15-Minute History Low Songs, Holy Songs
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Dec 22, 2025 Explore the intriguing histories of beloved Christmas carols. Discover the working-class origins of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and why religious leaders worried about their non-pious roots. Uncover the tale of 'The First Noel' and its standardization during Victorian times. Delve into 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and its Jacobite theories. Hear about the creation of 'O Holy Night' and its connection to abolitionists. Journey through how carols transitioned from everyday life to the grandeur of cathedrals.
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Carols Born Among The People
- Christmas carols often originated among ordinary people rather than elite institutions.
- John Streeter shows "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" survived because it belonged to common folk who sung it in streets and taverns.
Oral Tradition To Victorian Standardization
- Oral tradition shaped many carols, causing variations in lyrics and melody across regions.
- Victorian collectors standardized versions like "The First Noel" to preserve local songs for national audiences.
Adeste Fideles In Exile
- John Streeter recounts English Catholics in Douai singing Adeste Fideles in Latin during the 18th century.
- He mentions John Francis Wade's role in copying the carol and its spread among Catholic exiles.
