The Best Christmas Carols Representing Peace to Play for a Christmas Gathering

Wars always come and go, return, or ultimately head to the brink of reality. 2010 was one of those years taking us to the brink side again in more ways than just relations with other countries. As much as peace likes to get celebrated and seems so easy to attain by decree of logic and songs old and new, it really is miles out there on the roadway of our lives. The only real time of the year when it seems to come to a point where it's demanded is during the Christmas season. Though it doesn't always hold in the arena of international politics, it does seem to hold in many an individual household.

But how do you reflect that when you have a bevy of guests in your home for a Christmas party or an even larger bevy of family for Christmas Eve/Day?

The chances are close to inevitable that at least some weighty issues for 2010 or any year are going to be broached at a Christmas get-together with friends or family. While that might lead to arguments that should be amended or prevented through a different article I wrote (see Resource 1), the only other way to keep a Christmas gathering unified without specifics is through the art of music.

Before we go there, let's make it clear that I know doing a sing-along at a Christmas get-together isn't going to be workable for every person. However, even if you personally can't sing or play an instrument, the odds are good someone in your family or group of friends will. If they do, have them follow my lead.

Should you be a musician, consider playing or singing these four peaceful carols at the end of your Christmas party for a guaranteed memorable conclusion to the evening. They'll also provide a calming symbolic wrap to a year of trials and tribulation:

"Let There Be Peace on Earth"

This song wasn't even intended to be a Christmas song when written by wife-husband songwriting team Jill Jackson and Sy Miller in 1955. Moreover, it was intended as strictly a peace song for a meeting of schoolchildren from around the world during an educational event held in California. It ultimately broke the mold for the peace movement that was still a long ten to fifteen years away. The song also created a new method of marketing that's still effective today: Word of mouth.

Subsequently, all those school kids from around the world made the song an earworm and passed it on to the adults in their respective countries around the world. Within a few years, it was an international song of peace that was eventually assimilated into every event, holiday and organization you can name with an act of peace or goodwill behind it. Arguably, it's also had more covers than "The Christmas Song" by every vocalist of the last fifty years.

A snap judgment might say that the song is beyond the scope of an average sing-along due to requiring a high range in the brief connective bridge to the last verse of the song (i.e. "To take each moment..."). Regardless if you already know the vocal limitations of your guests, keep the song in a lower key all the way through so everybody can stay within a comfortable range.

Keep in mind that before you get to that emotional last verse, you have three lengthy verses beforehand that stay within the middle range. To create the most effective ambiance during a group sing-a-long, have three people in the group take turns singing each verse alone with your accompaniment--followed by singing in unison on the final verse. Preferably, a piano or guitar accompaniment played gently is ideal to set the right mood.

You can find the lyrics to "Let There Be Peace on Earth" here:

http://www.jan-leemusic.com/Site/Copyrighted_Lyrics.html

"The Coventry Carol"

Here you have another carol that wasn't originally intended for Christmas, yet ended up that way anyway due to its referencing of a haunting biblical event. Its origins are unsurprisingly British based on its Gaelic sound and used initially as part of songs employed in biblical plays produced during the 1500's. With no direct reference to Jesus, the carol focuses instead on the harrowing slaughter of innocent children under the hand of King Herod during the time of Christ.

While this may not be understood initially as a carol of peace, it can still be taken that way today based on the mirroring of today's times and the meditative nature of the music (that came from an unknown writer). The entire piece is repetitive and stays within a comfortable range all the way through. But the lyrics have changed considerably over the centuries. It's best to pick a modern interpretation due to the likelihood of 1500's British English confusing the majority at your party.

You can find the modern lyrics here:

http://www.carols.org.uk/a11-coventry-carol.htm

Keep this carol as gentle as possible, or close to lullaby form for the best effect. A guitar accompaniment is preferable if even an option of singing a cappella. Set aside the females of your party to let them sing this in unison or taking turns on each verse. So far, a male voice hasn't been attached to the carol, though it's worth experimenting.

"The Wassail Song"

Everybody knows this one and might seem like an overly jubilant piece for the theme of the carols. Nevertheless, you need to have something a little lighter in your set of carols after the gravity of the previous two. Also known as "Here We Come A-Wassailing (or Caroling)", this traditional English carol sets a happier mood of goodwill, hence fostering a sense of peace.

The charm and history of it is simple and to the point: Wassailing went from the act of pouring acid on trees for the fostering of fertility to people going door-to-door and singing for the health of every household. It's appropriate in a year when not every household has goodwill within their walls.

Everybody can sing in unison on this one with any type of accompaniment. You can also allow several verses to turn into an instrumental solo. Even though it's British, you can easily go off on an Irish jig tangent for a few bars without offending anyone.

Try ending the song with its alternate end chorus of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas":

http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/wassail_song-2.htm

"Silent Night" (with "Night of Silence")

There can't be any better way to represent a sense of peace than with the Austrian favorite "Silent Night", or as a closer on a program. Out of all the hundreds of recordings of it by artists past and present, it's clear the carol was left open to personal preferences. It's been adapted into many languages over the years, despite its origins from 1800's Austria, and works well in most tongues.

"Silent Night" in English may be preferable at an American Christmas gathering. However, if you have a crowd who can speak several languages, try singing the repeat chorus in various languages, especially from currently troubled regions of the world.

As an add-on, try singing the more recent hymn "Night of Silence" simultaneously with "Silent Night." If you haven't heard of this, it was written by Daniel Kantor in 1984 as a sung hymn that can be effectively combined with "Silent Night" as a means of more harmonic and lyrical depth. (See Resource 2) If Kantor's name sounds familiar, he happens to be the creator of Coda Music Software that publishes the world-popular composing software, Finale.

The effect of the two played in a quiet manner with a group of singers doesn't usually fail to bring a quiet reverence to a room. Despite it only lasting a few minutes, the purpose of bringing a sense of tranquility for any length of time during your gathering will be a success.

And as the best way to create a sense of peace, make it a natural progression rather than a forced one.

References:

http://www.jan-leemusic.com/Site/History.html

http://www.lizlyle.lofgrens.org/RmOlSngs/RTOS-CoventryCarol.html

http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/wassail_song-1.htm

Resources:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2425576/how_to_get_along_with_your_family_for.html?cat=74

http://www.danielkantor.com/night-of-silence.html