Best Known Public Domain Christmas Songs List of 47
IMPORTANT: This list is based on USA Copyright Law and is intended only as a help in researching public domain music. This list is NOT sufficient documentation that music is in the Public Domain. To prove PD status in the USA, you MUST find a published copy of the song with a copyright date of 1922 or earlier. Our PD Sheet Music Reprints are exact reprints of books and sheet music published in 1922 or earlier and include music, lyrics, and complete original copyright information. Some of these songs may not be PD in countries other than the USA.
| Title | V=Verse C=Chorus N=Note P=Production w=Words m=Music |
1 - 3 $5 ea 4 up $4 ea |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Songs are on this PD list if we have a pre-1923 PD sheet music publication in our library AND if anyone has asked about PD status of the song in the past 20 years. | ||
| Adeste Fideles |
1751 - w.m. John Francis Wade V - Adeste fideles, Laeti triumphantes, Venite, venite in Bethlehem. Natum videte. Regem angelorum. C - Venite adoremus, venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Dominum. N - Latin: O Come All Ye Faithful | PD Reprint |
| All Through the Night |
w. 1884, Sir Harold Boulton, m. 1784, Welch Folksong Ar Hy y Nos V - Sleep my child and peace attend thee, All through the night. Guardian angels God will send thee, All through the night. N - Alt Verse: Sleep my babe, lie still and slumber, All through the night | PD Reprint |
| Angels from the Realms of Glory |
w. 1816 - W. James Montgomery, m. 1867 - Henry T. Smart V - Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth. Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth. C - Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King. | PD Reprint |
| Angels We Have Heard on High |
w. 1700s French Carol, m. medieval French Carol Gloria V - Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. C - Glo-o-o-o-oria, in excelsis Deo! Glo-o-o-o-oria, in excelsis Deo! N - w. translatied Bishop James Chadwick (1831-1882) translation, m. arranged Edward Shippen Barnes (1887-1958) | PD Reprint |
| Auld Lang Syne |
w. 1788 Robert Burns, m. Scottish Air V - Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind, C - For Auld Lang Syne, my dear, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet, For Auld Lang Syne. | PD Reprint |
| Away In a Manger |
1885 - w. unknown, m. James R. Murray, Tune: 'Mueller' V - Away in a manger, No crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus Laid down his sweet head. The star in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay. N - Words often erroneously attributed to Martin Luther. | PD Reprint |
| Away in a Manger (W.J. Kirkpatrick) |
1895 - w. anonymous, m. William J. Kirkpatrick adapted from J.E. Spilman V - Away in a manger, No crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus Laid down his sweet head. The star in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay. N - Alternate Tune. Words often erroneously attributed to Martin Luther. | PD Reprint |
| Birthday Of A King |
1890 - w.m. W. H. Neidlinger V - In the little village of Bethlehem, There lay a child one day, And the sky was bright with a holy light, O'er the place where Jesus lay. C - Alleluia! O how the angels sang; Alleluia! how it rang; And the sky was bright with holy light, 'Twas the birthday of a King. | PD Reprint |
| Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella |
1553 - w.m. French Carol, 1700s translated to English V - Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabelle! Bring a torch, to the stable run Christ is born. Tell the folk of the village Jesus is born and Mary's calling. C - Ah! Ah! beautiful is the Mother! Ah! Ah! beautiful is her child. | PD Reprint |
| Christians Awake |
1750 - m. John Wainwright, w. John Byron V - Christians, awake, salute the happy morn Whereon the Savior of the world was born. Rise to adore the mystery of love Which hosts of angels chanted from above, | PD Reprint |
| Coventry Carol |
1500s - w.m. English Traditional Carol V - Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by, lully, lullay. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by lully, lullay. | PD Reprint |
| Deck the Halls |
1800s - w. translated Oliphant 1866, m. Welsh Nos Galan V - Deck the hall with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la. 'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel, Troll the ancient Christmas carol, C - Fa la la la la la la la la. | PD Reprint |
| First Nowell |
1833 - English Carol V - The first nowell, the angels did sing, was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay. C - Noel, noel, noel, noel, born is the King of Israel. N - a.k.a. The First Noel | PD Reprint |
| Gesu Bambino |
1917 - w.m. Pietro A. Yon, w. translated Frederick H. Martens V - When blossoms flowered 'mid the snows Upon a winter night, Was born the Child, the Christmas Rose, The King of Love and Light. C - O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. N - Italian lyrics: 'Nell'umile capanna nel freddo e poverta e nato il Santo pargolo che il mondo adorere' | PD Reprint |
| Go Tell it on the Mountain |
ca. 1865 - Spiritual V - When I was a seeker I sought both night an' day, I ask' de Lord to help me, An' He show' me de way. C - Go tell it on de mountain, Over de hills an' everywhere; Go tell it on de mountain, Dat Jesus Christ is born. | PD Reprint |
| God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen |
ca. 1760 - w.m. English Traditional V - God rest you merry, Gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, For Jesus Christ our Savior Was born upon this Day. To save poor souls from Satan's power, Which long time had gone astray. Which brings tidings of comfort and joy. | PD Reprint |
| Good King Wenceslas |
1853 - w. John Mason Neale, m. Thomas Helmore V - Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even; Brightly shone the moon that night, tho' the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, gath'ring winter fuel. N - Music based on 1582 Finnish tune from Piae Canationes, 1582. | PD Reprint |
| Hark ! The Herald Angels Sing |
1840 - w. George Whitefield, m. William H. Cummings V - Hark! The herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!' C - Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King!' N - Music adapted from Charles Wesley, 1739. Music adapted from Felix Mendelssohn, 1840 . | PD Reprint |
| Here We Come A-Caroling |
See Wassail Song | PD Reprint |
| Holly and the Ivy |
1871 - Henry R. Bramley, John Stainer V - The holly and the ivy, now both are full well grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown. C - The holly bears a blossom as white as lily flower, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet saviour | PD Reprint |
| I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day |
w. 1864 Henry W. Longfellow, m. 1872 J. Baptiste Calkin V - I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. | PD Reprint |
| I Saw Three Ships |
1833 - w.m. William Sandys V - I saw three ships come sailing by, on New year's Day in the morning. | PD Reprint |
| In the Bleak Midwinter |
1906 - w. 1872, Christina G. Rossetti, m. Gustav von Holst V - In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter Long ago. N - Holst Tune:Granham | PD Reprint |
| In the Bleak Midwinter (T.G. Strong) |
1909 - w. Christina G. Rossetti, m. Thomas B. Strong, 1892 V - In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter Long ago. N - Alternate Tune. | PD Reprint |
| It Came Upon the Midnight Clear |
1850 - m. Richard S. Willis, w. Edmond H. Sears V - It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold; | PD Reprint |
| Jingle Bells |
1857 - w.m. James Pierpont V - Jingle Bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. On what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. C - Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. | PD Reprint |
| Jolly Old St. Nicholas |
ca. 1860 - w. possibly Benjamin Hanby, m. James Lord Pierpont V - Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Lean your ear this way; Don't you tell a single soul What I'm going to say, | PD Reprint |
| Joy to the World |
1839 - m. Lowell Mason, adapted from Handel, w. Isaac Watts V - Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. | PD Reprint |
| Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming |
1599 - w. 15th Century German, m. 'Es Ist Ein Ros'' V - Lo, how a rose e'er blooming, From tender stem hath sprung. Of Jesse's lineage coming, | PD Reprint |
| O Come All Ye Faithful |
1841 - w. translation Federick Oakeley, m. 1751, John Francis Wade V - O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the King of Angels: C - O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. N - From Latin Adeste Fideles | PD Reprint |
| O Come, O Come, Emanuel |
1850s - w. translation John Mason Neale, Henry Sloane Coffin, m. French Hymn, 1400s V - O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. C - Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. N - From Latin, Veni, veni Emmanuel, 1100s | PD Reprint |
| O Holy Night |
1847 - 1847 w. Placide Clappeau, French, English translation John S. Dwight, m. Adolphe C. Adam V - O holy night! The stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. C - O night divine, O night, O night Divine. | PD Reprint |
| O Little Town of Bethlehem |
1868 - w. Phillips Brooks, m. Lewis H. Redner V - O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. | PD Reprint |
| Once in Royal David's City |
1849 - w. Cecil Frances Alexander, m. Henry John Gauntlett V - Once in royal David's city Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her Baby In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child. | PD Reprint |
| Patapan |
1720 - Burgundian Carol. w.m. Bernard de la Monnoye (1641-1728) V - Guillô, pran ton tamborin; Toi, pran tai fleúte, Rôbin! Au son de cé instruman, Turelurelu, patapatapan, C - Willie, get your little drum, Robin, bring your flute and come. Aren’t they fun to play upon? Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan; N - French, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, William Sandys,1833, London, p163. | PD Reprint |
| Silent Night |
1818 - w. 1816, German Joseph Mohr, 1859 English tr. John Young, m. 1818 Franz X. Gruber V - Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, | PD Reprint |
| Silent Night ~ Barnby |
1890 - Barnby V - Holy night! Peaceful night. Thro' the darkness beams a light . . .Yonder where they sweet vigil keep O'er the Babe, who in silent sleep. Rests in heavenly peace. N - Alternate tune and translation of Silent Night | PD Reprint |
| Star Of The East |
1890 - m. Amanda Kennedy, w. George Cooper V - Star of the East, Oh Bethlehem's Star, Guiding us on to Heaven afar! Sorrow and grief are lull'd by thy light, Thou hope of each mortal, in death's lonely night! C - Star of the East, thou hope of the soul, While round us here the dark billows roll, Lord lead us from sin to glory afar, Thou star of the East, thou sweet Bethl'em's star. N - Music a.k.a. Star of the Sea | PD Reprint |
| There's A Song in the Air |
1904 - w. Josiah G. Holland, m. Karl P. Harrington V - There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky! There's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry! And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King! | PD Reprint |
| Toyland |
1903 - m. Victor Herbert, w. Glen MacDonough V - When you've grown up my dears, And are as old as I, You'll often ponder on the years That roll so swiftly by, my dears, That roll so swiftly by . . . C - Toyland. Toyland. Little girl and boy land. While you dwell within it, You are ever happy then. Childhood's joy-land. Mystic merry Toyland, Once you pass it's borders, You can never return again. | PD Reprint |
| Twelve Days of Christmas |
ca. 1780 - English Christmas Carol, possibly as early as 1500s V - On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me A Partridge in a Pear Tree. . . C - . . . 5 Gold Rings, 4 Colly Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves And a Partridge in a Pear Tree. N - The 1909 arrangement by Frederick Austin (1872-1952) which slows down on five gold rings is in the public domain in the USA. It will enter the public domain worldwide in 2023. | PD Reprint |
| Up on the Housetop |
1867 - Possibly Benjamin Hanby V - Up on the house, no delay no pause. Clatter the steed of Santa Claus; Down thro' the chimney with loads of toys. Ho for the little ones, Christmas joys. C - O! O! O! Who wouldn't go, O! O! O! Who wouldn't go, Upon the housetop click! click! click! Down through the chimney with good St. Nick. | PD Reprint |
| Wassail Song |
ca. 1850 - w.m. English Traditional Christmas Carol V - Here we come a-wassailing Among the leaves so green; Here we come a-wand'ring So fair to be seen. C - Love and joy come to you, And to you your wassail too; And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year And God send you a Happy New Year. | PD Reprint |
| Watchman Tell Us of the Night |
w. 1825 John Bowring, m. 1830 Lowell Mason V - Watchman, tell us of the night, What its signs of promise are. Traveler, o'er yon mountain's height, See that glory beaming star. | PD Reprint |
| We Three Kings |
1857 - w.m. John H. Hopkins, Jr. V - We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. C - O star of wonder, star of light, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light. | PD Reprint |
| What Child is This? |
1865 - 1865 - William C. Dix, m. 16th Century English Traditional V - What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud . . . N - Tune: Greensleeves | PD Reprint |
| While Shepherds Watched |
w. 1700 - Nahum Tate, m. 1728 - George F. Handel V - While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around. | PD Reprint |