Top TEN Christmas Carols In Minor Keys

I love the holiday season! And my favorite part about this time of year is the MUSIC! Christmas carols are just so special; they carry that magic ingredient that can instantly transport us into a world filled with wonder, anticipation, and childlike joy.

Speaking of Christmas songs – while the majority of them are written in major keys, there are a handful of carols that are written in minor keys. And these are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! And, by the way, if a song is written in a minor key, it doesn’t necessarily imply sadness or sorrow. A minor key is just that – a set of tones that generate a specific melodic contour and harmonic progression. So, without further ado, here are ten Christmas carols in minor keys, to add some variety to your repertoire (or to your playlists) this holiday season:

1. Carol of the Bells
This catchy Christmas song was written by Mykola Leontovych in 1914 who is believed to have based it on a traditional Ukrainian folk song. The English text was written by Peter Wilhousky in 1936. The quick and frequent repetition of the four-note motif builds up the energy of this minor-key carol in a way that gets all listeners excited to listen all the way through!


2. What Child Is This
Based on the traditional English song “Greensleeves” with lyrics written by William Chatterton Dix, “What Child Is This” is a staple Christmas song that has been translated in numerous languages over the past decades, including in my native language Romanian! :)


3. We Three Kings of Orient Are
Written by John H. Hopkins Jr. this Christmas carol begins in a minor key but after a fermata transition on “oooooh” the chorus is set in the relative major key. So, technically, this song is in both major and minor, depending on how to choose to look at it! :) 


4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
It took me a very, very long time to understand the title of this Christmas carol: Who are these “Merry Gentlemen”? Then I finally saw it written with the comma in the right place and I finally understood that “merry” modifies the verb “rest” and not the noun “gentlemen,” ha! This is one of my favorite minor key Christmas carols, especially since the melody is written in a natural minor mode, giving the harmonic structure a distinct sound.


5. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Another hymn in a minor mode, leaving plenty of room for harmonic variety. The melody dates back to 17th century France and the text dates back even further, back to the 4th century (!).


6. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Perhaps the most common choice in advent hymns since the text about waiting for Jesus to come. Even though we know Jesus has already come 2000 years ago, the text is still relevant today as we anticipate his second coming. The music is based on a plainchant and it dates back to 15th century France (although some sources say it goes all the way back to the 13th century). Meanwhile, the text dates back to the 12th century (author unknown). 


7. Coventry Carol
A hauntingly beautiful minor tune dating back to the sixteenth century; the author and composers are unknown. This is a prime example of the picardy third, i.e. ending the tune on the raised third scale degree – if we’re in A minor, the last melodic note is C sharp, adding a very medieval sound to the overall texture. 


8. The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came (aka Gabriel’s Message)
A Basque folk carol that dates back to the 12th or 13th century. The harmony oscillates between the natural mode and the harmonic mode, thus keeping you on your toes the entire way through.


9. ‘Twas In the Moon of Wintertime
This carol is new to me; one of my social media followers recommended I listen to it. It’s absolutely beautiful!! The natural minor mode creates an awe-filled atmosphere that will lead you to ponder on the mystery of the incarnation.


10. Sing We Now of Christmas (aka Noel Nouvelet)
This traditional French carol features a prime example of the use of the Dorian mode (i.e. minor key with a raised sixth). It dates back to the fifteenth century and continues to inspire Christians today to boldly declare the birth of Jesus!


There you have it! Ten Christmas carols in minor keys, some more popular than others. I’m sure I missed some in the process; if I gather enough, I’ll write a follow-up blog post :)

Merry Christmas!