Irish Christmas traditions go hand in hand with music. Whether its a traditional carol, a new Celtic lullaby, or a fun jig, these five Christmas songs will make you want to visit Ireland during the holidays.
Wexford Carol (Carúl Loch Garman)
Performed by Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss (2008) Wexford Carol is a traditional religious Irish Christmas Carol about the nativity. The carol originated from Enniscorthy, County Wexford. It is one of the oldest Christmas carols in existence.
Lyrics:
Good people all, this Christmas time, Consider well and bear in mind What our good God for us has done In sending his beloved son With Mary holy we should pray, To God with love this Christmas Day In Bethlehem upon that morn, There was a blessed Messiah born. The night before that happy tide, The noble Virgin and her guide Were long time seeking up and down To find a lodging in the town. But mark right well what came to pass From every door repelled, alas, As was foretold, their refuge all Was but a humble ox's stall. Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep To whom God's angel did appear Which put the shepherds in great fear Arise and go, the angels said To Bethlehem, be not afraid For there you'll find, this happy morn A princely babe, sweet Jesus, born. With thankful heart and joyful mind The shepherds went the babe to find And as God's angel had foretold They did our Saviour Christ behold Within a manger he was laid And by his side a virgin maid Attending on the Lord of Life Who came on earth to end all strife. There were three wise men from afar Directed by a glorious star And on they wandered night and day Until they came where Jesus lay And when they came unto that place Where our beloved Messiah lay They humbly cast them at his feet With gifts of gold and incense sweet. The Lights of Christmas (Soillse Na Nollag) Written and Performed by Atlan
Lyrics:
The lights shine brightly this Christmastide From heart of town to countryside Candle of Christmas alight in the window A guide for Mary, wherever she may go This is the Time of the Star and lights in the sky And calm of Christmas with expectancy draws nigh The rich person and the poor person united as one Await the arrival of Jesus in this world undone Until the brightness of lights the road is before Jesus you will be our sure guide forever more A light of moving brightness other lights but still Your approach Jesus coming to that holy hill Chorus: O Jesus, come to Mary and bless our world anew Stay with us this night that we may come to know you Erase from our lives the ugliness and the hatred Purify the love in our hearts which is oh so tainted
Christmas in Killarney
Performed by Bing Crosby
Lyrics:
The holly green, the ivy green The prettiest picture you've ever seen Is Christmas in Killarney With all of the folks at home It's nice you know, to kiss your beau while cuddling under the mistletoe And Santa Claus, you know of course Is one of the boys from home The door is always open The neighbors pay a call And Father John, before he's gone Will bless the house and all Our Hearts are light, our spirits bright We'll celebrate our joy tonight It's Christmas in Killarney With all of the folks at home [Chorus] The holly green, the ivy green The prettiest picture you've ever seen Is Christmas in Killarney With all of the folks at home It's nice you know, to kiss your beau while cuddling under the mistletoe And Santa Claus, you know of course Is one of the boys from home We'll decorate the Christmas tree While all the family's here Around a roaring fire We will raise a cup of cheer There's gifts to bring and songs to sing And laughs to make the rafters ring It's Christmas in Killarney With all of the folks at home [Chorus] Hey! The holly green, the ivy green The prettiest picture you've ever seen Is Christmas in Killarney With all of the folks at home It's nice you know, to kiss your beau while cuddling under the mistletoe And Santa Claus, you know of course Is one of the boys from home We'll take the Horse and Sleigh All across the fields of snow Listening to the jingle bells And everywhere we go How grand it feels to click your heels And dance away to the jigs and reels It's Christmas in Killarney With all of the folks at home [Chorus] The holly green, the ivy green The prettiest picture you've ever seen I'm handing you no blarney No matter where you roam It's Christmas in Killarney With all of the folks at home
Silent Night (Oiche Chiun)
Performed by Enya
Lyrics:
Oiche chiuin, oiche Mhic De, Cach 'na suan dis araon. Dis is dilse 'faire le speis Naion beag, leanbh ceansa 'gus caomh. Criost, 'na chodladh go samh. Criost, 'na chodladh go samh. Oiche chiuin, oiche Mhic De, Aoiri are dtus chuala 'n sceal. Alleluia aingeal ag glaoch. Cantain suairc i ngar is i gcein. Criost an Slanaitheoir Fein. Criost an Slanaitheoir Fein. Silent night, night of God's son, Everyone is asleep, the pair together. The most faithful pair, watching with hope A little baby, a mild and gentle child. Christ, calmly asleep. Christ, calmly asleep.
Bells Over Belfast
Written and Performed by The Irish Rovers
Lyrics:
Well the antrum hills that are dark and still and the snow is tumblin' down This Christmas time there's hope again for all in Belfast Town With love and understanding we'll find a better way The gift of peace is ours now upon this Christmas day Bells over Belfast How merrily they play Peace and joy be with you On this Christmas day Well the star of light, it filled the night, many years ago When the Magi found the blessed Child who set our hearts aglow And since that day of wonder will live forever more We hail the newborn King of kings who opened the heavens' door Bells over Belfast How merrily they play Peace and joy be with you On this Christmas day It's a rocky road that leads to peace and a road that's hard to find And them that never look for it, they're deaf and dumb and blind People have their customs, religion and their laws But we can stand together now, united in one cause Bells over Belfast How merrily they play Peace and joy be with you On this Christmas day We'll dance and sing the new year in a share a cup of cheer And drink to health and happiness throughout the coming year We'll put our differences aside, our troubles all behind And take a cup of kindness yet for days of auld lang syne Bells over Belfast How merrily they play Peace and joy be with you On this Christmas day Bells over Belfast How merrily they play Peace and joy be with you On this Christmas day
Irish Christmas traditions go hand in hand with music. Whether its a traditional carol, a new Celtic lullaby, or a fun jig, these five Christmas songs will make you want to visit Ireland during the holidays.