Top 10 Best English Christmas Songs

The soft and tranquil melodies of Silent Night resonate on Christmas Eve, touching the deepest corners of your soul, lifting you to heavenly heights:

"Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace"

(A peaceful night, a holy night. Everything is calm and glowing. Around here, Mother Mary gazes upon her infant, the tiny, tender Son, so warm and sweet... Sleeping in peaceful tranquility. Sleeping in peaceful tranquility...)

This is one of the oldest Christmas carols. The original version of Silent Night, titled Stille Nacht, was written by an Austrian priest in 1817. In 1839, composer John Freeman translated it into English and performed it for the first time at a church in St. Nicholas, Austria. Immediately, Silent Night became a beloved carol sung in churches around the world.

In 1905, the Haydn Quartet recorded the song for the first time, and it was subsequently performed by various other bands globally. Notably, in 2011, the song was recognized by UNESCO as an “intangible cultural heritage masterpiece.” The version of "Silent Night" performed by child opera singer Jackie Evancho would be an excellent choice for those seeking a moment of quiet reflection during the end-of-year festivities.

The lively and festive sounds of this song will instantly fill the air with the Christmas spirit.

Passing by any church during the holiday season, you can hear this cheerful tune echoing through the voices of children and young people. The birth of Christ not only brings joy to the faithful but to all of humanity!

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and Heaven and nature sing"

"Joy to the World" was created in 1719. By the late 20th century, it became the most popular Christmas carol sung in North America.

One of the most famous recordings of this carol is the orchestral version conducted by Percy Faith, first recorded in 1954 for the “Music of Christmas” LP (Columbia CL 588), and again in 1959 (Columbia 8176).

The melancholic and soulful melody of "Last Christmas" is unforgettable during each Christmas season. The song is tied to a sad love story, a pain that remains unresolved during the festive time. But above all, the young man rises above his heartache to find a new love he truly deserves:

"A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover but you tore him apart
Now I've found a real love you'll never fool me again"

(A lover's face with a fire in his heart, a man “in hiding,” but you cast him aside. Now, I've found true love, and you won't deceive me again.)

"Last Christmas" was written by George Michael in 1984 and quickly became the top-selling Christmas single in the UK that year. To this day, “Last Christmas” is one of the most covered songs by young artists, with numerous recordings in various styles released each year.

The song is like a joyful cheer, a whispering murmur from nature, from creatures, and from humanity. They share the joyous news of the birth of the Son of God, coming together to praise Him:

"Do you hear what I hear
Said the night wind to the little lamb,
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite..."

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" was originally written in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, during the Cold War. The song conveys a message of peace for “all people,” amid the growing fears of a potential nuclear attack in the United States.

"I'll have a Blue Christmas without you. I'll be so blue thinking about you.

Decorations of red on a green Christmastree won't be the same, if you're not here with me.

And when those blue snowflakes start fallin, and when those blue melodies start callin, you'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white.

But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue..."

(Không có anh,em sẽ trải qua một Giáng Sinh buồn. Em sẽ rất buồn khi nghĩ đến anh. Những vật trang trí rực rỡ trên cây thông xanh kia cũng sẽ như em, nếu anh không ở đây bên em. Và khi những bông hoa tuyết ngoài kia bắt đầu rơi xuống, và khi những điệu hát buồn kia bắt đầu cất lên, anh sẽ ổn thôi, với một lễ Giáng Sinh trắng. Nhưng em sẽ rất buồn, buồn, buồn, buồn lắm...).

Trái tim của bạn sẽ tan chảy khi nghe những thanh âm và ca từ da diết này. Không một chàng trai, cô gái nào có thể lặng yên khi bạn gửi những lời này đến họ, nếu như người ấy còn chút tình cảm với bạn. Giáng Sinh sắp về, mong những đôi bạn trẻ sẽ hạnh phúc sánh bước bên nhau trong những ngôi thánh đường, biết trân trọng niềm hạnh phúc của mình khi nghe những lời ca thấm đẫm nỗi buồn này.

"Blue Christmas” được mệnh danh là bản nhạc Noel hay nhất thế giới, được viết bởi Billy Hayes và Jay W. Johnson. Phiên bản đầu tiên của ca khúc được trình bày bởi ca sĩ Ernest Tubb vào tháng 01/1950, và chỉ sau một tuần ra mắt đã giành vị trí số 1 trên bảng xếp hạng Billboard.

Ngoài ra, các phiên bản thu lại của Winterhalter và Morgan cũng lần lượt đạt vị trí thứ 9 và 11 trên bảng xếp hạng uy tín Billboard.

This song is often heard at the end of Christmas parties. The joy and afterglow of the season linger long after the final notes fade away:

"We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!"

We Wish You a Merry Christmas is a popular Christmas carol commonly played worldwide, originating from the West Country of England around the 16th century. More than 500 years later, its warm, meaningful, and sweet melodies continue to be passed down, never losing their charm.

The song is often arranged in various versions. Many artists have recorded it, but there isn't one definitive or particularly famous version of the song. We Wish You a Merry Christmas is for everyone, serving as a festive greeting and wish for a joyful holiday season and a prosperous new year.

"So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year is over
A new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young..."

(This is Christmas Day, and what have you accomplished? Another year has passed, and a new one is beginning. And so, this is Christmas, I hope you enjoy it, with friends, family, the old and the young.)

The song’s message goes beyond just the joy of Christmas, offering a message of hope, peace for all humanity, and wishing that the painful times of war may pass, allowing people to live without fear. This is the greatest gift that the Christ child offers to the world.

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) was written in the 1970s. Through this song, John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, called for people to oppose unjust wars, hoping that everyone could experience a peaceful Christmas, just as the song’s title suggests.

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) is considered one of the most meaningful and beautiful Christmas songs. The song reached number 4 in the UK charts after its release. In 1980, following John Lennon’s death, it returned to the UK Singles Chart at number 2, later reappearing eight more times, but never surpassing number 2.

When the high, clear notes of O Holy Night echo through churches around the world, you’ll truly feel the sacred significance of Christmas for Christians. O Holy Night (translated as "The Holy Night") is a Christmas carol from the 19th century.

The melodies are tender and deep, rising at times to such heights that they seem to lift the listener into the stars, joining the angels in praising God. As such, it is one of the most frequently sung Christmas hymns and an essential part of every Christmas celebration.

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees"

Today, O Holy Night is no longer just a simple Christmas song. Due to its vocal complexity and emotional depth, it has become a favorite challenge for solo performances. Celine Dion is no exception. Her stunning rendition in the album These Are Special Times (1998) left an indelible mark on her career.

"The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!"

(On the first Christmas, the angels proclaimed to a group of poor shepherds in the fields where they tended their sheep, on a cold winter's night... Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, the King of Israel was born!)

The soothing and pure sounds of "The First Noel" convey the joy of both the angels and mankind upon the peaceful birth of the Prince. The lyrics recount the story told by the angels and the shepherds about the joyful news of God’s Second Person descending to Earth. One can truly feel the joy and holiness when listening to this song inside a church on Christmas Day.

"The First Noel" is a famous folk song that originated in the 16th century. Both England and France claim its origin, but the term "Noel" suggests it may have roots in France. However, historical evidence shows that the song actually comes from Cornwall, England. It is one of the earliest Christmas carols still cherished today.