We have a collection of 15 arrangements for A Woodwind Christmas
What traditional Christmas melodies are included in this woodwind medley? Learn!
Christmas songs are an integral part of the holiday season, and there are many interesting facts about them. Here are some miscellaneous facts about Christmas songs:
"Jingle Bells" Origins: "Jingle Bells" is one of the most popular Christmas songs, but it was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. James Lord Pierpont composed it in 1857 for a Thanksgiving Sunday school program.
"Silent Night" Language: "Silent Night" (Stille Nacht) was originally written in German by Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818. Today, it is sung in over 300 languages around the world.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer": This beloved Christmas song was written by Johnny Marks in 1949, based on a story created by Robert L. May in 1939 for a Montgomery Ward promotional booklet. The song's popularity led to an animated TV special in 1964.
Bing Crosby's "White Christmas": Bing Crosby's rendition of "White Christmas" is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies worldwide.
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting): Mel Tormé and Bob Wells wrote "The Christmas Song" on a blistering hot summer day in 1944. They were trying to cool off by thinking about Christmas and wrote one of the most enduring Christmas classics.
"Deck the Halls" and the Welsh Connection: The melody for "Deck the Halls" actually comes from a Welsh New Year's carol called "Nos Galan." The lyrics were added later to make it a Christmas song.
"Feliz Navidad" Simplicity: The song "Feliz Navidad" by José Feliciano is known for its simplicity, with most of the lyrics being "Feliz Navidad" (Merry Christmas) repeated in different languages. Despite its simplicity, it's a favorite for holiday sing-alongs.
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" Record-Breaking: Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" became the first holiday ringtone to be certified double-platinum by the RIAA. It's also one of the best-selling digital singles of all time.
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" Philanthropic Success: The charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid, featuring various British and Irish artists, was released in 1984 to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. It sold over 3 million copies in the UK in its first year and has continued to raise millions for charitable causes.
"Auld Lang Syne" New Year's Connection: While not exclusively a Christmas song, "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung on New Year's Eve to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. The song's title roughly translates to "for old times' sake."
These facts highlight the diversity and cultural significance of Christmas songs, which continue to bring joy and nostalgia during the holiday season.