We all know well of the classics that get played yearly from Frank Sinatra, The Pogues, Bing Crosby and....Wizzard. Before this generation though, what were the 'yearly Christmas songs'?
hi, this question is a little broad right now: are you asking about Christmas songs in, say, the late 19th century in the USA and Britain, or just anywhere for hundreds of years? (hint: pick something similar to the first one)
There are many Christmas songs in English which were written before 1900, and are still sung (or played) today. (There are many more that are rarely still heard.)
They were generally more religious than more recent popular Christmas songs.
Here is a selection of Christmas songs from before 1900 which are still common today (I’m sure I’ve missed some.)
“Good Christian Men Rejoice”, 1328
“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”, at least by 1700
“Joy to the World”, 1719
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” 1739
“O Come All Ye Faithful”, 1751
“The Holly and the Ivy”, from at least 1814, though probably much earlier.
“Angels From the Realms of Glory”, 1815
“Silent Night”, 1818
“The First Noel”, 1823
“O Christmas Tree”, 1824
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” 1833
“I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In”, 1833
“O Holy Night”, 1847
“Once in Royal David’s City”, 1848
“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”, 1849
“Good King Wenceslas”, 1853
“We Three Kings of Orient Are”, 1857
“Angels We Have Heard On High”, 1862
“Deck the Halls”, 1862
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”, 1868
“Away in a Manger”, 1885