) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/34 "2018-12-18T04:03:47Z")
Carol Evans. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/35 "2018-12-18T04:20:21Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > …I’m particularly fond of [TSO’s “Sarajevo” interpretation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHioIlbnS_A), but I like a lot of others, both traditional and nontraditional interpretations. > > Here’s [Lindsey Stirling’s take](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKkzbbLYPuI). > And here is Frank DellaPenna, of Cast in Bronze, [performing it on his portable carillon.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGR4Lj8cpYs) (The audio in the link doesn’t do his carillon justice–it was recorded in the middle of a crowd at a faire.) I’d heard TSO’s before and like it; the others are odder but still interesting. [quote=“DrDeth, post:26, topic:826271”] Ok, then try this version: [/QUOTE] Looks like the California Raisins took it on! My thanks to you both. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/36 "2018-12-18T04:39:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > You’re right. Maybe I should have said that many of the ‘carols’ we sing are not religious folk songs or hymns. > > Oh, wait. [I did](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21383114&postcount=12). You keep missing the point. The things we sing aren’t carols. They aren’t carols because they don’t meet the definition. And you haven’t offered a definition that would make White Christmas a carol. You just appear to want to call White Christmas (and songs like it) carols because, well, I don’t really know why, because you’ve failed entirely to articulate that. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/37 "2018-12-18T05:47:07Z")
One not mentioned yet that was my favorite was _Angels we Have Heard on High_, mostly because I loved to belt out that looonnnnngggg multi-note Gloria. Glooooooooooooooooooooooia. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/38 "2018-12-18T05:54:32Z")
Silent night. Not the song, though. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/39 "2018-12-18T06:07:16Z")
O Holy Night I always tear up listening to it. It’s a wonderful and inspirational song. Away in a Manger is my 2nd favorite ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271/40 "2018-12-18T06:16:13Z")
Celtic Woman did a wonderful performance of O Holy Night. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cZ-8jYpa1-o/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-A4ACgAOKAgwIABABGHIgUSgvMA8=&rs=AOn4CLClqeIrhEyC6oBWYNOvwab4kUpqRg "Celtic Woman / Chloe Agnew - ''O Holy Night''") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ-8jYpa1-o) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favourite-christmas-carol/826271.md?page=3)