WHAT IS A CAROL

RHYTHMIC THERAPY
27-12-2016

*WHAT IS A CAROL*

A carol doesn't necessarily mean a Christmas song; but when most people use the word carol today, they are referring to a strophic song associated with Christmas. The English Oxford Living Dictionary writes that a carol is a religious folk song or popular hymn. A Christmas Carol, Easter Carol and Advent Carol are all examples of 'carols'.

The word carol or carole is a medieval word of French and Anglo-Norman origin, believed to mean a dance song or a circle dance accompanied by singing. Broadly defined, carols express religious joy... Carols are also used to describe late medieval English songs on various subjects with a verse and refrain.

Carols were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago, but these were not Christmas Carols. They were pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations as people danced round stone circles. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, usually taking place around the 22nd December.

The word Carol actually means dance or a song of praise and joy! Carols used to be written and sung during all four seasons, but only the tradition of singing them at Christmas has really survived.

The earliest carol was written in 1410. The carol was about Mary and Jesus meeting different people in Bethlehem. Most Carols from this time and the Elizabethan period are untrue stories, very loosely based on the Christmas story, about the holy family and were seen as entertaining rather than religious songs. They were usually sung in homes rather than in churches!

Traveling singers or Minstrels started singing these carols and the words were changed for the local people; eventually, carols found their way into the church.

New carols services were created and became popular, as did the custom of singing carols in the streets and homes. The most famous type of Carol Service  is a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, where carols and Bible readings tell the Christmas Story.

Ref:
James Cooper (2016)
Espie Estrella (2016)
Robert M. Copeland (2016)

Kingsley J.E.K Acheampong
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