There are many things that Americans do to get in the Christmas spirit (other than drinking a few peppermint lattes at Starbucks!). In addition to attending holiday festivals, eating traditional foods, and (of course) shopping, there is one American tradition that many practice during the holiday season: caroling!

What is CAROLING? It is singing Christmas songs (also called “carols”) with a group of friends. Traditionally, carolers walk around neighborhoods and sing carols to their neighbors while drinking warm beverages like hot chocolate, cider, or eggnog. It’s a great way to celebrate the holidays!

To go Christmas caroling, you simply need some friends and some music. We have compiled a list of traditional holiday songs that you would need. If you don’t feel like caroling, this list is just another great way to feel the holiday “cheer” (and learn some new vocab).

Season’s Greetings to all of our students and staff!

Christmas Caroling Songs + Videos

We Wish You a Merry Christmas 

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
And a cup of good cheer

We won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
So bring it right here

So bring us some figgy pudding
So bring us some figgy pudding
So bring us some figgy pudding
And bring it right here

Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Repeat Chorus Three Times

Vocabulary:

• Kin: family
• Tidings: wishes/greetings

 

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow,
In a one horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go
Laughing all the way.
bells on bobtail ring
making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Chorus
Oh jingle bells jingle bells
jingle all the way!
Oh what fun
it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh, Hey!
Jingle bells jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

Vocabulary:

• Dashing: racing; moving quickly
• Jingle: the noise bells make when they are shaken
• Sleigh: a small means of transportation (over snow)
• Bobtail: the horse carrying the sleigh

 

O Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are so unchanging

Not only green when summer’s here,
But also when it’s cold and drear.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!

For every year this Christmas tree,
Brings to us such joy and glee.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
You’ll ever be unchanging!
A symbol of goodwill and love
You’ll ever be unchanging

Each shining light
Each silver bell
No one alive spreads cheer so well

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
You’ll ever be unchanging

Vocabulary:

• Thy: your (antiquated)
• Drear: depressing
• Glee: happiness

 

Deck the Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis’ the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Troll the ancient Christmas Carol,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.,

See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Follow me in merry Christmas
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la la la la la

Vocabulary

• Deck: decorate (probably shortened)
• Boughs: branches
• Holly: a type of plant with berries commonly used in Christmas decorations
• Jolly: happy; joyous
• Gay apparel: happy clothes
• Heedless: without attention/worry

Cover photo from Shutterstock.