Angels we have heard on high - part two
By the 15th century, another old custom had become intertwined - that of "wassailing." Originally a pagan custom, "Waeshael" was an Anglo-Saxon toast - "Be in Health!" - that accompanied groups of revelers as they offered a song and a hot drink from their bowl of cheer in exchange for a gift. Before too many years had passed, "wassailing" and "caroling" took on one identity, intermingling the two.
Adeste Fidelis is known to have been a processional hymn in France around 1700, usually preceding the Midnight Mass. There is some confusion, however, about its progress after that. Most hymn-tunes have a name, which is how they were learned by a musically illiterate congregation. The name for this carol is "Portugese Hymn." Although there are many possible explanations for this title, one of the most charming is that in 1785 or so, the Duke of Leeds, musician and director in his own right, first heard the tune at the Portugese Chapel in London. He liked it so well, he took it home with him to Leeds, presenting it as "The Portugese Hymn." The English translation of the familiar Latin words came nearly a century later.
Everyone knows the story of Silent Night. In 1818, in Oberndorf, Bavaria, the organ of St. Nicholas Church went silent, in need of repairs. There was heavy snow all around, and with no organ, the Midnight Christmas Mass would, of necessity, be silent. In a hurried conference between the vicar, Joseph Möhr, and the organist, Franz Grüber, the dilemma was discussed. The two friends thought that perhaps the best solution might be a new song. Therefore, Möhr wrote some verses, and as he recited the first one, Grüber picked out a melody on his guitar. It was an instant success. When the snows cleared, a few days later, and the organ repairman arrived, he was treated to the story and the song. He was so impressed by the latter that he took a copy of it with him to a family of singers who toured the area. It became so famous so quickly, that even before it could be published and the true authors acknowledged, nearly everyone in Germany could sing the song. It took about 50 years before the rightful authors were rightfully acknowledged as the creators of this universal favorite.
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night has the distinction of being one of the earliest published Christmas hymns, dating to 1592. Although the tune had been popular for many years even before this date, but with other words, it is Nahum Tate's version which has come down to us. He was created Poet Laureate by William III in 1690.
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