A Bluestocking Knits

One of the most achingly beautiful songs of all time, this is Tomás Luis de Victoria's "O Magnum Mysterium" sung by The Sixteen. 

One of my most favorite of American carols, the early-19th-century Appalachian "Brightest and Best", set to words by the English bishop Reginald Heber.  Because it's a folk hymn, there are many versions around — this one is not quite the same, but close to the melody of the one performed here.  I've sung an arrangement by my choir director that is also wonderful.  The open harmonies and the slight drone in the low parts just get me every time. 

I love the idea that you could just get together in someone's living room and sing this!

Here is a version of this melody from Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians as Sung by Jean Ritchie —

and one arranged for hammer dulcimer, if you're lucky enough to have one lying about.

What is Christmas without choirboys in pleated collars?!  Here are the boys of the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir singing "The Carol of the Bells" and larking about a bit behind the scenes!

"Up Good Christen Folk and Listen", sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.  I included this song the last time but the video has disappeared, so I'll post another one, as this isn't a particularly well-known carol, especially in the US, but I think it deserves to be.  It's a bonus, therefore, that this one has the sheet music on it!

"A Spotless Rose" by Herbert Howells, performed by the Washington (DC) Master Chorale.  A lovely rendition of a lovely, intimate carol.  I didn't really get this song at first, but it has really grown on me.  I love the way the harmonies move so gently but continually, like a candle flame.

"The Wexford Carol" performed by Alison Krauss and Yo-Yo Ma.  I just wish I could sing this at home with Yo-Yo Ma!

"Gaudete" performed live by Steeleye Span.  Again, the version I know best is the one performed by the Boston Camerata, but this has a great folksy feel to it, like singing at home.

The "Echo Carol", performed by the Clifton Cathedral Choir, Bristol.  This song, sometimes also known as "While By My Sheep I Watched at Night" is one of my favorites because I love the echo, especially when it is done, as here, by a little quartet off in the distance!  This one has different words from the one I know, but the tune is the same.

Well, I was all set to post a version of this song by The Boston Camerata, really one of my all-time favorites, but how could I resist The Monkees?!  It's like, "hey, guys, let's get together and sing Christmas carols!"

I had a lot of fun doing a Twelve Days of Christmas Carols a few years ago, so thought I'd do it again this year.  First is "The King" performed by Wench Work (!) which is Betsy Smith and Judy Thorn.

This song is also known as "Joy, Health, Love, and Peace" from the first line, and "The Wren", because it is an old wren-boys carol, from the British tradition of capturing a wren, which is the symbol of winter, and carrying it from door to door asking for gifts.

This is a great carol for singing at home, since the harmonies are fun and you can add some simple percussion or cymbals in as you like!  Loreena McKennit sings a version which adds a third part, a descant — this is on her album "To Drive the Cold Winter Away".