What is the origin of the song We Wish You a Merry Christmas?
Presumably, the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” appeared in the 16th century in the South-West England. In 1935, the Oxford University Press published the choral arrangement by composer Arthur Worrall, and since then the song had gained wide popularity and had become known throughout the world.
What is figgy pudding in the Christmas song?
Figgy pudding is a pudding in the British sense of the word, which means it is a steamed cakelike dessert. This particular Christmas version is traditionally made with suet (which is raw beef or mutton fat), eggs, brown sugar, breadcrumbs, spices, dried fruits and, last — but certainly not least — brandy.
When was the song We Wish You a Merry Christmas written?
But for its present popularity we can thank the composer Arthur Warrell, who published a carol in 1939 called ‘A Merry Christmas’. He admitted that he had been inspired by a traditional English song, written some time before…
Who originally sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas?
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” was popularized in the 1930s as a result of an arrangement by the Bristol-based composer, conductor and organist Arthur Warrell. He arranged the carol for the University of Bristol Madrigal Singers, and performed it with them in concert on December 6, 1935.
What holiday treat do the singers want in We Wish You a Merry Christmas?
Its origin probably lies in the English tradition wherein wealthy people of the community gave Christmas treats to the carolers on Christmas Eve, such as “figgy pudding” that was very much like modern-day Christmas puddings; in the West Country of England, “figgy pudding” referred to a raisin or plum pudding, not …
Who is Arthur Warrell?
Arthur Sydney Warrell (1882/1883-August 12, 1939), was an English composer, conductor, and organist. He was assistant organist at Bristol Cathedral, where he worked under Hubert Hunt, and was latterly organist of Clifton Parish Church. He was appointed Lecturer in Music at Bristol University in 1909.
Who handed out figgy pudding?
Figgy pudding (or plum, which was the name for any kind of dried fruit back in the day) originated in 14th-century Britain as a way to preserve food. A soup-like dish, it was served as a fasting meal in preparation for the Christmas season. Beef and mutton were mixed with raisins and prunes, wines and spices.
Why do they call it figgy pudding?
Figee was in fact a dish of fish and curds, which was named figé in Old French, meaning “curdled” (the past participle of the Old French figer). But it too came to mean a “figgy” dish, involving cooked figs, boiled in wine or otherwise.
What mean Merry Christmas?
—used to wish someone an enjoyable Christmas holiday.
What musical form is We Wish You a Merry Christmas?
verse-chorus
Last week in the “Deck the Hall” analysis, I mentioned how carols are often strophic: many verses that repeat form the piece, but “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is perhaps a more familiar form: verse-chorus. Just like most pop music, then, the verses change each time, but the chorus stays the same.
What is hidden in figgy pudding?
Traditionally a silver coin (six pence) was hidden inside the Christmas Pudding. The silver coin brought good fortune to whomever was lucky enough to find it when the pudding was cut.
