Publishing Glad Tidings

An assortment of essays on Christmas carols, this book covers the pioneer collectors, adapters, translators, compilers, and historians. There is also a section on obscure carols, and an essay on the carol as a cultural phenomenon. Most of the book is occupied by what the authors call essays (I would call them sketches) on personalities who have illuminated the world of carols since 1521 ‐ one that has survived is the famous Boar’s Head Carol. The earliest collection mentioned is Piae Cantiones (1582), a set of 73 Latin hymns and carols with attendant tunes. This volume originated in Sweden...