Here We Come a Caroling

As Christmas nears, the notion of caroling popped into my head. This used to be done with regularity in ages past. It’s seen in old movies, TV shows, and implied on an occasional sitcom. It is something I have done many times leading into Christmas around my parent’s old neighborhood, in nursing homes, and while at college. As music students, we actually “caroled” instead of trick-or-treated one Halloween, but we won’t get into that… As I walked the cold Christmas markets in Vienna, I couldn’t shake nostalgic visions of smiley carolers walking snowy streets while singing familiar favorites. I remember what went into preparing a group of people to go out caroling. I wonder if it’s still the same today (provided the tradition still happens).

I have seen caroling done a couple of different ways. One is as an organized event where a group of people rehearse songs, carry a pitch pipe, some sheet music, map out a route, and head out. As they walk, they sing, knock on a variety of doors, and stop to sing for a moment or two. It’s mostly a performance per household. People can either answer the door and listen or not and let the group continue on their merry way.

When a group within a community wants to put something like this together, it can be rather happenstance. They may all know the songs or not and the pitch at which they sing is whatever pitch the initiator starts. It’s like Goldie Locks and the three pitches; this one too high, this one too low, but once in a while, this one is just right. As they walk, they knock on the doors of their neighbors, not stopping, but inviting everyone to participate in the parade so that by the end of the route, many people have joined in the chorus. They are singing their hearts out to familiar favorites while strolling down main street to end up at a tree lighting or a bonfire at the Johnson’s farm on the North side of town. There is Christmas cheer, decorations, plenty to eat and drink, and a great time is had by all.

Whether people realize it or not, to get to the place of caroling there are still logistics to consider when you gather people together, even if it’s impromptu. Decisions need to be made such as: Which songs to sing? What route to walk? Does everyone have boots, hats, and mittens? Is there anyone specific the group needs to visit? Will there be any rehearsals or a sign-up sheet? Can everyone read music or do we just need lyrics? Who needs water? Did everyone go to the bathroom? Where will we end up or is this a large circle and we’ll end up back where we started? Everyone ends up being an event planner in some capacity now and then.

My favorite way to carol is to select a snowy night right before or after Christmas when you know people are gathering to celebrate. Then, collect a handful of my talented friends and harmonize the simplest of carols that anyone would know, get dressed for the weather and walk, sing, and knock on doors until our noses are running so bad we can hardly get a word in without a sniffle. Blessing others with the gift of music and holiday cheer. Afterwards, heading back to someone’s house for a little celebration and warm-up of our own before going home.

Have you ever gone caroling or had to plan a caroling event for someone else? Little ones perhaps? What one thing did you encounter that you didn’t anticipate?
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