Pagan Christmas songs refer to a unique category of music that combines elements of both pagan and Christian traditions. These songs often incorporate themes and symbolism from ancient pagan celebrations and myths, while also embracing the Christian narrative of the birth of Jesus Christ. Pagan Christmas songs have grown in popularity in recent years as people seek to connect with the diverse cultural heritage surrounding the holiday season. One of the most well-known pagan Christmas songs is "Deck the Halls." This song originated from a Welsh melody and was later adapted with English lyrics. The lyrics mention traditions such as decorating with holly and singing and reveling, which have pagan origins.
The words and music of Christmas carols were not always written at the same time. The music for Ding Dong Merrily on High dates back to the mid-1500s but the lyrics are from the 1800s. The tune for Good King Wenceslas is a medieval dance tune from the 1200s, while the words were written in the 1800s.
In Charles Dickens 1854 short story The Seven Poor Travellers he describes a group of musicians performing in a town one winter s evening As I passed along the High Street, I heard the Waits at a distance, and struck off to find them. Gain a global view of key events and decode their impact on business, politics and beyond with updates and analysis from our worldwide network of 700 journalists.
The lyrics mention traditions such as decorating with holly and singing and reveling, which have pagan origins. Another famous pagan Christmas song is "The Holly and the Ivy," which is believed to have pagan origins and describes the symbolism of holly and ivy during the winter solstice. Many pagan Christmas songs also draw from Norse mythology and the tradition of Yule, a pre-Christian festival celebrated during the winter solstice.
Top Twenty Songs to Sing at Yule
As a Wiccan and a music teacher, one of my favorite things about the holiday season are singing holiday songs. While some people enjoy them, there’s nothing that bothers me more than Christmas songs that have had their lyrics changed to Pagan words. I think we have many other options of both traditional and original music that there really is no need for it. Here is a list of songs you can sing during Yule. I have also created a playlist for them all on YouTube so you can play through them to set a holiday atmosphere this Yule!
Traditional “Christmas” carols that are really Pagan
1.Deck the Halls – Most people think of it as a Christmas song, but there is no mention of Christ or Christmas. The lyrics of the first verse portray decorating the house with Holly, wearing festive clothes, and singing carols. The second verse refers to the Yule log and “Yuletide treasure”. This is definitely a Pagan song.
2. Here We Come A-Wassailing – This “Christmas” song is about the tradition of wassailing in Great Britain. It stems from the idea that fuedal lords shared their exceeds with the peasents. Most people think of the holiday tradition of wassailing where people go caroling from house to house and are given wassail to drink. There are also traditions in cider producing regions of England that are more in line with Mabon where they crown a king and queen who bless the fruit to ensure a good apple harvest.
3. Boar’s Head Carol – This lesser-known carol gives the details of a feast featuring a boar. There are a few Latin phrases, but none of them really translate to anything related to Christmas.
4. O Tannenbaum – Most people think tannenbaum translates to “Christmas Tree”, but it really means fir tree or pine tree. The rest of the carol talks about how the tree stays green all year round and how beautiful the tree is. How Pagan can you get?
5. The Holly and the Ivy – It is very clear that this song was originally Pagan. The entire first verse is full of nature references . It mentions the rising of the sun, a popular Solstice theme. It also references the battle between the Holly King and the Oak King, though he is referred to as the ivy in this song. For example, “of all the trees that are in the woods, the Holly wears the crown.” Only the subsequent verses are Christian in nature, leading us to believe they were added to the song after the fact. The comparisons of the holly to Mary and the Christ child in the following verses are really a pretty far stretch. We don’t have any historical evidence that I am aware of with other lyrics for the other verses, but I think that the first verse does well on its own.
Honorable mentions: Patapan – Who can resist a carol with Pan in the title? It’s mostly about celebrating with music. There is a mention of Noel in the original language, which could translate to either Christmas or Yule, though all of the modern English versions opt to use Christmas. Another honorable mention: In The Bleak Midwinter – the first verse is full of beautiful winter imagery, but the rest is all about Christ. All of the lyrics were written at the same time, so it was definitely intended to be a Christmas song. Even so, the first verse might make a beautiful addition to your carols.
Traditional “Christmas” carols that are really just winter songs
6. Jingle Bells – A lot of people think of this song as a Christmas song, but there is no mention of the holiday at all. The lyrics merely detail a sleigh ride.
7. Let it Snow – This song describes a common feeling many of us have if you live anywhere that it snows. It is the feeling of being warm and comfortable and watching it snow.
8. Winter Wonderland – The idea that the season of winter changes the landscape into a wonderland is definitely a Pagan one.
9. Jingle Bell Rock – This is a nice upbeat song about nothing in particular. It certainly doesn’t mention any holidays, Christian or Pagan.
10. Frosty the Snowman – What Pagan doesn’t love the idea of personified snow? It’s a great song for kids, though the lyrics don’t exactly make it easy for kids to remember.
Honorable mention: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – I think the title of this one describes this song nicely. There are references to holiday traditions, but there is one mention of “Christmases long long ago”. Other honorable mention: Baby It’s Cold Outside – I don’t particularly like this song because to the modern ear it sounds a lot like date rape. However, in the context of the time it was written, it was more likely meant as a woman who was reluctant to leave and felt the need to say she had to go because of societal expectations of the time.
Modern original songs about Yule
11. The Christians and the Pagans by Dar Williams – This song is a favorite of mine. It tells the story of Amber and Jane who were visiting a town for Solstice and decide to visit Amber’s “Christ-loving uncle”. It is an upbeat feel-good song with some amusing moments about the meeting of cultures like when Amber’s cousin asked if she was a witch.
12. Santa Claus is Pagan Too by Emerald Rose – I almost didn’t include this one in the list because it mentions Santa Claus. However, it’s clever and catchy and explains the Pagan origins of Santa.
13. Solstice Carol by Wyrd Sisters – This simple song is easy to sing along with and is written in Dorian mode, which seems to be a standard for Pagan music.
14. Solstice Evergreen by Spiral Dance – There is some nice imagery in addition to a singable tune.
15. On Midwinter’s Day by Damh the Bard – This upbeat song mentions other Pagan holidays and ideas, while celebrating Midwinter’s day.
Modern popular music that could be used to celebrate Yule
16. White is In The Winter Night by Enya – This song evokes thoughts of celebration and the winter holidays without directly mentioning any of them. Mistletoe, holly, candles, and colors of the season are all mentioned in this song by Enya.
17. Song for A Winter’s Night by Sarah McLaughlin – Her haunting voice really evokes the sense of winter, even though the vocals often dwell on other things.
18. Winter by Tori Amos – I chose this song because it mentions some of the symbolism of winter. Winter is a time for introspection (“Mirror mirror, where’s the crystal palace? But I can only see myself.”). Winter is also considered a time symbolizing old age (“Hair is grey and the fires are burning. So many dreams on the shelf.”). Tori Amos isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, mostly because it’s abstract and full of symbolism, but that’s why it makes this list.
19. Solstice Bells by Jethro Tull – It’s tough to believe that popular bands were playing music about the Solstice for this long, but Jethro Tull was ahead of it’s time. It is sad that in the mix the instruments overwhelm the vocals.
20. Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles – While not really a song one tends to associate with the holiday, it’s lyrics very much describe the coming of the sun.
Honorable mentions: A Long December by Counting Crows, December Child by Cyndi Lauper, A Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon and Garfunkel, To Try For The Sun by Donovan, Wintertime Love by The Doors, Winter Sun by Led Zeppelin
Bonus: other instrumental music to get you in the holiday mood
- Wizards In Winter by Trans Siberian Orchestra
- Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson
- Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky
- March of the Toys from Babes in Toyland
- Yule Log and Holly Berries by Rathkeltair
Honorable mentions: A Raven in the Snow by Jeff Johnson, The Druids Winter by Will Millar, Winter Bourne by Paul Candless
Here is the playlist containing my top choices for each category including instrumentals, for your holiday celebrations. I tried to choose videos that didn’t have to ensure songs played consecutively.
Do you know of a song that should make this list? If so, leave it in the comments below!
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These songs may incorporate references to pagan gods and goddesses, such as Odin and Freyja, alongside Christian figures like Jesus and Mary. By blending these traditions, pagan Christmas songs create a unique cultural tapestry that celebrates both the old and the new. In recent years, pagan Christmas songs have gained popularity among people looking for alternative holiday music options that reflect a broader range of cultural influences. These songs often explore the interconnectedness of various religious and cultural traditions, bridging the gap between different belief systems and encouraging a more inclusive and diverse celebration of the holiday season. Overall, pagan Christmas songs offer a way to honor the ancient roots of Christmas while embracing the modern Christian narrative. They provide a platform for reflection on the cultural diversity surrounding the holiday season and encourage a deeper understanding of the shared human experiences across different belief systems. Whether it's through ancient melodies or lyrics that evoke the spirits of old traditions, pagan Christmas songs invite us to celebrate Christmas in a way that is both uniquely personal and universally meaningful..
Reviews for "Celebrating the Wheel of the Year: Pagan Christmas Songs for Seasonal Festivities"
1. Rachel - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to listen to "Pagan Christmas Songs" as a pagan myself, but I was disappointed with the execution. The album mostly consists of traditional Christmas songs with altered lyrics, and it just didn't capture the essence of pagan celebrations. I expected more original content that incorporated pagan themes and rituals. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to truly showcase pagan traditions during the holiday season.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - As someone who enjoys exploring different musical genres, "Pagan Christmas Songs" fell flat for me. The blend of pagan and Christmas themes felt forced and lacked authenticity. Additionally, the performances and arrangements were underwhelming. The album failed to captivate me and left me wanting for more engaging and genuinely pagan-inspired music. I wouldn't recommend this album to anyone seeking a true representation of pagan holiday celebrations.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the attempt to combine pagan and Christmas themes, "Pagan Christmas Songs" ultimately failed to deliver an enjoyable listening experience. The songs felt awkwardly mashed together, resulting in a disjointed and inconsistent album. The lyrics often seemed forced and unnatural, not seamlessly blending the two concepts. I was left searching for more genuinely inspired music that truly embraced the pagan spirit of the holiday season.
4. James - 1/5 stars - "Pagan Christmas Songs" was a major disappointment. The album lacked cohesion and failed to capture the essence of pagan celebrations. The attempts to combine Christmas traditions with pagan themes felt forced and inauthentic. The arrangements and performances were lackluster, leaving me unimpressed. Overall, it's best to look elsewhere for a meaningful and enjoyable pagan-inspired holiday music experience.