Book of Carols, The Penguin - Softcover

Various

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140275266 ISBN 13: 9780140275261

Publisher: Penguin Books, 2000

Synopsis

Unlike its more pristine relation, the hymn, the carol has an earthy and exuberant heritage derived from folk dances and pagan festivals. Carols are associated with festive occasions that often involve eating and drinking, and there have even been attempts to ban them in earlier centuries. Ian Bradley's expansive collection of carols explores the richness of the genre both chronologically and geographically, placing each carol in its historical context, from the fifteenth century to the 1990s, and covering every variety of carol, from African-American spirituals and Caribbean calypso to old favorites such as "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Away in a Manger". Here are enthralling anecdotes, long-lost verses, and tidings of comfort and joy for all.

About this title

Review:

The Penguin Book of Carols, edited by Ian Bradley, is a collection of 100 carols, dating back as early as the 1400s. Bradley, a lecturer in practical theology at St. Andrews University in Scotland, begins the book with a short survey of the history of the carol, tracing its origins to folk dances and pagan celebrations. He describes the pivotal role played by St. Francis in "Christianizing the carol," the carol's fall from grace during the Puritan Reformation (when Oliver Cromwell tried to outlaw their singing), and the recovery of carol-singing as a central aspect of Christmas celebrations by the strenuously sentimental Victorians.

The bulk of the book, however, consists of short introductions to and full transcriptions of song lyrics for carols ranging from the old and forgotten (the 15th century "Boar's Head Carol," which extols the pleasures of eating and drinking, with a cameo appearance by Christ) to the new but obscure (the 20th century "Cowboy Carol," whose refrain of "yoi-yippee!" is mighty catchy). All of the standards are here, too, and Bradley's brief accounts of the evolution of popular tunes, such as "Joy to the World" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain," will add some depth to the exuberant experience of belting them out. The one regrettable shortcoming of this book is that its lyrics are not accompanied by musical manuscripts, which could have helped readers to appreciate better some of the book's more obscure carols. Despite this weakness, The Penguin Book of Carols steadfastly reminds readers of the very most important thing about singing Christmas carols: they're fun. --Michael Joseph Gross

About the Author:

Ian Bradley was educated at Oxford University and worked for the BBC. After studying theology at St. Andrews University, Scotland, he was ordained into the ministry of the Church of Scotland and appointed head of religious broadcasting for BBC Scotland. He is currently senior lecturer in practical theology at St. Andrews University. Bradley has written more than twenty books, ranging in subject matter from theology to drama to politics, and has compiled several radio programs on hymns and carols.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0140275266
• ISBN 13: 9780140275261
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 152