Sound for the Silent Night

Amarjot Kaur

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly as Santa Claus is Coming to Town on a Silent Night that brings Joy to the World, for Christ the Saviour is Born!

Well, there is a song for every occasion and when it comes to Christmas, the sound of carols from the nearby church conveys a rather comforting warmth that ignites the festive spirit with positivity.

However, Christmas music has come a long way travelling through the churches to the Billboard charts. As we trace the journey of Christmas songs, we stumble upon a series of tunes that have for long been associated with Christmas. So, whatever your mood, whatever you want, just play the music and wear your dancing shoes!

Timeless melody

While some of you might stump for Bruce Springsteen’s version of Santa Claus is Coming To Town, or The Pretenders’ 2000 Miles, Bob Seger’s Tender and Wistful, Sock It To Me Santa (Christmas just won’t be a drag/Cause Santa’s got a brand new bag! WHAAAAOOW!), has its moments, as does James Brown’s Go Power At Christmas. “Also, one would probably not kick you for suggesting Merle Haggard’s If We Make It Through December, or even Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run,” quotes Himanshu Kappal, a Chandigarh-based musician.

New tunes

However, the latest to top on-the-charts, including Take Me To Church by Hozier, All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Sam Smith and Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande.

“Everyone has favourite Christmas music. For some, it is deeply nostalgic, like the song, I'll Be Home for Christmas, while for others, it is uplifting like O Holy Night or Schubert's Ave Maria sung by Luciano Pavarotti. However, for me, it’s comforting like Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht and joyous like Adeste Fideles,” says Aman Suraj, a city-based musician. Though in scope and magnificence, George Frideric Handel's Messiah is the frequently performed and favourite choral music, our city musicians root for Missa Solemnis, certain parts of which are suggestive of Messiah.

Meanwhile, Shruti Rao Rathore, a music enthusiast, shares, “I feel that Beethoven’s work is music for the Catholic Mass, in five movements — The Kyrie (Lord, have mercy on us), Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Credo in Unum Deum (I believe in one God), Sanctus (Holy is the Lord) and Agnus Dei, (Lamb of God … have mercy upon us, Grant us peace).”

Of hearts & hurts

While most people like the joyous Christmas spirit, Stanley Choudhary, music teacher at Strawberry Fields School and musician shares that his idea of Christmas is the joy of giving. “My favourite Christmas song is Last Christmas, I Gave You My Heart and I sing it every Christmas because I give my heart away every year!,” he laughs. “Also, I love the Christmas carols, especially Silent Night and We Three Kings, they remind you constantly of the sanctity of the occasion,” he says.

Well, seems like you already have a long list of Christmas songs to pair with your rum cake and enjoy with your family and friends, while we at here wish you a Merry Christmas.

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