'Merry Christmas Baby' has got to be one of the most versatile holiday songs out there. Written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore in 1947, it's been covered by everyone from Chuck Berry to Otis Redding to Jessica Simpson.

Last week in the “Deck the Hall” analysis, I mentioned how carols are often strophic: many verses that repeat form the piece, but “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is perhaps a more familiar form: verse-chorus. Just like most pop music, then, the verses change each time, but the chorus stays the same.

Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas, Baby Rod Stewart - Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas, Baby - CD.

"Merry Christmas Baby" is an R&B Christmas standard credited to Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore. In 1947, Johnny Moore's Three Blazers recorded the tune, featuring vocals and piano by Charles Brown.

Scholars credit the world's oldest Christmas hymn-song to the 4th century in France and written by St. Hilary of Poitier (c310-367). The carol was “Jesus Refulsit Omnium” (“Jesus, Light of All the Nations” aka “Jesus Illuminates all”).

Reportedly, one of the first known Christmas hymns is "Jesus Refulsit Omnium" ("Jesus, Light of All the Nations"), written by St. Hilary of Poitier in the fourth century.

Just before Christmas and on Christmas Day, people say ' Merry Christmas' to other people to express the hope that they will have a happy time. [formulae] Merry Christmas, everyone. I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas.

The identity of the author and composer of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" remains a mystery to date. However, its origins are widely believed to be in the sixteenth century, where it was dedicated to carolers who performed for the entertainment of the rich and powerful.

Do They Know It's Christmas?Do They Know It's Christmas? / Album

Pages in category "Rock Christmas albums"

• Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album.
• Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three.
• Christ Is Come.
• Christmas (Chris Isaak album)
• Christmas (Creeper EP)
• Christmas (Don McLean album)
• Christmas (Old Man Gloom album)
• The Christmas Attic.

Reportedly, one of the first known Christmas hymns is "Jesus Refulsit Omnium" ("Jesus, Light of All the Nations"), written by St. Hilary of Poitier in the fourth century.

"The Christmas Song" (commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" or, as it was originally subtitled, "Merry Christmas to You") is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé.