Global Christmas Carols

“This is the greatest Polish carol. It is the most solemn Christmas carol, sung during the Christmas Eve supper. I want to share it because it is ‘the queen of Polish christmas carolls’. Her sounds evoke in me many pleasant memories related to the family.” Dawid

“It’s in minor; it’s not so well known since it permanently is overshadowed by the ‘other’ ‘O Tannenbaum’; it’s very simple and yet haunting at the same time; I got goosebumps the first time I heard it since I wasn’t expecting what I heard. For me this precious little carol about a Christmas tree stand out amongst the billion of tree-themed carols we have since it isn’t trying to be more than what it is while rooting so deeply.” Bianca

“I first heard the song in 2007. For me as a white person in South Africa, where we were trying to integrate communities in the Christian church and yet so often failed to understand that not everyone sees or can relate to Jesus as the pre-Raphaelite painting that we had been brought up with as children, the song was relevant to me at that time and has remained so as a reminder to respect and consider the views of a diverse community.” Yvonne

“I’ve been teaching my daughter Makaton and the importance of learning to sign. We started with ‘Silent Night’ as it was one of the more simple songs to sign. The great thing about Makaton is you sing and sign at the same time. It not only helps the hard of hearing but non-verbal children and adults too.

This song also brings back memories of carol singing in hospital wards with my mum from a young age. Mum still works in the NHS and is a part of the Stay At Home Choir. This year has been incredibly tough for her. She’s a theatre nurse and when non emergency operations were cancelled, she was moved to a different department looking after the most vulnerable when their families couldn’t be with them. She covered shifts for those isolating and took it all in her stride and still does.” Chelsea

“This song in just the embodiment of Christmas for me. Irving Berlin composed it for the 1942 film ‘Holiday Inn’ and it went on to sell more than 50 million copies. I’m not alone!” Mike

“It is just one of my favourite Christmas songs – there are many. This one is a glee, sung either for Christmas or for Easter. It is one of the carols traditionally sung in Yorkshire pubs in several parts of Sheffield (The Sheffield Carols) in the months of November and December – usually with a great deal of gusto.

It features on one of my various favourite Christmas CDs by the group Coope Boyes and Simpson, an acapella male trio who were highly thought of for the quality of their singing (and diction). They were known for their work in Belgium associated with songs of and about the First World War. At Christmas they frequently teamed up with wives and sisters-in-law to form the sextet which was eventually known as Voices at the Door. Their Christmas CDs often form a backdrop to my seasonal listening.” Irene

“This cherished Christmas song has been translated into countless languages. I love singing it in Arabic and in English. It warms my heart and brings back fond Christmas musical memories. I decided this year to teach it to the a-cappella group I direct, Beirut Vocal Point.” Janmarie

“This is a traditional song that children sing from door to door in order to announce the birth of Christ. In return, they are given treats or money. There are versions of this song all over Cyprus and Greece, each one representing an area or an island, and each with its own local musical colour. This is the one I grew up singing, representing the local music of my homeland, Cyprus.” Elpida

“This song is in remembrance of the past at home. To my own mother who brought music into our lives. My father was a pastor and read the Christmas story in the evening, on Christmas Day, by the fireplace. And after that my mother played the piano or put on an old record.” Albertine

“Although I am not religious, I received secondary education in a Protestant school set up by the London Missionary Society in Hong Kong. This carol is different from others in that it is original Chinese music and lyrics, not translated. We sang it in Cantonese during school assemblies and it was always our favourite every Christmas.” Kitty

“Since I was a child, I sing in choirs this traditional Argentine song.” Carolina

“My mother sang it to us when we were kids. It is a very popular Italian song for Christmas.” Isabel

“I have sung it since I was a child at Lucia and at Christmas. It is sometimes sung in several parts, but is also a Swedish Psalm. Ward Swingle has made a version of it! It is very much Swedish!” Elisabeth

“This is the latest release from the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, the choir which both of us sang in when we were students. It’s a fun modern twist on the classic ‘Jingle Bells’.” Jamie and Tori