List of Christmas carols

A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics center on the theme of Christmas or that has become associated with the Christmas season even though its lyrics may not specifically refer to Christmas. Both types of Christmas carols are included in this list.

Traditional Christmas carols mainly focus on the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. Other Christmas songs focus on more secular Christmas themes, such as winter scenes, family gatherings, and Santa Claus.

Religious Christmas carols

*"A Babe is Born in Bethlehem"
("Puer natus in Bethlehem")
**14th Century Latin hymn
*"Adam Lay Ybounden"
**15th Century text, set by numerous composers, most notably by Boris Ord and Peter Warlock
*"Adeste Fideles"
("O Come All Ye Faithful")
**attributed to John Francis Wade "c."1743
**Latin words translated by Frederick Oakeley
**arrangement with descant and reharmonised verse 4 by Sir David Willcocks 1961 for the Carols for Choirs books
**recorded by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Stephen Cleobury and the King's College Choir, the Winchester Cathedral Choir
*"All Hail to Thee"
*"Angels' Carol"
**written and recorded by John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came"
**see "Gabriel's Message"
*"Angels, From the Realms of Glory"
**words: James Montgomery, 1816
**commonly-used tune in the US by Henry Thomas Smart
**recorded by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians
**commonly-used tune in the UK: the traditional French carol "Les anges dans nos campagnes"
**recorded by Renee Fleming with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Philip Ledger and the King's College Choir
*"Angels We Have Heard on High"
("Les anges dans nos campagnes")
**French traditional
**based on traditional carol "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes"
**music: traditional hymn "Gloria"
**English translation by James Chadwick, 1862
**reworded, retitled, and sung by Michael W. Smith as "Gloria"
*"As Lately We Watched"
*"As With Gladness Men of Old"
**words:William Chatterton Dix
**music: Conrad Kocher
*"Away in a Manger"
**first published 1885
**first two stanzas attributed to unknown author
**third stanza written by Dr. John McFarland, 1904
**music primarily sung in the (UK) by William J. Kirkpatrick (Cradle Song)
**music commonly sung (US) by James R. Murray (Mueller)
*"Baloo Lammy"
**recorded by The Norman Luboff Choir
*"Beautiful Star of Bethlehem"
**Bluegrass Traditional
*"The Boar's Head Carol"
**English traditional
*"Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heav'nly Light" Bach, Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht
*"Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella"
("Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle!")
**Provençal traditional
*"Carol of the Bells"
**(originally titled "Shchedryk")
**music and Ukrainian lyrics written by Mykola Leontovych, 1916
**words: (English) Peter Wilhousky, 1936
**sometimes called the "Bulgarian Carol" (although of Ukrainian origin)
*"Burgundian Carol"
*"Caroling Caroling"
**music: by Alfred Burt, 1954
**words: Wihla Hutson, 1954
*"The Cherry Tree Carol"
**English traditional
*"Children, Go Where I Send Thee"
*"Christ Is Born in Bethlehem"
*"Christ Is Born, the Divine Christ Child"
("Born on Earth the divine Christ Child")
("Il est né, le divin Enfant!")
**French traditional
**with an English translation written by Jacqueline Froom
*"A Christmas Carol"
**words and music: Charles E. Ives, 1894
*"Christmas Canon"
**recorded by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra in 1998
*'"Christmas Flowers (song)
**written by Michael Tierney, 2007
*"Christians, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn"
*"Christmas Auld Lang Syne"
*"Christmas is Coming"
*"Christmas Time at Home"
**Written by Rhonda Vincent in 2006
*"Christmas Time's A Coming"
**Bluegrass Traditional
*"Cold December's Winds Were Stilled"
("El desembre congelat")
**Catalan traditional
*"Come Buy My Nice Fresh Ivy"
**(originally titled "O'Carolan's Lament")
**music: Turlough O'Carolan
**words: John Keegan, 1849
*"Come, All Ye Shepherds"
("Kommet, ihr Hirten")
**Bohemian traditional
*"Coventry Carol"
("Lullay, Thou Tiny Little Child")
**English traditional
**music: also by Kenneth Leighton
*"Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly"
("Oer yw'r gŵr sy'n methu caru")
**Welsh traditional
*"Ding Dong Merrily on High"
**music: Jehan Tabourot
**words: George Ratcliffe Woodward
**first published in "The Cambridge Carol Book" with a harmonisation by Charles Wood
**recorded by The Canadian Brass, Stephen Cleobury and the King's College Choir and John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"Down in Yon Forest"
**English traditional
*"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
**written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne, 1962
**first recorded by The Harry Simeone Chorale, 1962
**also recorded by Bing Crosby and Anthony Way
*"Flemish Carol"
*"The First Nowell"
("The First Noël")
**English traditional
*"The Friendly Beasts"
*"The Servant King" (From Heaven You Came, Helpless Babe)"'
**written by Graham Kendrick
**published by Thankyou Music
*"From Highest Heaven I Come to Tell"
("Von Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her")
*"Fum, Fum, Fum!"
("El vint-i-cinc de desembre")
**Catalan traditional
*"Gabriel's Message"
**from the Basque traditional carol "Birjina gaztettobat zegoen"
**translated into English by Sabine Baring-Gould
*"A Gallery Carol"
*"Gaudete"
*"Gesu Bambino" ("The Infant Jesus")
*"Glory to God" ("Ere Zij God")
**Dutch traditional
*"Gloucester Wassail"
*"Go Tell It on the Mountain"
**American traditional
*"God is Being Born"
("Bóg się rodzi")
**Polish, lyrics written by Franciszek Karpinski
*"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
**English traditional
**recorded by Bing Crosby, the Canadian Brass, Leontyne Price with Herbert von Karajan, Stephen Cleobury and the King's College Choir
*"Good King Wenceslas"
**words: John Mason Neale
**music: tune from Piae Cantiones
**recorded by Mantovani and His Orchestra, George Guest and the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge with Simon Keenleyside and Richard Suart, Joan Sutherland
*"Hail, Blessed Virgin Mary!"
**Italian traditional
*"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
**music: Felix Mendelssohn originally as part of "Festgesang", adapted and harmonised by William Hayman Cummings
**words: Charles Wesley, amended by George Whitfield and Martin Madan
**descant for verse 3 added in 1961 by Sir David Willcocks for the Carols for Choirs books
**recorded variously by Nat King Cole, Stephen Cleobury and the King's College Choir
*"Here We Come A-Wassailing"
**English traditional
**recorded by Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians, The King's Singers, The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge
*"The Holly and the Ivy"
**English traditional
**notable choral arrangement by Sir Henry Walford Davies
*"How Brightly Beams" ("Wie Schön Leuchtet")
*"How Far Is It to Bethlehem" ("Children's Song of the Nativity")
**words written by Frances Chesterton
*"Huron Carol" ("'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime")
**recorded by The Canadian Brass and John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"
**words: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
**music: Johnny Marks
**music: John Baptiste Calkin
**recorded by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians
*"I Pray On Christmas"
**written and recorded by Harry Connick, Jr.
*"I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In)"
**English traditional
**recorded by The Canadian Brass, the King's College Choir, the Norman Luboff Choir, and the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge
*"In Dulci Jubilo"
("Good Christian Men, Rejoice" or "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice")
**Macaronic carol known in several translations
*"In the Bleak Midwinter"
**words: Christina Rossetti
**music: Gustav Holst (Cranham)
**music: Harold Darke
*"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" ("W żłobie leży")
**Polish traditional
*"Irish Carol"
**recorded by the Vienna Boys Choir
*"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear"
**words: Edmund Hamilton Sears
**music: in the US by Richard Storrs Willis,
**American version recorded by Frank Sinatra, Mantovani and His Orchestra Joan Sutherland and Leontyne Price
**music usually sung in Britain by Sir Arthur Sullivan
**English version recorded by Julie Andrews, the King's College Choir and the Winchester Cathedral Choir
*"I Wonder as I Wander"
**Appalachian traditional
**music: also by Carl Rutti
*"Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head"
**Appalachian traditional
*"Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine"
**recorded by the Norman Luboff Choir
*"Joy to the World"
**words: Isaac Watts based on Psalm 98
**music: arranged by Lowell Mason based on themes in Handel's Messiah
**recorded by the Norman Luboff Choir (1956), John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers (1989)
*"Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine"
("Joseph Lieber, Joseph Mein")
*"Judea"
**music: William Billings
**recorded by the Norman Luboff Choir
*"Little Donkey"
*"The Little Drummer Boy" ("Carol of the Drum")
**written by Katherine K. Davis
**first recorded by the Harry Simeone Chorale, 1957
**also recorded by Bing Crosby and David Bowie, 1977 and by the Vienna Boys' Choir
*"Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"
("Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen")
**German traditional
**recorded by Martin Koekelkoren and the Royal Male Choir of Holland, John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir, John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"Love Came Down at Christmas"
*"Lullay, Baby Jesus"("Lulajże Jezuniu")
**Polish traditional
*"Lullay, My Liking" or "I saw a fair maiden"
("Myn Liking")
**English traditional
**music: Gustav Holst
**recorded by John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"March of the Kings"
*"Mary, Did You Know?"
**words: Mark Lowry, 1984
**music: Buddy Greene, 1990
**recorded by Kathy Mattea in 1993
**later recorded by Kenny Rogers
*"Mary Had a Baby"
**American traditional
*"Mary's Little Boy Child"
**re-titled release of Mary's Boy Child
**recorded by Mahalia Jackson, 1956
*"Mary's Boy Child"
**written by Jester Hairston, 1956
**originally recorded by Harry Belafonte
**cover version recordings include Boney M, 1978, Kiri Te Kanawa (1984)
*"Masters in This Hall"
**recorded by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians
*"A la Nanita Nana"
**Spanish traditional
*"Night of Silence"
**words and music: Daniel Kantor
**written to be sung simultanesouly with "Silent Night"
*"Noel Nouvelet"
("Sing We Now of Christmas", or "Nowell, sing nowell")
**French traditional
*"Now is the Caroling Season"
**recorded by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians
*"O come, O come, Emmanuel"
("Veni, Veni, Emmanuel")
**(strictly an Advent hymn)
**recorded by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, Winchester Cathedral Choir
*"O Come, Little Children"
**words and music: Christoph von Schmid
*"O Holy Night"
**words: Placide Clappeau de Rouquemaure, translated by John Sullivan Dwight
**music: Adolphe Adam
**recorded by Mantovani and His Orchestra, the Norman Luboff Choir and John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"O Jesulein Süss, O Jesulein Mild!"
("O Little One Sweet, O Little One Mild!")
**German traditional
*"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
**words: Bishop Phillips Brooks
**music (US): Lewis H. Redner
**American version recorded by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, the Norman Luboff Choir, and Mantovani and His Orchestra.
**music (UK): traditional tune: "The Ploughboy's Dream"
**English version recorded by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge and the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge
**music: a setting by Sir Henry Walford Davies occasionally sung at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
**retitled and sung by Amy Grant as "Little Town"
*"O Tannenbaum" ("O Christmas Tree")
**German traditional
**recorded by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians, the Norman Luboff Choir, the Canadian Brass, the Vienna Boys Choir and John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"Of the Father's Love Begotten"
("Of the Father's Heart Begotten")
**music: tune from Piae Cantiones
*"O Leave Your Sheep"
"Come Leave Your Sheep"
("Quittez, pasteurs")
**French traditional
*"Once In Royal David's City"
**words:Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander
**music: Henry John Gauntlett, (Irby)
**sung at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in a harmonisation by Arthur Henry Mann
*"O Sanctissima or "O du fröhliche!"
*"O Sleep, Thou Heaven-Born Treasure, Thou"
("Schlaf wohl, du Himmelsknabe du")
*"Out of the East"
*"Past Three A Clock"
**English traditional, with verses written by George Ratcliffe Woodward
**first published in "The Cowley Carol Book" with a harmonisation by Charles Wood
*"Pat-A-Pan!"
("Guillô, pran ton tamborin!")
**Provençal traditional
*"The Peace Carol"
*"Personent Hodie"
("On This Day Earth Shall Ring" or "Sing aloud on this day")
**German traditional, tune from Piae Cantiones
**popular arrangement in unison by Gustav Holst
*"Puer Nobis Nascitur"
("Unto Us Is Born a Son" or "Unto Us a Boy Is Born")
**traditional, from Piae Cantiones
*"Quem Pastores"
("Shepherds Left Their Flocks A-Straying")
*"Rejoice and Be Merry"
**English traditional
*"Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow"
**American traditional
*"Rocking"
("Jesu, Jesu, Baby Dear" or "Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep")
**English translation of Czech traditional carol "Hajej, nynej, Ježíšku"
*"Sans Day Carol"
**Cornish traditional
*"Saw Ye Never, in the Twilight"
*"See, Amid The Winter's Snow"
**words: Edward Caswall
**music: John Goss
*"The Seven Joys of Mary"
**English traditional
*"Today in Betlehem"
("Dzisiaj w Betlejem")
**Polish traditional
**English traditional
*"Shepherd, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep"
**French traditional
*"Silent Night"
("Stille Nacht! heilige Nacht!")
**written by Franz Xaver Gruber and Josef Mohr
**best-known in the English translation by Rev. John Freeman Young
**recorded by Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Stephen Cleobury and the King's College Choir, Vienna Boys Choir (in German), John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"Sing Lullaby!"
("The Infant King")
("Oi Betleem!")
**Basque traditional
**words: Sabine Baring-Gould
*Sir Christèmas"
**music: William Mathias
*"The Snow Lay on the Ground"
*"The Son of the Virgin"
("El Noi da la Mare")
**Catalan traditional
*"Songs of Praise the Angels Sang"
*"Still, Still, Still"
**Austrian traditional
**recorded by John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
*"The Sussex Carol"
("On Christmas Night All Christians Sing")
**English traditional
*"Sweet Little Jesus Boy"
*"There's a Song in the Air"
*"There Is No Rose of Such Virtue"
("Ther Is No Rose of Swych Vertu")
**English traditional
**also with settings by Benjamin Britten (A Ceremony of Carols) and John Joubert
*"Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar"
("die Könige")
**words and music: Peter Cornelius
**with chorale "How Brightly Shines the Morning Star" by Philippe Nicolai
*"Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day"
**English traditional
**music also by John Gardner
*"Torches"
**composed by John Joubert, 1951
*"The Twelve Days of Christmas"
**English traditional
**with melody for "Five gold rings" added by Frederick Austin
**recorded by Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, the Ray Conniff Singers, George Guest and the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge and The Norman Luboff Choir
*"Tu scendi dalle stelle"
("From Starry Skies Thou Comest")
**Italian traditional
*"The Wassail Song"
*"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"
*"The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy"
**Trinidadian traditional
*"A Virgin Unspotted"
("A Virgin Most Pure")
**English traditional
*"The Virgin's Slumber Song"
*"Wachet auf!"
("Wake, O Wake!")
*"Wassail! Wassail All Over the Town!"
("The Gloucestershire Wassail")
**English traditional
*"We Wish You A Merry Christmas"
**English traditional
*"We Three Kings Of Orient Are"
("Three Kings of Orient")
**(strictly an Epiphany carol)
**written by Rev. John Henry Hopkins, 1863
**recorded by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians, Leontyne Price, John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers and the Choir of York Minster
*"The Wexford Carol
("Good People All, This Christmastide")
**Irish traditional, sometimes known as the "Enniscorthy Carol"
*"What Child Is This?"
**music: traditional English song "Greensleeves"
**words: William Chatterton Dix
*"Whence Is That Lovely Fragrance Wafting"
(Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?")
("Quelle est cette odeur agréable?")
**French traditional
*"While by My Sheep I Watched at Night"
*"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"
**words: Nahum Tate
**music (UK): "Winchester Old" from "Este's Psalter" adapted from Christopher Tye
**music (US): adapted from Handel

Non-Religious Christmas Songs

*"A Holly Jolly Christmas"
**written by Johnny Marks
**first recorded by Burl Ives in 1964
**also recorded by Alan Jackson
*"A Marshmallow World"
**words by Carl Sigman
**music by Peter De Rose
**recorded by Bing Crosby
**also recorded by Darlene Love in 1963, and Dean Martin
*"All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"
**written by Donald Yetter Gardner
**first recorded by Spike Jones in 1948
*"All I Want for Christmas Is You"
**written by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey
**first recorded by Mariah Carey in 1994
**also recorded by My Chemical Romance
*"Another Rock N' Roll Christmas"
**recorded by Gary Glitter, released 1984
*"Babes in Toyland"
**written by Victor Herbert and Glen MacDonough
*"Baby's First Christmas"
**recorded by Connie Francis, released 1961
*"Blue Christmas"
**written by Bill Hayes and Jay Johnson
**first recorded by Ernest Tubb in 1948
**also recorded by Elvis Presley, Porky Pig
**and by Shakin' Stevens, 1982
*"Buon Natale"
**words and music by Bob Saffer and Frank Linale
**recorded by Nat King Cole
*"C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S"
**words by Jenny Lou Carson
**music by Eddy Arnold
*"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"
**written by Ross Bagdasarian
**first recorded by The Chipmunks in 1958
*'"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
**written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector
**first recorded by Darlene Love in 1963
**also recorded by many artists including Mariah Carey, U2, Rosie O'Donnell featuring Cher
*"Christmas All Over Again"
**written by Tom Petty
**first recorded by Tom Petty in 1992
*"Christmas Day"
**music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David
**from the Broadway musical Promises, Promises (1968)
*"Christmas Dreaming"
**recorded by Frank Sinatra
*"Christmas for Cowboys"
**words and music by Steve Weisberg
**recorded by John Denver
*"Christmas in Hollis"
**recorded by Run-D.M.C.
*"Christmas in Killarney"
**words and music by John Redmond, James Cavanaugh, and Frank Weldon
**recorded by Bing Crosby, Anne Murray
*"Christmas Is"
**words by Spence Maxwell
**music by Percy Faith
*"Christmas Is Meant for Children"
**recorded by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians
*"Christmas Island"
**words and music by Lyle Moraine
**recorded by The Andrews Sisters
*"Christmas Shoes"
**written by Leonard Ahlstrom and Eddie Carswell
**first recorded by NewSong in 2000
*"The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)"
**written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells
**first recorded by The Nat King Cole Trio in 1946
**also recorded by Bing Crosby, Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, The Carpenters, Celine Dion, Al Jarreau, The Swingle Singers, Luther Vandross, Toni Braxton
*"Christmas Time: Don't Let The Bells End"
**first recorded by The Darkness
*"Christmas Time Is Here"
**written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson
**first recorded by Vince Guaraldi in 1965
**also recorded by Chicago, Mercy Me, Diana Krall, Toni Braxton
*"Christmas Time Is Here Again"
**written by George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
**first recorded by The Beatles
**also recorded separately by Ringo Starr in 1999
*"Christmastime"
**written by Billy Corgan
**performed by Smashing Pumpkins
*"Christmas Vacation"
**written by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann
*"The Christmas Waltz"
**music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sammy Cahn, c.1954
**recorded by Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Harry Connick Jr., The Carpenters, and many others
*"Do They Know It's Christmas?"
**written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure
**first recorded by Band Aid
*"Driving Home For Christmas"
**first recorded by Chris Rea in 1988
*"Fairytale of New York"
**written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan
**first recorded by The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl
*"Feliz Navidad"
**written by José Feliciano
**first recorded by José Feliciano in 1970
**also recorded by Celine Dion and The Three Tenors
*"Frosty the Snowman"
**written by Steve Edward Nelson and Jack Rollins
**first recorded by Gene Autry in 1950
**also recorded by the Ray Conniff Singers, Jackson 5, Willie Nelson, Larry Groce, and The Canadian Brass
*"The Gift of Christmas"
**recorded by Childliners, released 1995
*"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"
**written by Randy Brooks
**first recorded by Elmo & Patsy in 1983
*"Hanover Winter Song"
**words and music by Richard Hovey and Frierick Field Bullard
*"Happy Xmas (War is over)"
**written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono
**first recorded by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1971
**also recorded by Celine Dion, Maroon 5, Jimmy Buffet, Delta Goodrem or Quo Vadis
*"The Happy Elf"
**written by Harry Connick, Jr.
*"Hard Candy Christmas"
**recorded by Dolly Parton
*"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
**written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin
**first recorded by Judy Garland for the film "Meet Me in St. Louis" in 1944
**also recorded by Frank Sinatra, The Carpenters, James Taylor, The Pretenders, Amy Grant, Chicago, Kenny Loggins, Toni Braxton, John Denver and the Muppets, Kiri Te Kanawa, Relient K, Larry Groce
*"Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)"
**written by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman
**first recorded by Gene Autry in 1947
**also recorded by Elvis Presley, the Ray Conniff Singers, Linda Eder, Bing Crosby with The Andrews Sisters
*"Here Comes the Fastest Man In Town"
**music and lyrics by Gloria Parker
**title and music for Soundie, starring Mel Blanc and Gloria Parker.
*"Hi Ho the Holly"
**recorded by Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians
*"I Believe in Father Christmas"
**written by Greg Lake
**recorded by Greg Lake, released 1975
*"(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus"
**written by Harry Connick, Jr
*"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
**written by Thomas Connor
**first recorded by Jimmy Boyd in 1952
*"I'll Be Home for Christmas"
**written by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram
**first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943
**also recorded by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Amy Grant, The Carpenters, Placido Domingo, The Three Tenors
*"It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas"
**written by Robert Meredith Willson
**first recorded by Perry Como on September 18, 1951
**also recorded by Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis
*"It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"
**written by Edward Pola and George Wyle
**first recorded by Andy Williams in 1963
**also recorded by Amy Grant, Johnny Mathis, Toni Braxton
*"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"
**Written by John Rox
**performed by Gayla Peevey in 1953
*"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday"
**written by Roy Wood
**first recorded by Wizzard in 1973
*"Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling"
**words by Don Ray
**music by Paul J. Smith
**In the film "Beaver Valley"
*"Jingle Bell Rock"
**written by Joe Beale and Jim Boothe
**first recorded by Bobby Helms in 1957
**also recorded by Hall & Oates
*"Jingle Bells"
**written by James Pierpont
**recorded by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra, the Ray Conniff Singers, and Barry Manilow and Expose.
*"Jolly Old St. Nicholas"
**traditional - Unknown author – The song is in an 1874 school song book edited by James Ramsey Murray and an 1881 song collection book edited by J. P. McCaskey
*"Last Christmas"
**written by George Michael
**first recorded by Wham!
**also recorded by Hilary Duff, Jimmy Eat World, Darren Hayes of Savage Garden, Billie Piper, BoA, Taylor Swift, Cascada
*"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"
**written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne
**first recorded by Vaughn Monroe on October 31, 1945
**also recorded by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Chicago, Gloria Estefan, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, The Three Tenors, Michael Buble
*"Let There Be Peace on Earth"
**written by Jill Jackson and Seymour Miller
*'"The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot"
**words and music by Tommie Connor, Jimmy Leach, and Michael Carr
*"Little Saint Nick"
**written by Brian Wilson
**first recorded by The Beach Boys in 1964
*"Mele Kalikimaka (the Hawaiian Christmas Song)"
**words and music by R. Alex Anderson
**recorded by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters
**also recorded by Bette Midler
*"Merry, Merry Christmas, Baby"
**recorded by Elvis Presley
*"Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)"
**words by Joey Ramone
**recorded by The Ramones
*'"The Merry Christmas Polka"
**words by Paul Francis Webster
**music by Sonny Burke
**recorded by Lou Baxter, The Andrews Sisters and Johnny Moore
*"Merry Xmas Everybody"
**written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea
**first recorded by Slade
*"Mistletoe and Wine"
**words by Jeremy Paul, Leslie Stewart and Keith Strachan
**music by Jeremy Paul, Leslie Stewart and Keith Strachan
**first recorded by Twiggy, released 1986
**reworded and recorded by Cliff Richard, released 1988
*"My Dream Christmas"
**lyrics and music by Gloria Parker
**recorded by Vincent Lopez
*"My Only Wish (This Year)"
** recorded by Britney Spears
*'"Nuttin' for Christmas'"
**words and music by Sid Pepper and Roy C. Bennett
**first performed by Barry Gordon on "The Milton Berle Show"
**also recorded by Stan Freberg, Eartha Kitt, and Homer and Jethro among others
*'"Please Come Home for Christmas"
**written by Charles Brown and Gene C. Redd
**first recorded by Charles Brown in 1960
**also recorded by The Eagles, Aaron Neville, Southside Johnny Lyon
**and by Bon Jovi, released 1994
*"Pretty Paper"
**written by Willie Nelson
**first recorded by Roy Orbison in 1963
*"Proper Crimbo"
**recorded by Bo Selecta, released 2003
*"Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"
**written by Johnny Marks
**first recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958
**also recorded by Mel Smith and Kim Wilde, released 1987, and Miley Cyrus, released 2007
*"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
**written by Johnny Marks
**first recorded by Gene Autry in 1949
**also recorded by Harry Connick, Jr., Burl Ives, Ray Conniff, Dean Martin, John Denver, The Swingle Singers, Hampton String Quartet, the Canadian Brass, Alvin and the Chipmunks
*"Run Rudolph Run"
**written by Marvin Brodie and Johnny Marks
**first recorded by Chuck Berry in 1958
*"Santa Baby"
**written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer and Tony Springer
**first recorded by Eartha Kitt in 1953
**also recorded by Madonna, The Swingle Singers, Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue.
*"Santa Claus Is Back in Town"
**written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
**first recorded by Elvis Presley in 1957
*"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"
**written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie
**recorded by Perry Como, Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra (recording later dubbed to include Cyndi Lauper), The Pointer Sisters, The Beach Boys, The Jackson Five
*"Santa Claus, Indiana, U.S.A
**words and music by Abe Olman and Al Jacobs
*"Santa Doesn't Cop Out on Dope"
**written by Martin Mull
**first recorded by Martin Mull
**also recorded by Sonic Youth
*"Santa's List"
**written by Cliff Richard
**recorded by Cliff Richard, released 2003
*"Silver and Gold"
**sung by Burl Ives
*"Silver Bells"
**written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston for the film The Lemon Drop Kid
**first recorded by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards in 1951, and later Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians
**also recorded by Elvis Presley, Kate Smith, Atlantic Starr
*"Six White Boomers"
**written by Rolf Harris and John D. Brown in 1960
**recorded by Rolf Harris in 1960, Russell Coight on The Spirit of Christmas 2004
*"Sleep Well, Little Children (A Christmas Lullaby)"
**words by Alan Burgman
**music by Leon Latzkin
**recorded by Spike Jones
**later covered by The Carpenters
*"Sleigh Ride"
**music written by Leroy Anderson in 1948
**lyrics written by Mitchell Parish in 1950
**instrumental version first recorded by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1949
**instrumental version also recorded by The Ventures in 1965
**vocal version first recorded by Merv Griffin with Freddy Martin and his Orchestra in 1951
**also recorded by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians, Deborah Gibson, Amy Grant, Leroy Anderson, The Carpenters, Air Supply, Johnny Mathis, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, TLC, The Three Tenors , Relient K, Larry Groce
*"Step Into Christmas"
**words by Bernie Taupin
**music by Elton John
**recorded by Elton John, released 1973
*"Stop The Cavalry"
**words by Jona Lewie
**music by Jona Lewie
**recorded by Jona Lewie, released 1980
*"Suzy Snowflake"
**words and music by Sid Topper and Roy C. Bennett
**recorded by Rosemary Clooney
*"Take Me Back To Toyland"
**words by Kal Mann
**music by Bernie Lowe
*"Thank God For Kids"
**words and music by Eddy Raven
**first recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys
**also recorded by Kenny Chesney
*"That's What I Want for Christmas"
**words by Irving Caesar
**music by Gerald Marks
*"(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays"
**written by Robert Allen and Al Stillman
**first recorded by Perry Como on November 16, 1954
**also recorded by The Carpenters
*"Toast To Christmas With The Singing Glasses"
**recorded by Gloria Parker
*"Toyland"
**words by Glen MacDonough
**music by Victor Herbert
**from the operetta Babes in Toyland
*"Una all cam yerri wan fine fine word"
**traditional Sierra Leone carol
*"Up On the House Top"
**attributed to Benjamin Hanby
*"We Need a Little Christmas"
**written by Jerry Herman for the Broadway musical Mame 1966
**also recorded by Percy Faith, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, The New Christy Minstrels
*"When Santa Claus Gets Your Letter"
**words and music by Johnny Marks
*"White Christmas"
**written by Irving Berlin
**first recorded by Bing Crosby for the film "Holiday Inn" in 1942
**also recorded by Freddy Martin (1942), Frank Sinatra (1942), Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians, Dick Leibert (organist), Chicago, Darlene Love (1963), The Drifters (1954), Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Carpenters, the Canadian Brass, John Denver, Bryn Terfel, Kiri Te Kanawa, The Three Tenors, Larry Groce, Taylor Swift
*"Whispering Hope"
**written by Alice Hawthorne
*"Will Santy Come to Shanty Town?"
**words and music by Eddy Arnold, Steve Nelson, and Ed Nelson, Jr.
*"Winter"
**words by Alfred Bryan
**music by Albert Gumble
*"Wintersong"
**written by Sarah McLachlan
*"Winter Wonderland"
**written by Felix Bernard and Dick Smith
**first recorded by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians in 1934
**also recorded by Perry Como (1946), The Andrews Sisters (1946), Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians, Amy Grant, Eurythmics, Johnny Mathis, Kiri Te Kanawa, The Three Tenors, and The Canadian Brass
*"Winter World of Love"
**written by Engelbert Humperdinck
*"Wombling Merry Christmas"
**recorded by The Wombles, released 1974
*"Wonderful Christmas Time"
**written by Paul McCartney
**first recorded by Paul McCartney

Czech language Christmas Songs

* "Dej Bůh štěstí"
* "Den přeslavný"
* "Jak jsi krásné neviňátko"
* "Narodil se Kristus Pán"
* "Nesem vám noviny"
* "Pásli ovce Valaši"
* "Pláč Ježíškův"
* "Půjdem spolu do Betléma"
* "Ráda bych k Betlému"
* "Štědrej večer nastal"
* "Tichá noc" (Silent night)
* "Štěstí zdraví, pokoj svatý"
* "Veselé vánoční hody"

Danish language Christmas Songs

* "Det Kimer Nu Til Julefest" (The Happy Christmas Comes Once More)

Filipino language Christmas Songs

As the Philippines is a predominantly Christian country in Asia, it also has produced its own Christmas songs, both traditional and secular, as well as Filipino language version of very well known English songs. Some of the very well known Filipino Christmas carols are as follows:

*"Kumukutikutitap" (Glistening)
*"Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" (Christmas Has Come)
*"Pasko na Naman Muli" (Christmas Is Here Again), originally a Cebuano language non-Christmas ditty "Kasadya Ning Takna-a"
*"Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve Feast)
*"Pasko na Sinta Ko" (It's Christmas time, My Love), written and popularized by Gary Valenciano
*"Sana Ngayong Pasko" (I Hope This Christmas) by Ariel Rivera
*"Heto Na Naman" (Here It Is Again) by Ryan Cayabyab"Pasko Na Sinta Ko" by Gary Valenciano"Christmas in our Hearts" by Jose Marie Chan

Finnish language Christmas Songs

Kulkuset

Petteri Punakuono

Joulupuu on rakennettu

Pukki ovella kolkuttaa

Tonttuparaati

Metsämökin ikkuna

Hei tonttu-ukot

Tonttu lähti matkaan

Koska meillä on joulu

Porsaita äidin oomme kaikki

Juhla on verraton

Helkkää pienet tiu'ut

Kukkurinmäen joulupolkka

Tonttujen jouluyö

Kilisee, kilisee kulkunen

Sinivuorten yö

Tuiki, tuiki tähtönen

Tonttu torvinen

Hajamielinen joulupukki

Pikkuoravien joululaulu

Reippahasti käypi askeleet

Kun joulupukki suukon sai

Joulu tulee laulamalla

Nisse-polkka

Joulumaa

Varpunen jouluaamuna

Tonttu

French language Christmas Songs

* "Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris"
* "Douce nuit, sainte nuit" (Silent Night)
* "Il est né le divin enfant"
* "La Marche des rois"
* "Les Anges dans nos campagnes" (Angels We Have Heard on High). Also sung in Britain as Angels from the realms of glory
* "Minuit chrétien"
* "Noël nouvelet"
* "Venez divin Messie" (O Come, Divine Messiah)
* "Peuple fidèle" (Adeste fideles)
* "Dans une étable obscure"
* "C'est le jour de la Noël"
* "Bergers, l'enfant sommeille"
* "Noël de la paix" (Ô divin enfançon)
* "Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agréable?"
* "Un Flambeau"
* "Petit Papa Noël"
* "Quittez, pasteurs"
* "Nouvelle Agréable"
* "Dans Cette Étable"
* "Mon beau sapin"
* "Le Noël de la rue"
* "Petit garçon"
* "Le Noël des petits santons"
* "Vive le vent"
* "Trois anges sont venus ce soir"

German language Christmas songs

German language Christmas carols tend to be less blitheful and more ceremonious than English ones:

religious:
* "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" (Lo How a Rose 'Ere Blooming)
* "Ihr Kinderlein kommet"
* "Kommet Ihr Hirten"
* "Menschen, die ihr wart verloren"
* "O du fröhliche" [http://www.ylw.mmtr.or.jp/~johnkoji/hymn/xmas/108-g.html Lyrics and MIDI]
* "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" (Silent Night)
* "Süßer die Glocken nie klingen"
* "Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her"
* "Zu Bethlehem geboren"
* "Wir sagen euch an"

non-religious:
* "Alle Jahre wieder"
* "Eine Muh, eine Mäh, eine Täterätätä"
* "Es wird scho glei dumper"
* "Fröhliche Weihnacht überall"
* "In der Weihnachtsbäckerei" (modern)
* "Kling Glöckchen"
* "Lasst uns froh und munter sein"
* "Leise rieselt der Schnee"
* "Morgen, Kinder, wird's was geben"
* "Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann"
* "O Tannenbaum" (O Christmas Tree)
* "Schneeflöckchen, Weissröckchen"

Greek language Christmas Songs

Greek Carols are called "kalanta", which is related to other such terms as"kolyadki" (Russian) "colinda" (Romanian)to refer to para-liturgical songsregarding the birth of Christ. The most well-known are"Hristos Yennate Simeron" (Christ is Born Today), and a carol sung to commemorate St. Basil the Great, theologian, monastic founder and Church Father,whose feastday is January 1. It begins "Aghios Vasilis Erhete..."They are usually sung by little boys who go house to house, oftenaccompanied by small percussion instruments like the triangle, and arerewarded with treats.

Hungarian language Christmas Songs

* A kis Jézus
* Csendes éj
* Csordapásztorok
* Kiskarácsony, nagykarácsony
* Mennyből az angyal
* Pásztorok, pásztorok
* Pásztorok, keljünk fel

Icelandic language Christmas Songs

Italian language Christmas Songs

* "Ave Maria"
* "Dormi, Dormi, O Bel Bambin"
* "O Bambino Divino"

* "Adeste Fideles" (in Latin)

Norwegian language Christmas Songs

* Deilig er Jorden
* Julekveldsvisa
* Glade Jul
* O Jul med din glede
* Jeg er så glad hver Julekveld
* Et barn er født i Betlehem
* Så går vi rundt en enebærbusk
* Det lyser i stille grender
* Musevisa

Occitan language Christmas songs

* La Cambo mi fa mau
* Guihaume, Tòni, Pèire (William, Tony, Peter), tune attributed to Nicolas Saboly. Frédéric Mistral composed the provençal anthem Coupo santo (The Holy Cup) according to this Christmas carol.
* Nouvé dòu pastre (Christmas carol for the shepherd)
* L'Ouferta de Calèna (The Christmas' offering)
* Pastre dei mountagno (Shepherd from the mountains)

Polish language Christmas carols

Poland is sensation on world's scale with respect to amount of saved carols, in polish cultural output there is over 500.

Some of the most popular Polish carols (alphabetical):
* Ach, ubogi żłobie
* Anioł pasterzom mówił
* Bóg się rodzi
* Bracia, patrzcie jeno
* Do szopy hej, pasterze
* Dzieciątko się narodziło
* Dzisiaj w Betlejem Today in Betlehem
* Gdy się Chrystus rodzi
* Gdy śliczna Panna
* Gore gwiazda
* Hej, w dzień narodzenia
* Jam jest dudka
* Jezus malusieńki
* Lulajże, Jezuniu Lullay Baby Jesus
* Mędrcy świata
* Mizerna cicha, stajenka licha
* Nie było miejsca dla Ciebie
* Nowy Rok bieży
* O gwiazdo betlejemska
* Oj, Maluśki, Maluśki
* Pasterze mili
* Pójdźmy wszyscy do stajenki
* Przybieżeli do Betlejem
* Tryumfy
* W żłobie leży
* Wesołą nowinę
* Witaj gwiazdko złota
* Wśród nocnej ciszy
* Zaśnij, Dziecino
* Z narodzenia Pana

Romanian language Christmas songs

* Iată vin colindători (Colindă)
* Moş Crăciun cu plete dalbe
* Trei păstori se întâlniră
* Trei crai de la răsărit
* Astăzi s-a născut Hristos (Lăudaţi si Căntaţi)
* O, ce veste Minunata
* Din an în an
* Buna dimineaţa la Moş Ajun (related rather to New Year's Eve)
* Steaua sus răsare
* Domn, domn să-nălţăm
* Asta-i seara serilor
* Leru-i Doamne ler
* Pluguşorul (related rather to New Year's Eve)

Russian language Christmas songs

In the Russian Orthodox tradition the Birth of Christ is a high holiday.

Another Winter celebration is called Maslenitsa ("Butter week") which precedes Lent, and is followed by a period of fasting.

Russians do not traditionally sing Christmas carols, although attempts have been made to introduce the tradition.fact|date=September 2008

Most of the Christmas songs that are called "Russian" are actually of Ukrainian origin, sung in Church Slavonic.fact|date=September 2008 These Religious Ukrainian Christmas carols were created in the 17th century in the period of conflict between Roman Catholic rite Poland and Orthodoxy. fact|date=September 2008

panish language Christmas songs

* Campana Sobre Campana
* "La Virgen Lava Panales"
* "Riu Chiu"
* "Feliz Navidad"

wedish language Christmas songs

December is the darkest month of the year in Sweden, and candles are often the theme in Swedish Christmas songs. "Ljus" is the Swedish word for candle.
* "Nu tändas tusen juleljus"
* "När det lider mot jul"
* "När ljusen tändas därhemma"
* "Nu har vi ljus här i vårt hu" (In Sweden it is tradition to dance around the christmas tree - this song is often sung, when the family is dancing around the tree)
* "Ser du stjärnan i det blå

Ukrainian language Christmas Songs

One of the most famous Ukrainian Christmas songs is the Ukrainian Bell Carol or Carol of the Bells. In Ukrainian it is known as "Shchedryk" a song that commemorates good wishes for theNew Year. The English lyrics were written by Peter Wilhousky in 1938.The original song was composed by Mykola Leontovych who based his composition or arrangement around an 4 note ostinato pagan chant. Wilhousky's lyrics are not a translation from the original Ukrainian.

Most of the Christmas songs that are called "Russian" are actually Ukrainian, as Russian culture does not sing Christmas Carols. Religious Ukrainian Christmas songs became firmly entrenched during from the 17th century onward and is an aspect of Ukrainian culture that was driven by the conflict between the traditions of the Roman Catholic rite (which were seen as being Polish and Latin) and the Byzantine rite (Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic as being Traditionally Ukrainian).

Ukrainians have a number of different types of Christmas songs which are characterised by the subject matter and the type of meter the text uses:1) Pagan new Years songs2) Religious Christmas Carols (Sung only on or after Christmas on January 7 for 4 weeks)3) Pagan Shchedryk songs Feast of Jordan carols - (sung on or after Epithany - January 19)4) Commemorating Christ's circumcision (January 14)

*Boh Predvichny (Eternal God)
*Boh sia Razhdaye (God is born today)
*Schedryk (New Year's wishes)
*Dyvnaia Novyna (A New Day)