Carols-like songs were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago, but these were actually not Christmas Carols. They were pagan songs sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations as people danced round stone circles. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, usually taking place around 22nd December.
The word Carol comes from the ancient Greek ‘choros’ and means dance or sing a songs in a circle.
Word ‘Carols’ also comes from the Old French word ‘carole’ meaning ‘a song to accompany dancing’. It means a song where all the singers might hold hands and dance round in a circle.
Carols were composed in every country in Europe. First ‘official’ Christmas Carol is dated at the beginning of the XIV century.
Sadly, only a very small fragment of it survived. The carol was about Mary and Jesus meeting different people in Bethlehem.
We all have our favourite Christmas Carol. Mine is Polish Carol – ‘Lulajze Jezuniu’ (Sleep, Little Jesus)
In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful Polish carol, as it’s written as a lullaby for the baby Jesus. This carol was an inspiration for a great composers like Frederic Chopin.
Lullaby, Little Baby Jesus
Christmas Carol
Lulajże, Jezuniu, moja perełko, Lulaj ulubione me pieścidełko. Lulajże, Jezuniu, lulajże, lulaj, A ty, Go Matulu, w płaczu utulaj. Zamknijże znużone płaczem powieczki, Utulże zemdlone łkaniem usteczki. Lulajże, Jezuniu, lulajże, lulaj! A ty, Go Matulu, w płaczu utulaj. Lulajże, piekniuchny nasz Aniołeczku, Lulajże,wdzięczniuchny świata kwiateczku. Lulajże, Jezuniu, lulajże, lulaj, A ty, Go Matulu, w płaczu utulaj. Lulajże, różyczko najozdobniejsza, Lulajże, lilijko najprzyjemniejsza. Lulajże, Jezuniu, lulajże, lulaj, A ty, Go Matulu, w płaczu utulaj. Lulajże, prześliczna oczom gwiazdeczko, Lulaj, najśliczniejsze świata słoneczko. Lulajże, Jezuniu, lulajże, lulaj, A ty, Go Matulu, w płaczu utulaj. Cyt, cyt, cyt wszyscy sie spać zbierajcie, Mojego dzieciątka nie przebudzajcie. Lulajże, Jezuniu, lulajże, lulaj, A ty, Go Matulu, w płaczu utulaj.
Lullaby, little baby Jesus, my little pearl, Lull, my favorite little cuddly one. Lullaby, little baby Jesus, lullaby, lull, And you, the mama, calm him down when crying. Close your little eyelids, weary from weeping, Relax your little lips, tired from sobbing. Lullaby, little baby Jesus, lullaby, lull, And you, the mama, calm him down when crying. Lullaby, our most lovely little angel, Lullaby, the most enchanting little flower in the world. Lullaby, little baby Jesus, lullaby, lull, And you, the mama, calm him down when crying. Lullaby, the most gorgeous little rose, Lullaby, the most pleasant little lily. Lullaby, little baby Jesus, lullaby, lull, And you, the mama, calm him down when crying.
Lullaby, lovely little star delighting our eyes, Lullaby, the most beautiful little sun in the world. Lullaby, little baby Jesus, lullaby, lull, And you, the mama, calm him down when crying. Hush, hush, hush, everyone get ready for bed, Don't wake up my little baby. Lullaby, little baby Jesus, lullaby, lull, And you, the mama, calm him down when crying.
It is very possible, that if you visit an old Polish village on a cold Christmas night and listen closely, you may hear the sound of Polish carolers reverberating in the frosty wind.