Instrumental Christmas Music for Children
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It’s never too early to start getting into the holiday spirit! Check out our list of the best instrumental Christmas music for children. From classics like “Jingle Bells” to more modern tunes like “All I Want for Christmas is You,” there’s something for everyone on this list.
Christmas Songs for Children
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and of course, music. There are so many great Christmas songs out there, but what about the little ones? Music is such an important part of Christmas, and it’s a great way to get the little ones involved. Here are some of our favorite Instrumental Christmas songs for children.
Jingle Bells
“Jingle Bells” is one of the best-known and commonly sung American Christmas songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont (1822–93) and published under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh” in the autumn of 1857. Although it has been claimed that Pierpont wrote the song in Medford, Massachusetts, most sources state that he composed it while living in Savannah, Georgia, where he was organist at Plymouth Church.
The song was first recorded by the Edison Male Quartette in 1898 on an Edison cylinder as part of a Christmas medley entitled “Sleigh Ride Party”.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
One of the most popular traditional Christmas songs, We Wish You a Merry Christmas is perfect for singalongs, performances, and general holiday cheer. This arrangement by Michael Comeau stays true to the original while adding a few fun twists, making it a great choice for beginning ensembles.
Silent Night
“Silent Night” (German: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011. The song has been recorded by a huge number of singers from every music genre.
The original lyrics of the song “Stille Nacht” were written in German by Joseph Mohr, a young priest who was assigned to a church in Oberndorf, Austria, in 1816. Mohr wrote the words to the poem “Stille Nacht” on Christmas Eve 1816, at Clemens Maria Brentano’s request; Brentano had asked for a new Christmas carol to be composed with guitar accompaniment for his friend Gremper, who played guitar.[4][5] The text relates the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Instrumental Christmas Music for Children
Christmas is a wonderful time of year where family, friends, and loved ones come together to celebrate. What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with some festive music? Here are some great instrumental Christmas songs for children that are sure to get everyone in the mood for celebrating!
The First Noel
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.
Deck the Halls
“Deck the Halls” is a Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the carol were written in English by Thomas Oliphant. The melody is Welsh, dating back to the sixteenth century, and belongs to a winter carol, “Nos Galan”, first published in 1745. Though it is unknown who composed the melody, it is clear that it has been adapted from an existing Welsh melody. The first known printed version of “Deck the Halls” was published in Wales in 1744.
Joy to the World
One of the most popular Christmas carols of all time, “Joy to the World” was written by Isaac Watts in 1719. The song’s original lyrics are based on Psalm 98 in the Bible, specifically verses 9 and 10, which read:
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
break into song; sing praise.
Sing praise to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and melodious song.”
“Joy to the World” was first published in 1719 in a compilation of Watts’ works called The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of Music. The melody for “Joy to the World” was composed by George Friedrich Handel in 1741 and was originally part of his oratorio Messiah. It wasn’t until 1839 that “Joy to the World” became associated with Christmas when it appeared in a collection of shape note tunes called The Harmony of Connecticut.
