from this site:http://209.52.189.2/article.cfm/tudor_england/205361. TOMORROW SHALL BE MY DANCING DAY: This carol appears in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern by William Sandys in 1833, and in many broadsides of that period. However, most historians date the text from before the 17th century. It includes verses which cover not only the legends surrounding the birth of Christ, but his baptism, temptation, betrayal, passion, death, resurrection and ascension.
2. DING DONG! MERRILY ON HIGH: This carol is another example of a late medieval (probably 16th century) melody which has been fitted with lyrics by a more modern lyricist. The melody is believed to be French.
3. PATAPAN: These lyrics in their Latin form ("Congaudeat turba fidelium") appear in Piae Cantiones (Swedish, 1582) but the melody of this version is found as early as the 12th century, from Apt, near Avignon, France.
4. JOSEPH DEAREST, JOSEPH MINE: Also called "Song of the Crib" because of its use in the "crib scenes" in mystery plays, this carol appears in its German language version as early as 1500 at Leipzig University. Versions of it also appear in Latin (Lohan Walther's Gesangbuch, 1544) the Piae Cantiones and elsewhere. More contemporary composers such as Lassus, Handl, Praetorius and Brahms have worked it into polyphonic settings.
5. GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN: This melody appears to spring from the Cornwall countryside in England, and the lyrics appear as early as 1770 in the Roxburgh Ballads, but it is apparent from references in earlier texts that the melody (of which there are actually two, though only one is familiar in America) dates from a considerably earlier period. It is commonly considered the "most popular" Christmas Carol in England.
6. COVENTRY CAROL: One of the most haunting of the carols written in the minor key, Coventry Carol was sung in the pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, a mystery play put on by local guilds in Coventry, in the 15th century. The most familiar text is that of Robert Croo (reproduced here), written in 1534. The Coventry Plays are recorded as having been witnessed by Margaret, Queen of Henry VI, as early as 1456, by Richard III in 1484, and by Henry VII in 1492.
7. THE BOAR'S HEAD CAROL: Unfortunately, only the last page of Jan van Wynken's "Christmas Carolles", printed in 1521, survives, but it includes portions of this carol, which appears in many different forms in later publications. This song is traditionally sung during the Christmas Feast at Oxford.
8. GOOD KING WENCESLAS: This story owes its popularity to the popular melody, which is actually that of a Spring carol, "Tempus Adest Foridum" ("The Time of the Flowers Has Arrived"). Although the lyrics were evidently written by J.M. Neale in 1853, the melody appears in the Piae Cantiones of 1582.
9. MASTERS IN THIS HALL: The words to this melody were written around 1860 by William Morris to a tune obtained from the organist at Chartres Cathedral. It was published in "Antient Christmas Carols" in 1860. The actual provenance of the melody is unknown, but it is believed to be 16th century French.
10. WHILE BY MY SHEEP I WATCHED AT NIGHT: All that is known of this song is that it is of German origin, probably 17th century.
11. THE MARCH OF THE KINGS (LA MARCHE DE ROIS): From Provence, in France, this carol appears as early as the 13th century.
12. IRISH CAROL: Although the words and tune were written down from a singer in county Wexford, Ireland, at the beginning of this century, the original lyrics were probably the product of Bishop Luke Wadding (1588-1657). This well-known cleric frequently wrote sacred lyrics to melodies which had become popular folk tunes, but were commonly sung with coarse or crude lyrics.
13. THE HOLLY AND THE IVY: This popular melody and text were recorded in Mowbray's Christmas Carols in 1861, but he claimed that it appeared in "an old broadside, printed a century and a half since" (roughly 1710). It is apparently much older even than that; the phrase "the merry organ" appears in Chaucer's "Nonne Preestes Tale", and holly and ivy are common motifs in pagan celebrations which predate the Christian influence in Europe.
14. I SAW THREE SHIPS: This song appears in Forbes's Cantus in 1666, and is also known as "As I Sat On A Sunny Bank". It probably dates from the 16th century.
15. THE ANGEL GABRIEL FROM HEAVEN CAME: This is an English translation of an ancient Basque carol, sung by the shepherd in that region. It origin and exact dates cannot be pinpointed; the translation was done by S. Baring-Gould (1834-1924).
SUPPLEMENTAL CAROLS
1. I SING OF A MAIDEN: The melody to this 15th century text has been lost, but the one provided by English composer Martin Shaw sets off the touching and ambient phrases to perfection.
I sing of a maiden that is makeless (matchless). King of all kings to her son she ches (chose). He came all so still Where his mother was, As dew in April That falleth on the grass.
Mother and maiden was never none but she. Well may such a lady Godes mother be.
2. HOW FAR IS'T TO BETHLEHEM: Also called "Children's Song of the Nativity", very little is known of this song, except that it is an English traditional piece.
3. O Come, O Come, Emanuel: Veni, Veni Emanuel is taken from a very old Gregorian chant, probably pre-1100.
4. Golden Carol of the Three Wise Men: This old English carol (exact date unknown) is another used to announce the arrival of the Three Kings during nativity plays in the Middle Ages. This one is still sung in England at Epiphany. Another version with this same title appears in the Bodleian Manuscript, English Poet. E.I (c. 1460-1490).
1. We saw a light shine out afar, On Christmas in the morning. And straight we knew it was Christ's star, Bright beaming in the morning.
Then did we fall on bended knee, On Christmas in the morning, And praise the Lord who let us see His glory at its dawning.
2. Oh ever thought we of His name On Christmas in the morning. Who bore for us both grief and shame, Affliction's sharpest scorning.
And may we die, when death shall come, On Christmas in the morning, And see in Heaven, our glorious home, That star of Christmas morning.