Month: November 2020

“O Holy Night” (also known as “Cantique de Noël”) is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem “Minuit, chrétiens” (Midnight, Christians) by poet Placide Cappeau (1808–1877). The carol reflects on the birth of Jesus as humanity’s redemption.

“The First Noel” is of Cornish origin. Its current form was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols (1833), both of which were edited by William Sandys and arranged, edited and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert for Hymns and Carols of God.

Arthur Warrell is accredited for the wide popularity of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” In 1935, he arranged the tune for his group “Bristol University Madrigal Singers” and subsequently performed it at a concert on the 6th of December.