Christmas Caroles from Around the World
As you can tell from the title, today’s post has nothing to do with Sailing. Being in a foreign land at Christmas time has introduced me to Christmas Carols that are being sung in Spanish. It made me curious about what other countries Christmas Carols sound like, so I went looking.
This is what I found…
The Byzantine Hymm of the Nativity is an Arabic Carol. I quite enjoyed the low humming in the background, it reminds me of Gregorian chants.
***************************************
Having said that…the next one I found was, in fact, a Gregorian style chant…in Arabic! Ask and you shall receive!
*****************************************
Then we have one from Africa called ‘Sing Noel’ I love the drumbeat!
https://youtu.be/PSOuYLzCRKc?list=PLoZVrx5Z79ruzYITQ9pfH7fI1eiLP33ky
******************************************
A Japanese version of ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’! This should be fun!
*******************************************
I followed that up with a “Christmas in Killarney” from Ireland. I’ve heard this one before and I always enjoy the Celtic reel of it.
********************************************
Then I headed across the ocean for an uber Hawaiian version of the 12 Days of Christmas called “Numbah One Day of Christmas” . OMG so much fun! One line actually says ‘and one mynah bird in my papaya tree’!!
********************************************
While we’re across the ocean I thought I’d stop in and see what the Aussies consider to be a Christmas Carol.
I was not disappointed. Check out the Aussie version of “Jingle Bells'“ called “The Aussie Christmas Song”
*********************************************
Then I found a French carol called ‘Noel des enfants du monde” that seemed appropriate…
**********************************************
The next one is quite pretty but didn’t list the country of origin and I’m no sure what language they are singing in… perhaps Dutch? or Ukrainian? (My friend Marion tells me that this is indeed Dutch…thanks Marion!)
*********************************************
This is another version of ‘Jingle Bells” this one, I believe is in German. (feel free to correct me if I am wrong)
********************************************
Moving right along, I found a Chinese version of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. Somehow I expected there to be more of a variety of Carols as opposed to the same carols in several different languages. I may have to dig deeper and see what I can find!
*******************************************
Nothin says Christmas like crawfish so here’s a ‘Christmas Cajun” I presume its from the Southern US of A.
*********************************************
For those of you who are saying that’s not a true American Christmas Carol…here’s a little George Strait singing about “Christmas Cookies” .I know how he feels…
*********************************************
Anyone up for a Spanish version of ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town”?
*********************************************
In honour of my friend Mayflor, I tracked down a Filipino Christmas tune…
I think the title is “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit”
*******************************************
No Christmas Carol list would be complete without a little Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Russia) titled “Christmas Canon” …so beautiful!
*******************************************
And last but not least, one of my favourite groups (I have no idea what their country of origin is but it always sounds a little Rastafarian to me…. Boney M “Mary’s Boy Child”
******************************************
I’m sure that there are thousands of other Christmas carols… I highly recommend a cruise through YouTube to see what you can find.
In the meantime…Happy Holidays from Costa Rica!
