'Tis the season to feel jolly! It doesn't always have to be the humorous Christmas music.
A Little History
Christmas music began as chants and hymns in Latin sung during church. Christmas music didn't start to move outside of the church until the 13th Century with the formation of carols, which were written in the vernacular, or the spoken language of the people as opposed to Latin. Carols are songs with religious topics but sung and performed in a festive or lively manner. Christmas music in English first appeared in 1426 by the hands of a priest named John Audelay. Here we have the birth of going door to door singing Christmas carols. British Parliament actually banned Christmas carols in the 17th Century under the rule of Oliver Cromwell, saying they were a pagan tradition and sinful. Throughout the next few centuries, American and European Puritans went through periods of time when they would disapprove of the celebration of Christmas. Writing and singing Christmas carols began to gain popularity again in the 18th Century and still continues today.
It seems just about every musician or band out there has a Christmas album. Here are some of the top artists singing their favorite holiday tunes, along with some new ones.
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