As delightful of a read as Volume 1. I t's beginning to feel like Christmas! ( )

This book had some interesting stories, and, while out introduced me to some carols I hadn't heard before, it would have been better if, since I was listening to it as an audio book, The songs would have been included so that I could great the ones I wasn't familiar with. I understand that with copyrights to deal with that would not be at all practical, but it would have drastically increased my enjoyment of the book. The stories for the songs I am familiar with were enjoyable, and I'm glad to have learned one or two more Christmas songs, but for the most part, of I wasn't already familiar with the carol I didn't take the time to look it up. ( )

More urban legends of... ( )

This book has been a disappointment. Although most of the stories were interesting, they were written in a very lack-luster, unexciting way. I did enjoy some nuggets of information about the composers and poets. Perhaps the more popular and best loved Christmas songs were in his 1st book. Most interesting was the background of, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Probably written in 16th century, performed by traveling bands of troubadours in English cities. These troupes would make a living from gifts of the wealthy who paid to hear their songs. At this time the "Christmas holiday" as we know it was basically ignored by most Christians in England. An unsavory group of people took over the song, reshaping its meaning, and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" became an anthem that evoked alarm and consternation. Christmas had evolved into a time of drunken parties and marauding street gangs. Like pirates sailing the open sea, they were out for bounty and most set their sights on the nicest sections of the towns. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" was now sung with a demanding tone. If the owners of these fine houses did not meet their demands for "figgy pudding" (or whatever) the men would often knock open the doors and take what they pleased. This form of early caroling became a very serious and sometimes lethal version of "trick or treat". Some homeowners and singers were killed and many injured. Police would gage the seriousness of the situation by listening to the demands of the song. Sighs of relief were felt if only food and drink were mentioned. When the carolers began demanding money or household items the police moved in.

The wild nature of Christmas lasted several hundred years in England. German traditions brought to England by Prince Albert when he married Queen Victoria in 1840, erased the centuries-old image of violent and lawless Christmas, replacing it with one focusing on the true meaning of the holiday and the spirit of giving.

I give this book 2 stars out of 5. ( )