This list of Christmas carols is organized by

country, language or culture of origin. Originally, a

"Christmas carol" referred to a piece of vocal

music in carol form whose lyrics centre on the

theme of Christmas or the Christmas season.

Many traditional Christmas carols focus on the

Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, while

others celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas

that range from 25 December to 5 January. As a

result, many Christmas Carols can be related to St

Stephen's Day (26 December), St John's Day (27

December), Feast of Holy Innocents (28

December), St Sylvester's Day (31 December),

and the Epiphany. Examples of this are We Three

Kings (an Epiphany song), and Good King

Wenceslas (a carol for St. Stephen's Day).

Nonetheless, some Christmas Carols, both

religious and secular, now regarded as Christmas

songs have become associated with the Christmas

season even though the lyrics may not specifically

refer to Christmas – for example, Deck the Halls

(no religious references) and O Come, O Come,

Emmanuel (an Advent chant). Other Christmas

songs focus on more secular Christmas themes,

such as winter scenes, family gatherings, and

Santa Claus (Jingle Bells, O Christmas Tree,

Home for the Holidays, Jolly Old St. Nicholas,

etc.).
The popularity of the carol has led to many

variants in the words, which are discussed in detail

below. The following are taken from Kirkpatrick

(1895):

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he

lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.

I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky,

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And take us to heaven to live with thee there.

"Children, Go Where I Send Thee" is a traditional

African-American spiritual song,[1] as well as a

cumulative song. This song is also known as "The

Holy Baby" or "Born in Bethlehem." There are

many versions of this song, each giving a Biblical

meaning to the numbers mentioned.

One for the little bitty baby (Jesus); other versions

add 'wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a

manger, born, born, born in Bethlehem'.

Two for Paul and Silas.

Three for the three men riding (Biblical Magi); or

the Hebrew children, in some versions.

Four for the four knocking on the door (Four

Evangelists); or the gospel writers, in some

versions.

Five for the Five that came back alive; or Gospel

preachers; or the bread they did divide, in some

versions.

Six for the six that never got fixed; or the days

when the world was fixed, in some versions.

Seven for the seven that all went to Heaven; or the

day God laid down his head, in some versions.

Eight for the eight that stood at the gate; or the

eight the flood couldn't take, in some versions.

Nine for the nine that stood in the line; or the nine

for the angel choirs divine, in some versions.

Ten for the Ten Commandments.

Eleven for the eleven deriders; or the 'leven of 'em

singin' in heaven, in some versions.

Twelve for the Twelve Apostles; or the twelve

disciples, in some versions.

The following are the original words of

Longfellow's poem:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households born

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men."