The history of how a folk song got here to be referred to as the Sussex Carol is surprising and interesting. How did it change into the favored Christmas carol it’s today, and why have thousands and thousands of individuals worldwide resonated with it a lot emotionally and spiritually?
What Are the Lyrics of the Sussex Carol?
As discussed below, the origin of many aged hymns could be very complicated. We can’t all the time determine who the unique composer was. However, we do have a record of the trendy lyrics to the Sussex Carol:
On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring
On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bringNews of great joy, news of great mirth
News of our merciful King’s birthThen why should men on earth be so sad?
Since our Redeemer made us glad
Then why should men on earth be so sad?
Since our Redeemer made us gladWhen from our sin he set us free
All for to realize our liberty?When sin departs before His grace
Then life and health come as a replacement
When sin departs before His grace
Then life and health come as a replacementAngels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the newborn KingAll out of darkness we’ve light
Which made the angels sing tonight
All out of darkness we’ve light
Which made the angels sing tonight“Glory to God and peace to men
Now and for evermore, amen!”
Who Wrote the Sussex Carol?
Historical evidence sometimes gives the unique source for a hymn, but for probably the most part, this will not be normally the case. Many songs and carols begin as stories passed from generation to generation after which change into popularized by well-known musicians.
We can say who recorded the trendy lyrics above. The English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams first heard the melody in 1904 when he discovered singer Harriet Verrall singing it. Vaughan was obsessed with Christmas and saw that many great Christmas folk songs were passed down through English oral tradition but were often forgotten or modified form. He gathered a compilation of those songs and transcribed them so that they can be preserved.
English musician Cecil Sharp helped Vaughan together with his creative project. Sharp was born in London in 1859 and studied at Cambridge University. In 1899, Sharp discovered folk dance and have become a pioneering figure in the people music movement. Sharp is referred to as the founding father of the folk movement in England. Out of this movement got here many famous folk songs corresponding to The Lark Ascending and A Sea Symphony. William studied piano, orchestration, and music composition in his music education on the Royal College of Music in London, Trinity College in Cambridge, and Berlin and Paris.
How Old Is the Sussex Carol?
Although Sharp was the primary person to print the trendy Sussex Carol’s lyrics, its source is a folk song that likely goes back many generations before its first recorded appearance.
Its earliest recorded lyrics appear in a book published in 1684 by Irish bishop Luke Wadding called The Small Garland of Pious and Godly Songs. Scholars have no idea if Wadding originally wrote the lines or in the event that they were his rendition. Revised editions of the book were published in 1728 and 1731. This book greatly influenced the county of Wexford in Ireland but had a bigger impact: its songs played in churches and cathedrals throughout Europe.
Wadding was born right into a large family in Wexford, Ireland, in 1588. During his youth, Wadding learned Latin and Catholic catechism, read the classics, and showed promise as a author. In 1651, Wadding left Ireland to pursue a profession in France, where he lived for 17 years and have become an ordained Roman Catholic priest. In 1668, Wadding received his Doctor of Divinity from the Sorbonne. Wadding returned to Ireland and served the County Wexford community as a bishop. He died in 1687.
Because of Wadding and William’s love for poetry, hymns, and carols, the Sussex Carol became a widely known hymn sung in churches, cathedrals, and Christmas parties. It continues to be a well-liked hymn proclaiming the love of Christ.
Does the Sussex Carol Quote Any Bible Verses?
Though the Sussex Carol doesn’t explicitly quote any verses from The Bible, it does convey the theological virtue of hope found throughout the biblical narrative. The carol conveys the long-anticipated arrival of Jesus’ Incarnation and salvation available to all people through His Death and Resurrection.
The festive season of Christmas is central to Sussex Carol’s theme of Christ coming to dwell in our hearts. Today, Christmas is commonly seen as a special time for families and friends to assemble to exchange gifts and have day without work from work. For Christians, Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ—something that the church has celebrated a minimum of as early as 336 AD.
The Incarnation of the Son of God had been anticipated for 1000’s of years and located in Old Testament prophetic texts corresponding to Isaiah 9:6, “For a baby is born unto us, a son hath been given unto us, and the federal government is placed on his shoulders; and his name known as, Wonderful, counselor of the mighty God, of the everlasting Father, the prince of peace.”
While we regularly assume Christ was born within the 12 months we all know as 0 AD, scholars like N.T. Wright note that the medieval dating system is off by a handful of years. So Jesus was probably born between 4 and 6 BC.
A poignant New Testament passage present in Luke 2:9-12 in regards to the coming of Christ makes a daring proclamation when the angel Gabriel appears to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, they usually were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you excellent news that can cause great joy for all of the people. Today, within the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he’s the Messiah, the Lord. This will probably be an indication to you: You will discover a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Many people assumed the Messiah’s arrival would result in a triumphant military campaign against the Romans. They predicted that the savior would overthrow people and cleanse the temple for the worship of Yahweh. Contrary to this view, Christ was the suffering servant to redeem humanity. The reality that the God who created time, space, and human beings would rescue all his children just because He loves them is the last word display of humility and agape love.
The Bible expresses hope from the autumn of humanity through the Old Testament prophets to the gospel writers and letters written by St. Paul within the New Testament. This hope, offered through Christ’s redemption, will not be wishful considering but the best gift offered to all of humanity. In our confused world where we yearn for hope, hymns just like the Sussex Carol is usually a balm to the soul of those in search of hope in Christ.
Similar Christmas Hymns to the Sussex Carol
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- Once In Royal David’s City
- There Is A Flower
- Herefordshire Carol
- On Christmas Night Christians Sing
- O Holy Night
- Silent Night
- Joy to The World
- The First Noel
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
Photo Credit:©Getty Images/Losw
Justin Wiggins is an creator who works and lives within the primitive, majestic, beautiful mountains of North Carolina. He graduated together with his Bachelor’s in English Literature, with a deal with C.S. Lewis studies, from Montreat College in May 2018. His first book was Surprised by Agape, published by Grant Hudson of Clarendon House Publications. His second book, Surprised By Myth, was co-written with Grant Hudson and published in 2021. Many of his recent books (Marty & Irene, Tír na nÓg, Celtic Twilight, Celtic Song, Ragnarok, Celtic Dawn) are published by Steve Cawte of Impspired.
Wiggins has also had poems and other short pieces published by Clarendon House Publications, Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, and Sweetycat Press. Justin has a terrific zeal for all times, work, community, writing, literature, art, pubs, bookstores, coffee shops, and for England, Scotland, and Ireland.
This article is a component of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered across the events leading as much as the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles assist you understand the meaning and story behind vital Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you’re taking time to reflect on all that God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ!
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Christmas Bible Verses & Scripture Story
What is Christmas? True Meaning and Holiday History
Christmas Eve History and Traditions
Why Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?
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Where Was Jesus Born?
