The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-21
Stories of The
Christmas Carols
Prepared for Community Service by
Pro-. Peter w. Dykema, Uni
Versity of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wis.

Christmas Carols is a term used to de-
scribe a large variety of songs which are
TO be used during the Christmas season.
They are of two main typeS-the religious
and the cOnvivial: the one celebrating the
birth of Jesus; the other exalting mirth
and feasting. Only lately has much atten-
ton been given to this material by serious
musicians. During the 18th century the
carol literature was of the humblest kind
Such material as was available was
handed on by tradition. Many of the
older ones have doubtless been entirely
lost and many that we now hear have
been considerably modernized. Davis
Gilbert seems to have been the first per-
son who attempted to fix these vanishing
memories of the past.
The Reformer publishes herewith the
9th of a list of 10 of the best Christmas
Carols which are to be used in Brattle-
boro during the Christmas season under
the inspiration of Community Service:
THE FIRST NOVEL;
Many words contain complete stories
in themselves. NOVEL; as an English
England 800 years ago and the strong in
fluence of the French language which fol-
lowed it. \ large part of our English
speech comes directly from the French.
Sometimes, as with this word, We change
the spelling when the original spelling
would not. with US, suggest the desired
sound. The French Noel" which de-
mands two syliables. might with most
English speaking people be pronounced
as one syllable. To avoid this, a ''w''
was inserted, and, to make the second
syllable look more English, an ''l' was
added, thus Noel became 'NOwellt
SO we find in one word traces of a Ian
guage development which was spread
over many yeara-prObably century or
The French word Noel" moreover, has
another story to tell. 1t comes from the
Latin "Natalis," meaning birth. The old
Latin sentence 'IIodie Christus Natus
Noel was birthday. By frequent use 1t
was made to refer to the birthday of
Jesus, and then TO a song which told about
the birthday of jesus. Hence Noel,
in French means, besides the birthday of
Jesus. both Christmas carol and
Christmas greeting, Noel Noel :! IS thus
the French salutatiOn and when coupled
with "Joyeux" to make "JoyeuX Noel
it means Joyous or Merry Christmas.
This particular Noel" or Christmas
song first appeared in print in 1898. but
it had been sung long before that. 1t is
one of the ancient medieval carols and IS
probably about 400 years old. The poetry
present the New Testament story in
rhgmc-thus making it easy to remember
but thoroughly sincere and deyout. The
music is likewise simple-being practic-
ally one little strain sung three times
but it is so vigorous, so joyous. 50 well
adapted TO full-lunged, hearty singing. in
doors and out that after 400 years it Is
fresh and virile. with the prospect of an
indefinite life ahead of it.
l.
The first Novel; the angel did say
Was TO certain poor shcperds in fields as
they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their
On a cold winters night that was so
deep.
(After each verse;
NOVEL;. Novel; Novel;. Novel;,
Born is the King of Israel
=
They looked up and saw q star
Shining in the east beyond them far.
And to the earth it gave great light.
And 50 It continued both day and night.
..
This star drew nigh to the northwest.
Der Bethlehem il took its rest,
And there il did both stop and stay.
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
t.
Then enter'd in there wise men three,
Full rcv'rently upon their knee.
And Offer'd there in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Traditional.
Next Carol: God Rest You Merry,
Gentlemen.