Carols - Somebody Had to Write Them! Quiz

Answer: Joy to the World

This tune was also published in America in Lowell Mason's collection. It is vaguely reminiscent of Handel's "Messiah".
The words are a paraphrase of Psalm 98.
It is a familiar and popular carol and appears in many versions. Although familiar as a Christmas/Advent/Epiphany carol, it does not mention the birth of Jesus, or Christmas time and is equally suitable for an Easter Sunday hymn.

Answer: Oh Come, O Come, Immanuel

There are seven verses - the eighth is a repeat of the first. Each addressed to a different aspect of Jesus - Immanuel or Emmanuel the law giver, Wisdom , Adonai or Leader of the House of Israel, The Root of Jesse, The Key of David, The Dayspring and the King of Nations. In religious houses it was used as an introduction to Christmas, being sung before the evening meal during Advent. Sometimes a different person had to lead the singing each night and that person would prepare and/or provide the meal that followed.

Answer: It Came upon a Midnight Clear

The words of this carol were first published in the "Christian Register" journal in Boston, Massachusetts in 1849. It is a very simple, almost naive declaration of faith in peace on earth.
The melody is a traditional one which Sir Arthur Sullivan re-wrote for "Church Hymns With Tunes" in 1874.

Answer: Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

The three tunes are "St Louis" by Lewis H Rener, "Christmas Carol" by Henry Walford Davies and "Forest Green" a traditional tune arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams. He found the tune as "The Ploughboy's Dream" in the village of Ockley in Surrey, England in 1903 and set it to these words for the English Hymnal in 1906.
The words were written by Philips Brookes. Although he was a great scholar, this seems to be the only carol of his that survives.

Answer: Away in a Manger

There are many sources given for both the words and the most familiar of tunes for this carol, but little that can be confirmed. Names that have been associated with it are Carey Bonner, Wm J. Fitzpatrick and Martin Luther.
The most familiar tune is "Cradle Song", usually attributed to Wm J, Fitzpatrick. Others, which are also beautiful, are "Normandy", a Basque air arranged by C. Edgar Pettman and an American tune in the key of F which starts with a phrase going down the C scale, for which I cannot find a name or composer.

Answer: Silent Night

According to tradition, this was written by Joseph Mohr, assistant priest and organist at the Church of St Nicholas, Oberndorf, and set to music overnight when some mice had eaten the bellows of the organ. It was said to have been written for two soloists, a choir and a guitar.

It was an instant success and has been translated innumerable times into various languages and adapted into many German versions.

Answer: Sussex

The melody was collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams and, probably because of its beautiful dance-like rhythm and convenient 88 88 88 line pattern has been used for many other hymns. Charles Wesley used it for "Come, let us with our Lord arise."
The words, although sometimes thought to be of folk derivation are also ascribed to a Roman Catholic bishop of Ferns, from County Wexford in Ireland.

Answer: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

This is a traditional carol. I have a cd of carol singing in a Yorkshire pub. Carol singing there is an annual occurrence, with many local carols and tunes. The entire cd is full of this carol to different tunes and with various choruses.
Every child knows many other - definitely not religious - versions of this carol such as "While shepherds washed their socks by night..."
Laurie Lee in "Cider with Rosie" tells of the boys going carol singing and choosing "Wild shepherds" as one of their favourites.
The tune which is most commonly used is Winchester, which appeared in Este's "Whole Book of Psalms" in 1592.

Answer: Christians Awake

My husband once belonged to a Salvation Army Band that went round the town playing carols early on Christmas morning. When they started on this one, no one could sleep late.
John Byrom wrote the poem as a present for his daughter in 1749. Originally the lines were divided into a section of 16 lines, another of 20, and the last of 16.
The original version has seen many adaptations and alterations.
In 1750 this carol was sung outside their family home before morning service and was sung in Stockport Parish church on the same day.
"The Companion to Rejoice and Sing" says "The hymn will be wearisome unless taken at a good speed - in 2/2 not 4/4. The more meditative v 5 could be sung by choir alone; v6 could then burst out as a vigorous paean of praise."

Answer: Angels From the Realms of Glory

The words of this carol were written by James Montgomery and first published in his own newspaper, "The Sheffield Iris" in 1816. In addition to the four groups of people quoted as being required to tell of the birth of Jesus, there is another verse, less well known which goes,
"Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains
Justice now repeals the sentence,
Mercy calls you break your chains."
The name of the tune is "Iris" as in the newspaper in which it first appeared linked to these words.