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Quiz about Know Your Favorite Christmas Songs
Quiz about Know Your Favorite Christmas Songs

Know Your Favorite Christmas Songs Quiz


Some of us sing the same Christmas songs year-after-year but what do we really know about those songs? Here is a bit of background and/or information about some of the most popular and traditional Christmas songs.

A multiple-choice quiz by cowboybluedog. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
399,918
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
318
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The song "O Tannenbaum" became associated with Christmas during the early 20th century - almost one hundred years after it had been written and enjoyed as a German folk song. Given the fir tree (i.e., tannebaum) is an evergreen, what was the original message of the song? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Sometimes a song becomes associated with a holiday or an event due to its initial exposure and its relationship with the holiday or event although its lyrics have nothing else relevant. Such in the case with the song "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep". It was introduced in a 1954 released film that featured it and other songs, also by Irving Berlin. Which classic film? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. According to accepted information it was a scorching July day when the song writing team of Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne wrote their song that would become a true Christmas classic. What song sets the mood with "chilly" phrases such as: "weather outside is frightful", "it doesn't show signs of stopping" and "I hate going out in this storm"? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In 1941 an American music teacher wrote a song she titled, "Carol of the Drum"; ten years later it was recorded and released by the Austrian folk group, Trapp Family Singers. The version that became more popular was one with a title and arrangement change from the late 1950s. What did the title become? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. It is believed this song, with lyrics that include "O'er the fields we go, Laughing all the way" and "Take the girls tonight and sing this sleighing song", was intended to be sung during Thanksgiving rather than Christmas. Which song? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. During the latter part of 1954 the effects of the Korean War was still very evident to many Americans. The war had ended during the previous year but the reminders of loved ones being distant were still present. What sentimental Christmas ballad released by Perry Como at that time became a enduring classic? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. American playwright Meredith Willson may be most remembered for his work, "Music Man", but it was another of his plays, "Here's Love", that featured a wonderful Christmas song. What upbeat classic from that play did its part to predict the holidays were on the way? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. This Christmas song may not be among those readily recalled on everyone's list of favorites but it has been a true holiday classic. Its greatest notoriety may have been the circumstances for which it was written. Frank Sinatra wanted to record a "Christmas song". He got it! Which song was written specifically for ol' Blue Eyes in 1954? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. A French wine merchant and local poet who lived in a small town in southern France composed a poem he titled, "Minuit, chrétiens" (in English - "Midnight Christians") during the mid-1800s. Later a French composer and music critic wrote a melody for the poem and it became the carol "Cantique de Noël". By what English title has the song been known? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Very little is known with certainty about the origin of the Christmas carol with lyrics that include: "Good tidings we bring, To you and your kin". One version of the song included the lyrics: " ... a happy new year, A pocket full of money, And a cellar full of beer." What was the title of the song that became a wonderful way to spread Christmas cheer? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The song "O Tannenbaum" became associated with Christmas during the early 20th century - almost one hundred years after it had been written and enjoyed as a German folk song. Given the fir tree (i.e., tannebaum) is an evergreen, what was the original message of the song?

Answer: Constant devotion, faithfulness

Ancient cultures of northern Europe and Scandinavia were enthralled with the fir tree's "evergreen" attribute. Certain sects of the Druid culture venerated evergreen trees by decorating those trees during the winter solstice. The folk song from which the (traditional) Christmas song was based, may have originated in area that was called Silesia which included parts of modern day Germany, Poland and Czech Republic. That song lamented the woes of one who was enamored with a "faithless lover" and only wished the lover would be more constant and faithful - as were the fir trees.

It would seem the combination of those characteristics - all unrelated to Christmas - gave us a beautiful Christmas song.
2. Sometimes a song becomes associated with a holiday or an event due to its initial exposure and its relationship with the holiday or event although its lyrics have nothing else relevant. Such in the case with the song "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep". It was introduced in a 1954 released film that featured it and other songs, also by Irving Berlin. Which classic film?

Answer: White Christmas

"Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" was a sentimental ballad performed in the 1954 version of the film "White Christmas" by Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby. The song was nominated for an Academy Award (although it did not win); it was performed as a part of the 1955 Academy Award telecast honoring the Oscars. "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" made no reference to Christmas - or to December or winter-time - in its lyrics but it has become a Yuletide favorite, nonetheless, and has often been included among artists' Christmas albums in a wide variety of genres.
3. According to accepted information it was a scorching July day when the song writing team of Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne wrote their song that would become a true Christmas classic. What song sets the mood with "chilly" phrases such as: "weather outside is frightful", "it doesn't show signs of stopping" and "I hate going out in this storm"?

Answer: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" is often included among the songs on a "Christmas playlist" but it makes no reference to the holiday. Jule Styne said he suggested that they (he and Sammy Cahn) write a "winter song" to, in essence, remove them from the extreme heat of July in southern California.

In the Northern Hemisphere the song is often heard among December/Christmas music sets but in the Southern Hemisphere it is more likely to be heard during June, July and August - when it may actually snow in those areas. Rod Stewart included "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" on his album, "Merry Christmas, Baby" (in 2012) and that version of the song remained at Number One on "Billboard's Adult Contemporary" charts (USA) for five consecutive weeks.
4. In 1941 an American music teacher wrote a song she titled, "Carol of the Drum"; ten years later it was recorded and released by the Austrian folk group, Trapp Family Singers. The version that became more popular was one with a title and arrangement change from the late 1950s. What did the title become?

Answer: The Little Drummer Boy

Katherine Kennicott Davis is credited with writing the song "Carol of the Drum" which - as mentioned in the question - evolved into the classical Christmas carol, "The Little Drummer Boy". It is a simple and sweet song about a young boy playing his drum for the newborn Christ child.

The Harry Simeone Chorale recorded and released a version of the song in late 1958 and it charted very well. For many years after that arrangement was released, and countless other artists included "The Little Drummer Boy" among their Christmas favorites, there continued to be disputes as to who should have received the credit for the re-working of Ms. Davis' song - Jack Halloran or Harry Simeone.
5. It is believed this song, with lyrics that include "O'er the fields we go, Laughing all the way" and "Take the girls tonight and sing this sleighing song", was intended to be sung during Thanksgiving rather than Christmas. Which song?

Answer: Jingle Bells

"Jingle Bells" was described by Wikipedia.com as: "... one of the best-known and commonly sung American songs in the world ...". It was one of many songs that gained immense popularity as a Christmas song and was included among the Christmas/holiday songs of many, many artists from a vast array of music genre yet none of its lyrics mention Christmas - or December or, even, any holiday.

The lyrics of this song were composed in the mid-nineteenth century and, at that time, it was titled, "One Horse Open Sleigh".

Much of the history of this song was disputed; including where, when, how and by whom its transformation happened yet its popularity remains well into the 21st century.
6. During the latter part of 1954 the effects of the Korean War was still very evident to many Americans. The war had ended during the previous year but the reminders of loved ones being distant were still present. What sentimental Christmas ballad released by Perry Como at that time became a enduring classic?

Answer: (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays

Timing can be everything - including the release of a Christmas song. Whether it was intentional or merely coincidental the release of "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays" was perfectly timed. With lyrics that included, "Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays, 'cause no matter how far away you roam, if you want to be happy in a million ways, for the holidays, you can't beat home, sweet home", it validated the importance of being with loved ones at those most special times.

In addition to Perry Como other artists enjoyed success with the song; among those were: Robert Goulet, The Carpenters, Garth Brooks and (as a duet) Cyndi Lauper with Norah Jones.

The song was seen with the title, "Home for the Holidays", as well.
7. American playwright Meredith Willson may be most remembered for his work, "Music Man", but it was another of his plays, "Here's Love", that featured a wonderful Christmas song. What upbeat classic from that play did its part to predict the holidays were on the way?

Answer: It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Meredith Willson was credited with writing the book, the music and the lyrics for the Broadway musical, "Here's Love" which was his adaptation of the holiday classic film, "Miracle on 34th Street". Although the play did not enjoy a particularly successful run - many who reviewed and reported on the play simply called it "a flop" - the song, "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas" remained a holiday favorite and enjoyed vast popularity and recording features for many years.

The song is often seen titled as "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" but the lyrics remain the same.
8. This Christmas song may not be among those readily recalled on everyone's list of favorites but it has been a true holiday classic. Its greatest notoriety may have been the circumstances for which it was written. Frank Sinatra wanted to record a "Christmas song". He got it! Which song was written specifically for ol' Blue Eyes in 1954?

Answer: The Christmas Waltz

"The Christmas Waltz" was another incredible song from the equally incredible song writing team of Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. They had already enjoyed immense commercial success with their Christmas song, "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", which had been written by the two of them in 1945.

The story about "The Christmas Waltz" told of Frank Sinatra's decision to record the Irving Berlin classic song, "White Christmas" but Sinatra wanted a fresh Christmas song to be the "B side" of his recording. Those were in the days when the entertainment industry gave Frank what he wanted! Thus the song.

Another story related about this song mentioned that additional lyrics were written (by Sammy Cahn) many years later for Mel Tormé when Mel decided to include it on his - first ever - Christmas album.
9. A French wine merchant and local poet who lived in a small town in southern France composed a poem he titled, "Minuit, chrétiens" (in English - "Midnight Christians") during the mid-1800s. Later a French composer and music critic wrote a melody for the poem and it became the carol "Cantique de Noël". By what English title has the song been known?

Answer: O, Holy Night

In addition to those mentioned in the question, another evolutionary process was involved in getting from the poem to the well known and oft recorded version of the song, "O, Holy Night". The poem was written by Placide Cappeau and the melody was written by Adolphe Adam - both of French heritage - but it was American Unitarian minister, John Sullivan Dwight, who was responsible for the translation of the lyrics that many recognized and adored into the 21st century.

The back story of this song is filled with interesting controversy - including that it was banned by the church in France for many years; one of the contributing authors was Jewish, another was (from all of his practices) agnostic and the (modern) lyrics were a very "loose" translation of its original content. Yet, it was a song that was often included among the playlist of a wide variety of musical artists and was appreciated world-wide.
10. Very little is known with certainty about the origin of the Christmas carol with lyrics that include: "Good tidings we bring, To you and your kin". One version of the song included the lyrics: " ... a happy new year, A pocket full of money, And a cellar full of beer." What was the title of the song that became a wonderful way to spread Christmas cheer?

Answer: We Wish You a Merry Christmas

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" was described as a traditional English Christmas carol. It may have been written as early as the sixteenth century; certainly by the Victorian era it was very popular. It is an easy song to sing and, thus, became a favorite for the English children to sing.

In the southwestern part of England (known as The West Country) it became especially popular for carolers who strolled their towns while singing Christmas carols. This song also included the lyrics: "... bring us some figgy pudding ...". Figgy pudding was often made from dried fruits, eggs, butter, milk and spices. Figgy pudding has been compared to the English dessert Christmas pudding and/or the American holiday staple, fruit cake.
Source: Author cowboybluedog

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