Also, it is notably missing from the "The Oxford Book of Carols," published in 1928. It isn't included in the collections of West-countrymen William Sandys (1833) and Davies Gilbert (18), and also from the anthologies of Husk (1864) and Sylvester (1861). However, despite being so revered, the carol is mysteriously absent from some noted collections of music from its contemporary era. In 1961, Arthur's version was republished under the collection titled - "Carols for Choirs." It remains the most performed version of the carol to date. The plural version slowly came into prominence. Instead of "We wish you a Merry Christmas," he used, "I wish you a Merry Christmas." However, that was the only time it was down the years. His original arrangement is especially notable for the usage of "I" in place of "we" in the lyrics. Warrell spent most of his childhood in the rural west country, which offers more fire to this theory.
However, during the period spanning from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, there is no published record of the carol "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." The root of the original verse is speculated to have originated from the west country, possibly Somerset. In December of 1940, it was performed on the radio by "BBC Chorus." Throughout the Second World War and beyond, newspapers have widely attested rave reviews of the carol being performed in Christmas concerts. While a lot is not known about how Warell acquired the song, his arrangement enjoyed mass popularity. In 1939, the year he passed away, he was also granted the copyright to the carol. Warrell's arrangement is widely regarded as the first instance when the score was penned. He put a greater emphasis on English works, which resulted in some composers dedicating their pieces to him. He was also the founder of the Bristol University Madrigal Singers, the Bristol University Orchestra, and the Bristol University Choir. In 1909, he was also appointed as a music teacher at the "Department of Education" at the University of Bristol. He was the chief organist and choirmaster at several Bristol churches, including St. He completed his education at the "Merchant Venturer's Technical College in Bristol," and the "Bristol Cathedral" under the tutelage of Hubert Hunt. It was titled - "A Merry Christmas: West Country Traditional Song."Īrthur Sydney Warrell was born in Farmborough, Somerset, in the year 1883. His intricate four part arrangement of the same was further published by the "Oxford University Press" in the same year. Arthur WarrellĪrthur Warrell is accredited for the wide popularity of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." In 1935, he arranged the tune for his group "Bristol University Madrigal Singers" and subsequently performed it at a concert on the 6th of December. The church-going public collaborated in a desperate attempt to save the traditional songs - going from door to door and performing them in the Victorian era. The Protestant Oliver Cromwell had played a key in this, banning all Christmas carols between the period of 1647-1660. The carol has quite a colorful history, reflecting on the witty carolers of the Victorian era and their inclination towards a traditional "Christmas dessert." It is also connected to the regeneration of the tradition known as "caroling," a practice that was banned in the churches during the Middle Ages. However, its origins are widely believed to be in the sixteenth century, where it was dedicated to carolers who performed for the entertainment of the rich and powerful. The identity of the author and composer of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" remains a mystery to date. However, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," along with some other carols, broke the established order, offering more of a humorous twist.
The traditional Christmas carols generally evoke a deep religious aura.
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