Why Was the Partridge in the Pear Tree?: The History of Christmas Carols

by Mark Lawson-Jones, Dominic Walker (Foreword)

The hidden stories and fascinating facts behind favorite Christmas carols

 

Who was Good King Wenceslas? What are the pagan origins behind The Holly and the Ivy? Discover the hidden stories behind best-loved Christmas carols, from their earliest incarnations in the Middle Ages and their banning under the Puritans to the carols that united soldiers on the Western Front during World War I. This fascinating book charts the history of one of Christmas' longest-running traditions and is sure to appeal to all those who love the festive season.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, History, Music, Holiday

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all as a general heads-up this book is not a full guide to every single carol out there and those that it does focus on tend to be the older, more religious-tone songs. As a result there will probably be some readers who may be disappointed with the content.

As for the actual book the first three chapters explores the history of Christmas and its traditional singing while also exploring other related groups to carolers. Even though it is interesting it does set the tone for the following chapters.

The book when it does get to the few songs in which the author explores their history and meaning are set-up the same. Each chapter begins off with a copy of the lyrics of the song so that readers get a nice reminder of the songs they know and get a chance to learn the ones they don't.

From there the book dives into exploring the history of the song, possible meanings to the lyrics and how different adaptations have come around. This information is sometimes provided in a dull style but at the same time there are small treasures to enjoy about the information given and an inside look into how carols can join enemies together.

What bothered me about the book, though, was the fact that the author also chose to give a lot more information about the individual behind a song. As a result you get not only a historical summary of the song but a biography. Although this may attract to some readers I thought it was out of place and would have liked to have seen some more carols included.

To me it was a nice little introductory book and a nice quick read all at the same time. With the cheerful ending this would make for a nice Christmas read for those who enjoy the older Christmas songs.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book that gives the history of about several Christmas carols that depending on your personal background , you may or may not be familiar with. Or at least familiar by its original name. O Come All Ye Faithful is likely better known than it's original name of Adeste Fideles.

There is talk of the history of the custom of Wassailing along with the Welsh Mari Lwyd (the Grey Mare). An actual short history of who Wenceslas was and why he's considered a 'good king'. The twelve days of Christmas was originally likely a memory game as well as a Christian catechism teaching tool although this theory is considered flawed by several historians.

There are several mistakes - Puritans are called royalists in one instance - along with typographical errors. The photos or illustrations are basically too small for an electronic book or too dark - really, that's a photo of holly..??

Although it's interesting and certainly short, it is a bit heavy on the Christian aspects of the ones the writer decided to choose.

2022-066

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the simplicity and honesty of Reverend Lawson-Jones' writing. Each chapter (fairly short) depicted a different song and its history in an informative snapshot that didn't leave me hanging. I was really impressed with how the author flat out admitted that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" has two possible histories, and he wasn't pushing for one or the other but rather stated the facts and wrote that it could be either/or.

A great and easy read for Christmas! I wish he could have covered more carols!

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little book on various Christmas Carols and their history. As others have said it tends to focus on older ones so I was a bit disappointed several of the ones I was interested in were not included but those that were I found interesting, and the background on carols themselves and how they were fought by the Puritans at one point. The chapters are short and easy to get through and while some sections/carols that I didn't know well didn't hold much interest, overall I learned some new history and enjoyed the book.

[Oli Turner]

Getting in the festive spirit already. #whywasthepartridgeinthepeartree? by reverend #marklawsonjones published in 2011 is a charming but sadly all too brief book providing some interesting background and context to some wonderful Christmas carols. Including full lyrics. The answer to the question in the title of the book seems to be “because it is french.”

[Cathy Hodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historic photos and origin stories about Christmas songs. There are many appropriations of Pagan holiday rituals, mis-translations of old languages, anti-religious propaganda, and war/protest songs. This book is bias toward the British hymns and not quite favorable to the French songs. Interesting. Enjoy.

[Todayiamadaisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief, workmanlike history of selected Christmas carols. Interesting and informative, albeit containing the outrageous assertion that "the most famous carol of all time" is "Once in Royal David's City". It's "Silent Night", surely?

[Holly]

Not a bad little history of Christmas carols - primarily the more religious ones as the author is a minister. There were a couple I had never even heard of and was surprised they were hailed as so famous - but maybe they are to regular church goers

[Nancy Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast and interesting read about the history of Christmas Carols. I enjoyed it and read it over a couple of hours. Lots of interesting facts about Carols.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of this was pretty dry but there were several interesting parts that made it worth the read. O Come All Ye Faithful and the Jacobite rising of 1745? Who knew?

[Chanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very interesting history

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. Weird British carols I’ve never heard of

[Amber Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable read this time of year. 3.5

[mpdg · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf

[Stephen Epp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting dive into some of the classics! Who knew wassailing was pretty much a drink-a-thon and obviously the partridges references are French and not British!

[Redfox5 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never really thought much about the history behind Christmas Carols. Even though I'm not religious in any way, I still enjoy singing them. Some of my favorites are in here. O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night and Good King Wenceslas. It's strange that I only know the first verses to most of them, we used to sing them over and over at school. Some of the history was quiet interesting, I liked the part about the English and German soldiers singing together in the war. The last Carol 'In the Bleak Midwinter' I had never heard off but I had heard of it's writer, Christina Rossetti. I read her book 'Goblin Market and other poems' earlier in the year. Can't say I cared for it much :/.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little history of some favorite Christmas carols. The author is enthusiastic about the topic and clearly had fun writing the book. It's not the best written book in the world. You get the sense this is the result of some serious hobbying (not a word? Should be). Lawson-Jones wisely stayed away from 20th century carols, most of which are abominations that cause desolation (looking at you, All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth and I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas).

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable history of some of our best known Christmas Carols - easy read and informative

[Adam Sockel · Rating 3 out of 5]

heavy on the religious history (which makes sense) and a bit dry but interesting if you enjoy this sort of thing.