The International Book of Christmas Carols
164 easy arrangements with chords of carols from around the world, complete with lyrics in the original language as well as English. This special collection also includes historical background information on the observance of Christmas through the years and notes about specific carols to give added understanding. Songs are included from England, Italy, Latin America, Spain, Scandinavia, Poland, Czech Republic, and more.Note on the arrangements:"We have worked to make this book both flexible and useful. The Piano accompaniments have been kept simple, but much effort has gone into making them musically interesting and satisfying. Chord indications are given for every carol so that the accompaniments may be played on Chord Organs, Accordions, Guitars, Ukuleles and other fretted instruments. A detailed chart demonstrating how to finger chords for fretted instruments is given at the back of the book.We have been careful to keep the voice ranges of the songs comfortable and the texts singable. Since harmony parts always add much pleasure to singing, we have retained traditional four-part arrangements of the most familiar carols and hymns. For the others, we have provided a second part to go along with the melody (printed in smaller notes) that may be sung, or played on the Recorder, Flute, Violin or on other non-transposing instruments." - Walter Ehret, George K. Evans
