Christmas Around the World
Living in the United States, we’re accustomed to spinning a set Christmas classics year in and year out. Of course, our reigning queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, can be heard belting through the halls of any Macy’s or Kroger. Americans consume Nat King Cole’s Christmas discography like a nostalgic comfort food. Indeed, the repertoire of American Christmas is well-worn and weathered. So, this year, in the spirt of trying something new, I’ve taken some time to explore Christmas tunes from around the world and share them with you.
In the Francophone regions, you might be privy to songs like “Petit Papa Noël.” This secular Christmas classic, which dates back to the Second World War, originated as a child’s prayer expressing a desire for his father to return home. In 1944, singer Tino Rossi rewrote the lyrics, removing allusions to war, and making this a prayer that Santa Class bless the singer’s home with gifts. It is worth listening to Tino Rossi’s version of this song, as well as Celine Dion’s and Josh Groban’s.
“El Burrito de Belén” (The Little Donkey from Bethlehem) is a song from Venezuela written by Hugo Blanco for the 1972 Christmas season. Accompanied by the Venezuelan Children’s Choir, Venezuelan folk sing Simon Diaz recorded the song first. The song is widely known in Latin America and has since been recorded by Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes (who has 26 Latin Grammys) and America’s own Aloe Blacc.
A Nigerian carol called “Betelehemu” is sung either a cappella or with optional percussion like conga, bongos, or tambourines. The original Yoruba text is sung throughout with a repetitive focus on Betelehemu, which is Yoruba for Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. The major harmonies are gorgeous and the harmonic focus is a nice change up from the 7th chords that dominate American Christmas music. It is celebratory and gorgeous.
If you’re feeling like Christmas music has gotten a little stale, I highly recommend reaching beyond the American canon to discover how cultures around the world celebrate this wintry holiday in song.
