Music Book: Carols + CD: "Carols We like to Sing"
This is a timeless treasure chest – the Christmas Carols we love to sing each year. We ran a survey to see which were most popular and the result was decisive. About twelve carols make up the best favourites, and to these we added a few of the next best. (Jingle Bells is in there too.)
Also included are the fascinating stories of how they came to be written.
Full piano plus guitar chords PLUS a CD recording of the collection produced by Rohan Anderson.
And so cheap!
We have sold thousands of this book plus CD – a great favourite.
ALSO – the words for the songs are set out below. They are copyright free – copy and paste to print up your own song sheets.
The Carols are:
1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
2. Away In a Manger
3. The First Nowell
4. Silent Night
5. While Shepherds Watched
6. O Come All Ye Faithful
7. We Three Kings
8. What Child Is This?
9 We Wish You a Merry Christmas
10. Joy to the World
11. Once In Royal David's City
12. Jingle Bells
13. Ding Dong Merrily On High
14. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
15. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
16. As With Gladness
17. Angels from the Realms of Glory
18. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
HERE ARE THE WORDS:
1. HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Key: F
Words: Charles Wesley
Music: Mendelssohn
1. Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King, Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King!
2. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the ever-lasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb! Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King!
3. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings Risen with healing in His wings. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King!
2. AWAY IN A MANGER
Key: F Words: Anonymous
Music: W.J. Kirkpatrick
1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head, The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2. The cattle are lowing, The baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus!
Look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay.
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.
3. THE FIRST NOWELL
Key: D
Words: Anonymous
Music: Sandy's Collection
1. The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay: In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Chorus:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
2. They looked up and saw a star, Shining in the east, beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night.
3. And by the light of that same star, Three wise men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went.
4. This star drew nigh to the north-west O'er Bethlehem it took its rest, And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay.
5. Then entered in those wise men three, Full rev'rently upon their knee, And offered there in His presence Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
6. Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord, That hath made heaven and earth of nought, And with His blood mankind hath bought.
4. SILENT NIGHT
Key: Bb
Words: Joseph Mohr
Music: Franz Gruber
1. Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright, Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Saviour is born. Christ the Saviour is born.
3. Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
5. WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED
Key: F
Words: N. Tate
Music: G. Kirbye
1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around.
2. Fear not! said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind: Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.
3. To you, in David's town, this day Is born, of David's line, A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign:
4. The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands And in a manger laid.
5. Thus spake the seraph; and forth-with Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, and thus Addressed their joyful song:
6. All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good will hence-forth from heaven to men Begin and never cease.
6. O COME All YE FAITHFUL
Key: G
Latin Hymn of the 18th Century
1. O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him Born the King of angels:
Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
2. True God of true God, Light of Light eternal, Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Son of the Father, Begotten, not created:
3. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above,
Glory to God In the highest:
4. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning Jesus, to Thee be glory given, Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing:
7. WE THREE KINGS
Key: Em
John H. Hopkins
1. We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Chorus:
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light.
2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
3. Frankincense to offer have I,
Incease owns a Deity nigh,
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him, God most high.
4. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
5. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and sacrifice; Alleluia, Alleluia, Earth to the heavens reply.
8. WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
Key: Em
Words: William C. Dix
Music: Greensleeves
1. What Child is this, Who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
2. Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading:
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through,
The Cross be borne for me, for you:
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king, to own Him,
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings a lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
9 WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
Key: G
Traditional English West Country
We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year.
Chorus:
Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year.
10. JOY TO THE WORLD
Key D
Word: Isaac Watts
Music: G.F. Handel
1. Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
2. Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. He rules the world with truth and grace;
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, and wonders of His love.
11. ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY
Key: F
Words: C.F. Alexander
Music: H.J. Gauntlett
1. Once in Royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
2. He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all;
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.
3. And through all His wondrous Childhood
He would honour and obey,
Love, and watch the lowly maiden
In whose gentle arms He lay.
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.
4. For He is our childhood's pattern;
Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak and helpless;
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.
5. And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav'n above;
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.
12. JINGLE BELLS
Key: F
James Pierpont
Dashing through the snow,
In a one horse open sleigh,
O'er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way;
Bells on Bobtail ring,
Making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.
Jingle bells,
Jingle bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!
(Repeat last half)
13. DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH
Key: G
Words: G.R. Woodward
Music: Old French Carol
1. Ding dong! merrily on high,
In heaven the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angels singing.
Glo-ria, Hosanna in excelsis!
2. E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "i-o, i-o, i-o",
By priest and people sungen,
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
3. Pray you, dutifully prime
Your Matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your Evetime song, ye singers:
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
14. IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR
Key: F
Words E.H. Sears
Music: Traditional English Air
1. It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,
From heaven's all-gracious King!
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
2. Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lonely plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
3. But with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love song which they bring:
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing.
4. And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow.
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing.
5. For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet bards foretold,
When with the ever-circling years,
Comes round the age of gold.
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendours fling,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.
15. GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN
Key: Em
Traditional English Melody
1. God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
2. From God our heavenly Father
A blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name. (Refrain)
3. The shepherds at these tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
4. And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger
Where oxen fed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling down
Unto the Lord did pray. (Refrain)
5. Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other do deface.
Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
16. AS WITH GLADNESS
Key: G
Words: William C. Dix
Music: C. Kocher
1. As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Ever more be led to Thee.
2. As with joyful steps they sped,
Saviour, to thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before
Thee, whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek the mercy seat.
3. As they offered gifts most rare
At thy cradle rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
4. Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds thy glory hide.
5. In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou, its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Hallelujahs to our King.
17. ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY
Key: G
Words: James Montgomery
Music: French Carol Melody
1. Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye, who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth;
Refrain:
Come and worship,
Christ the new born King.
Come and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King.
2. Shepherds in the field abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light.
(Refrain)
3. Sages leave your contemplations;
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star;
Refrain:
Come and worship,
Christ the newborn King.
Come and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King.
4. Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long with hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Refrain:
Come and worship,
Christ the newborn King.
Come and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King.
18. O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
Key: F
Words: Phillips Brooks
Music: Lewis Redner
1.O little town of Bethlehem!
How still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
2. For Christ is born of Mary;
And gather'd all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
3. How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heav'n.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell,
O come to us, abide with us:
Our Lord Emmanuel.