Christmas Music Trivia

1. Bing Crosby had much success both on screen and in the music studio. His version of "White Christmas" has to be one of his crowning achievements, but he didn't write the song. Who did?

From Quiz White Christmas

Answer: Irving Berlin

There seems to be a debate about where Berlin wrote the song. Some say he wrote it while staying in warm California weather. Others say it was written in New York. Berlin often took many drafts of his songs before completing them, so it may be possible it was composed in California, but finished in New York. He apparently thought this would be a hit song, telling his secretary that it was "the best song anyone ever wrote."

From Quiz Christmas Covers for the Ages

Answer: Joy to the World

In Jimi Hendrix's recording sessions later dubbed "Sessions: And You'll Never Hear...Surf Music Again" that were released, he performs a rendition of "Little Drummer Boy", "Silent Night", and "Auld Lang Syne" with his guitar and accompanying instruments that needs no vocals. Jimi makes his guitar croon the lyrics of these well-known Christmas and holiday tunes.

From Quiz Christmas Songs by Bridge

Answer: Christmas Time Is Here

Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson wrote "Christmas Time Is Here" for the beloved television special "A Charlie Brown Christmas" that debuted on December 9, 1965.

From Quiz Christmas Carols at the Chalet School

Answer: Czech Republic

'Hajej, Nynjej' is also known as 'Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep' (the English lyrics are a loose translation by Percy Dearmer). The Christmas play in 'The Chalet School and Barbara' also features a Czech carol called 'Rocking', which is presumably the same one. 'Hajej, Nynjej' is thought to have originated somewhere between the 13th and 15th centuries, and has been covered by Julie Andrews as 'Rocking'. The melody bears some similarities to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.

From Quiz Kankurette's Alternative Christmas Playlist

Answer: The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

Admittedly, this song is one of the more obvious choices on the playlist as it does get a lot of airplay around Christmas in the UK, but it is one of my favourite songs of all time. Like 'Thousands Are Sailing', another track on the Pogues' ,'If I Should Fall from Grace with G-d', the song is about Irish emigrants to the USA. After Kirsty MacColl's death in 2000, the Pogues have performed it live with other female singers, such as Anna Finer - daughter of Pogues' banjo player Jem Finer - Georgian singer Katie Melua, and Welsh singer and DJ Cerys Matthews. Some of the ruder lyrics have been censored on TV and radio, with one particular controversial line featuring a homophobic slur being changed to 'you're cheap and you're haggard' by MacColl on one TV performance. (The Pet Shop Boys, incidentally, beat the Pogues to the Christmas Number One in 1987, though it was with 'Always on My Mind' and not 'What Have I Done to Deserve This?', their duet with Dusty Springfield.)

From Quiz Christmas Songs In Other Words

Answer: It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" was written in 1951 by Meredith Willson. Willson wrote the song while he was staying in Yarmouth's Grand Hotel in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The words "Grand Hotel" are in the song.

From Quiz Some of Our Favorite Christmas Carols

Answer: after the word Merry

'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen' is one of the oldest carols known to exist, dating back to the 16th century or even earlier. In the Middle English, the words themselves had a different meaning than they do today, at least slightly. For example, the word "rest" meant something akin to "cause to remain" or simply "to keep". The word "merry" would have meant "mighty", "bountiful" or even "prosperous". Thus, it modern English, the comma would make sense as it might best be translated as "God Keep You Mighty, Gentlemen" or with a meaning to that effect. Here are the words to 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen'. "God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember, Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy In Bethlehem, in Israel, This blessed Babe was born And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn The which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy From God our Heavenly Father A blessed Angel came; And unto certain Shepherds Brought tidings of the same: How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy "Fear not then," said the Angel, "Let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of a pure Virgin bright, To free all those who trust in Him From Satan's power and might." O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm and wind: And went to Bethlehem straightway The Son of God to find. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy And when they came to Bethlehem Where our dear Saviour lay, They found Him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay; His Mother Mary kneeling down, Unto the Lord did pray. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy." Question by Logcrawler

From Quiz Songs for the Holiday Season

Answer: Roomful of Blues

"Roomful of Christmas" is a 1997 album by the band Roomful of Blues. A cover of Lloyd Glenn's "Christmas Celebration" is the first track on the album, and it closes with Lowell Fulson's "I Want to Spend Christmas With You". Between those two songs the band mostly covers more traditional holiday tunes like "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". If you like blues and big band sounds this is a good album try for some holiday season variety. Roomful of Blues was originally founded by Duke Robillard and Al Copley in 1967. While band members have changed the group has stayed active for more than 45 years. Featuring a tight swing and big band sound Roomful of Blues has been nominated for numerous Grammy awards. At the Blues Music Awards in 2005 they received the award for Blues Band of the Year. You can also hear Roomful of Blues on the 2009 album "Alligator Records Genuine Houserockin' Christmas" performing "Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues". A few other songs from that album are listed below. Coco Montoya - "A Bluesman's Christmas" Shemekia Copeland - "Stay a Little Longer, Santa" Little Charlie and The Nightcats - "It's Christmas Time Again (Spend, Spend, Spend)" Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women - "Really Been Good This Year". If you like that album you can also try the 1992 release "The Alligator Records Christmas Collection". A few of the songs from that album are listed here. Koko Taylor - "Have You Heard the News?" Little Charlie and The Nightcats - "Santa Claus" Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials - "I'm Your Santa" Charles Brown - "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus"

From Quiz What Christmas Carol Are These Words From? -- #2

Answer: Go Tell It On the Mountain

'Go Tell It On The Mountain', written by John W. Work, is the correct answer. Work was born in Nashville, Tenn., but no one is certain about the year. (Some Websites state 1871 and others 1873.) According to Wikipedia Work "was the first African-American collector of folk songs and spirituals, and also a choral director, educationalist and songwriter." He also owned a music publishing company called Work Brothers and Hart. Here are the words to the Christmas carol 'Go Tell It On the Mountain': "While shepherds kept their watching Over silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens, There shone a holy light: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born. The shepherds feared and trembled When lo! above the earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Saviour's birth: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born. Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born And God send us salvation, That blessed Christmas morn: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born. When I am a seeker, I seek both night and day; I seek the Lord to help me, And He shows me the way: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born. He made me a watchman Upon the city wall, And if I am a Christian, I am the least of all. Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born."

From Quiz What Christmas Carol Are These Words From?

Answer: Away In a Manger

According to Wikipedia, the words for 'Away In a Manger' were first published in the May 1884 issue of 'The Myrtle', a periodical of the Universalist Publishing House in Boston, Massachusetts. Legend has it Martin Luther wrote the classic song, but various Websites report such a view is incorrect. The consensus is 'Away In a Manger' was probably written in the mid-1800s by an anonymous American. "Although we may never know who wrote the song we can still find inspiration in the story of the song itself," states the Website Bibleheartburn.com. "It tells us of the incredible humble birth of the greatest man who ever lived and the more I think of it the deeper in awe I fall. This song for children also reminds me of Jesus' words teaching us that to such belong the kingdom of heaven. We must learn to become like children in order to commune with God." Here are the words to 'Away In a Manger': "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep in 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 til 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."

From Quiz Missing Letters -- Christmas Carols

Answer: Joy to the World

'Joy to the World' is the correct answer. The ever-popular Christmas carol was written by Englishman Isaac Watts in 1719. According to Wikipedia, Watts based the carol on the second half of Psalm 98. "The music was adapted and arranged to Watts' lyrics by Lowell Mason in 1839 from an older melody." Wikipedia reports. Wikipedia also states as of the late 20th century, 'Joy to the World' was the most-published Christmas hymn in North America. Here are the words to 'Joy to the World': "Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her king; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love."

From Quiz A Caroling With Rosy

Answer: Guiding us on to heaven afar

The lyrics of the carol, "Star of the East", were written by George Cooper. The second line of the hymn is "guiding us on to heaven afar". Cooper was a poet of the late 1800s and a friend to Stephen Foster with whom he collaborated during Foster's declining years. Other "guide word lines" occur throughout remaining stanzas, such as: "Help us to follow where Thou still dost guide", and "Guide us still onward to that blessed shore".

From Quiz Sing Me a Christmas Song

Answer: Rudolph

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was a song first recorded in 1949 by Harry Brannon, but a version by Gene Autry a few weeks later went to number one in the US during the Christmas week in 1949. The song went on to sell about 25 million copies. It has been covered by Bing Crosby, Spike Jones and His City Slickers and Dean Martin, to name a few.

From Quiz BBB's Christmas Carols

Answer: Joseph Mohr

Joseph Mohr wrote the lyrics and Franz Xaver Gruber wrote the music to this song in 1816. In 1818 the song was performed for the very first time at Nikolaus-Kirche (Church of St. Nicholas) in Oberndorf, Austria. In 1859 John Freeman Young translated it to the English version we sing today. The melody of the English version and the original version differ slightly. Gruber's music to the tune was a dance-like song in 6/8 rather than the slower version we sing today. In the early 1900s the Church of St. Nicholas in Austria was demolished by a flood. In its place was built Stille-Nacht-Gedächtniskapelle, Silent Night Merorial Chapel, in remembrance of the song. Question by Jimmy(J-Zilch)

From Quiz Christmas Carols - Lesser Known Second Lines

Answer: Joy to the World

The lyrics are based on Psalm 98 and were intended to be a song that glorified Christ's return rather than his birth.

From Quiz Hymn Stories, Christmas

Answer: Silent Night

Many stories have been written about this hymn, some are pure fiction and others greatly embellish the actual known facts. Joseph Krol, a Catholic priest, pastored a small village church in Mariapfarr, Austria and may have written the words to this hymn there. He was later sent to Oberndorf, Austria. Krol loved to play the guitar and he took the words to Franz Gruber, an organist and music teacher, and ask him to write a guitar accompaniment for it. It was performed for the first time during midnight mass at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Oberndorf. Karl Mauracher, an organ repairman, was primarily responsible for copying and distributing it throughout the region as the "Tyrolean Folk Song". In a short amount of time the hymn was being sung throughout Europe. Joseph Krol was for many years not recognized as the author of this hymn. He was known to give most of his earnings to care for the elderly and the education of poor children. He died penniless pastoring a church in an alpine ski area. In many ways his life reflects the true spirit of Christmas more than the many fictional stories surrounding the writing of this hymn.

From Quiz Greatest Christmas Hits 1935-1954

Answer: White Christmas

"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby is the right answer. The song won an Academy Award and went on to be the best selling Christmas single with over 30 million copies sold. Crosby rerecorded the song in 1947 and it went on to chart for an amazing 20 straight Christmas seasons.

From Quiz Santa Baby

Answer: Sable

"Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree for me..." Perhaps not a terribly politically correct Christmas present in this day and age, but very expensive - the singer obviously begins her Christmas list as she means to go on! Sable fur is so expensive that these days it is most commonly used as trim on items, rather than constructing complete garments from it.

From Quiz It's Christmas in Nashville

Answer: Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney released the Christmas album, "All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan", in 2003. The song was written by Paul Overstreet.

From Quiz The Novelty of Christmas Songs

Answer: tickled him

In 1952, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" reached #1 on the Billboard chart. Jimmy Boyd recorded the song when he was a month away from turning 13 years old. "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, Underneath the mistletoe last night, She didn't see me creep, Down the stairs to have a peep, She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep. Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus, Underneath his beard so snowy white, Oh, what a laugh it would have been, If Daddy had only seen, Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night."

From Quiz Famous Christmas Songs

Answer: 12 Days of Christmas

The children's rhyme was originally published in a book called "Mirth Without Mischief" in 1780.

From Quiz Christmas Music Trivia

Answer: Leroy Anderson

"Sleigh Ride" is included with Christmas music although it does not mention the Christmas Holiday at all.

From Quiz Deck the Halls with Christmas Songs

Answer: Joan Jett

Also known as "Carol of the Drum", this touching song tells of a young boy who has no gift to give the baby Jesus, so he plays his drum for him. "Little Drummer Boy" was included on Jett's 1981 album, "I Love Rock 'N Roll". Another notable rendition of the song was by Bing Crosby and David Bowie, who recorded a duet of "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" for Crosby's 1977 Christmas special. This version was later released as a single in 1982.

From Quiz Christmas Carols

Answer: Away in a Manger

The music was composed in 1895 ten years after the words were published. The author is unknown.

From Quiz Christmas Carols Chaos!

Answer: We Three Kings

This song describes the three wise men's visit to baby Jesus. "We three Kings of Orient are Bearing gifts, we traverse afar. Field and fountain moor and mountain, following yonder star."

From Quiz The Huron Carol

Answer: 17th century

French missionaries began to arrive in "Huronia" around 1615. Father Jean de Brebeuf, one of the eight Canadian martyrs, spent many years among the Hurons, sharing their life and work. The Hurons called him "Echon" - "One who carries burdens". In 1641/42 he wrote "Jesous Ahatonhia" in the Huron language. He used the French song "Une jeune pucelle" for the tune. He was captured and killed by the Iroquois when they attacked the Hurons in 1649.

From Quiz Fa la la la la, la la la la

Answer: pause

"Up on the housetop the reindeer pause, Out jumps good old Santa Claus; Down thro' the chimney with lots of toys, All for the little ones' Christmas joys." The song was written by Benjamin Russell Hanby.

From Quiz Christmas Carols.

Answer: O Come Emmanuel

The text was translated by Henry Sloane Coffin and the tune, called Veni Emmanuel was a French piece. As several people have written correction notes, you may be interested to know that 'The First Nowell' seems to be the English version of the carol. In church in England, I never saw it spelt Noel for this carol, although Noel is the spelling used more often otherwise.

From Quiz Politically Correct Christmas Songs

Answer: Joy to the World

The words for 'Joy to the World' were written by Isaac Watts in 1719. The music was written in 1822 by Lowell Mason, who took the arrangement from Georg Handel. The hymn comes from the Psalm of David.

From Quiz Christmas Lyrics - Give the Title

Answer: Merry Christmas Everyone

'Merry Christmas Everyone' is a Christmas song written by Bob Heattie and originally recorded by the Welsh singer Shakin' Stevens. The song was released in November 1985 and was the Christmas number one in the UK charts for the same year.

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