How to stump your friends: What popular Christmas song mentions Satan?

examiner.com ^ | Dec. 21, 2010 | Réne Girard

[jackspyder]

At this time of year, Christmas songs seem to stir our hearts and minds with thoughts of Christmas cheer, jingle bells, sleigh rides, snowflakes, Santa, Rudolph, and of course the birth of Jesus in a manger long ago. And although many people bemoan the evils of over-indulgence, unbridled commericalism, as well as the absence and rejection of Christ during the Christmas season, few make the direct connection to the deceiver of the world - Satan himself. But did you know that one very popular Christmas song actually mentions Satan by name?

This odd little piece of trivia is one I like to present at this time of year. Maybe you can do the same for your friends and family - especially if you get a kick out of watching their faces contort as their holiday brains scramble for the only right answer.

Although some people will give up quickly, others will genuinely try to figure it out. Here are some hints if they decide to ask.

Hint #1 It is a traditional Christmas carol, not an obscure song you have never heard.

...

[Krankor]

Here's another stumper. Where's this song from? Whoever get's it first, wins extra points.

[ironwill]

Easy! Santa Claus Conquers the Martians!

[Krankor]

Five extra points for you!

[mc5cents]

For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.

Fixed.

[luvbach1]

Speaking of Christmas carols,here’s a possible brain teaser: What famous Christmas carol was composed by a Jewish convert to Christianity?

[Keith in Iowa]

Quite a few if your dyslexic... and sent a holiday gift wish letter to Satan at the North Ploe. :)

[Bud Krieger]

Hey, I just heard this song earlier today. What are the odds of that ? : )

[RansomOttawa]

Speaking of Christmas carols,here’s a possible brain teaser: What famous Christmas carol was composed by a Jewish convert to Christianity?

Easy enough: Felix Mendelssohn composed the tune for "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."

[Tucker39]

God rest ye merry, gentlemen; let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day.
To save us all from satan’s power when we were gone astray.
Oooohh, tidings of comfort and joy!

[Hot Tabasco]

Here comes satan claus, here comes satan claus, right down satan claus lane......

[MHGinTN]

The esoteric knowledge of freepers always amazes me!

[Shimmer1]

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch was penned by a Jewish man, brought up as a Lutheran.

[MHGinTN]

Here comes Santa's claws, here comes Santa's claws, right down Simon's tree ...

[Krankor]

Another stumper. What Christmas son did Bob Hope sing and in what movie?

[luvbach1]

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch was penned by a Jewish man, brought up as a Lutheran.

That's interesting but not the Christmas carol I had in mind. :o)

[bgill]

I knew it right off.

You need to warn people about all the annoying pop ups on that site.

[Recovering_Democrat]

grymg

[ModelBreaker]

Also: “This Little Babe.”

This little babe
So few days old
Has come to rifle Satan’s fold
All Hell doth at
His presence quake
Though he himself for cold do shake.
But in this deep unwanted wise
The gates of Hell he will surprise.

[Drennan Whyte]

Tidings of Comfort and Joy. “To save us all from Satan’s power when we had gone astray.”

[AnAmericanMother]

That's the easy answer.

Here's the hard answer:

"Gabriel's message does away
Satan's curse and Satan's sway,
out of darkness brings our Day:

Refrain:
So, behold,
all the gates of heaven unfold.

He that comes despised shall reign;
he that cannot die, be slain;
death by death its death shall gain:

Weakness shall the strong confound;
by the hands, in grave clothes wound,
Adam's chains shall be unbound.

By the sword that was his own,
by that sword, and that alone,
shall Goliath be o'erthrown:

Art by art shall be assailed;
to the cross shall Life be nailed;
from the grave shall hope be hailed:"

Gabriel's Message - Neal's translation

in the original Latin, in a chant/organum setting

Piae Cantiones was translated largely by John Mason Neal, the English hymn composer, from a Finnish book of hymns and school songs - written in Latin and Finnish. Although the book is dated 1582, it was the work of an antiquary (they had them then too) and the words and music are essentially medieval.

The well known carols out of it include "Christ was born on Christmas Day" (Resonet in laudibus), "Good Christian men, rejoice" (In dulci jubilo), "Good King Wenceslas" (new words to a spring carol), "Let the Boys' Cheerful Noise" (Personent hodie), "Of the Father's Love Begotten", "Unto Us a Boy is Born", and "Gaudete - Christus est Natus" (covered by Steeleye Span, of all things).

And before you say "nobody knows this one," it's in the Episcopal hymnal. No. 270. (the Episcopalians may be a bunch of heretics, but their music is absolutely first class).