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Why Was the Partridge in the Pear Tree?: The History of Christmas Carols Paperback – August 1, 2012

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 83 ratings
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The hidden stories and fascinating facts behind favorite Christmas carols

 

Who was Good King Wenceslas? What are the pagan origins behind The Holly and the Ivy? Discover the hidden stories behind best-loved Christmas carols, from their earliest incarnations in the Middle Ages and their banning under the Puritans to the carols that united soldiers on the Western Front during World War I. This fascinating book charts the history of one of Christmas' longest-running traditions and is sure to appeal to all those who love the festive season.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    128 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 1, 2012
  4. Dimensions
    4.5 x 0.4 x 7 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0752459570
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0752459578
  7. See all details
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Why Was the Partridge in the Pear Tree?: The History of Christmas Carols
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Reverend Mark Lawson-Jones is a team rector in charge of 10 parishes in Wales. Bishop Dominic Walker is the ministry bishop for the Church in Wales.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The History Press; Reprint edition (August 1, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0752459570
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0752459578
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.5 x 0.4 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 83 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
83 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Valerie Fields
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good.
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2016
Verified Purchase
The book was better than I thought it would be. There is a bit of scholarship in it. It really talks about more than the carols; traditions, people involved in observing Christmas from the middle ages and on. I also enjoy the illustrations. Old-timey. His writing style is easy to read and enjoy.
7 people found this helpful
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B. Garrity-Jameson
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice to know where they came from
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
A very interesting story of Christmas carols.
Nice to know where they came from.
One person found this helpful
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Michael A. Indiveri
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
great background info
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CA
3.0 out of 5 stars The title is better than the book
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2014
I'd hoped that this book would get me in the Christmas spirit. and though I sang the songs in my head as i was reading,I found myself skipping over pages and chapters of carols I'd never heard of before. and of the ones that I did know there really want anything interesting or noteworthy. it's give it fewer stars but it was a quick read and was free to me since I borrowed the electronic version from my public library. Merry Christmas
2 people found this helpful
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S. Christian
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
good resource
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Steven J. Raml
5.0 out of 5 stars Good History of Carols
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2014
As I choir director, I now have stories to share as we gear up for Christmas rehearsals.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars A sweet little book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Short but sweet. A book about songs sung at Christmas, just like it says it is. it details the backgrounds of composers and the stories behind the songs some of which might not be quite what you think. I hope there’s a second volume as a lot of the popular carols are missing but still, for what it is, it’s not half bad I reckon.
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K. Partridge
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful and informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed reading this very much, and gathered some useful fcts for research. I know you can't have everything in a small paperback, but I wish some of the illustrations had been a bit clearer (the photocopies of photographs). But it was a well-researched and enjoyable read.
2 people found this helpful
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Mrs. E. A. Marks
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fantastic little book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
For anyone who is really interested in Christmas (not just slobbing out for a day before heading for the sales) this book is a must. It has all the famous carols and a history of how they came about or for what they are chiefly remembered. I've spent my life singing in church choirs and the information I've gleaned from here has actually made me look at Christmas music from a different perspective.
Lovely book and well worth a read for anyone who still sees Christmas as a celebration and a special time of year.
One person found this helpful
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JEP49
5.0 out of 5 stars New Operator worth using.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
A good operator makimg a trustworthy start. Sent book which arrived earlier than stated. Will use this firm again.
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vixburg
4.0 out of 5 stars Small, interesting book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
Bought as a gift for an elderly lady, who likes small books that she can carry in her handbag and read on the train.It is small and has lots of interesting facts about Christmas traditions.
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