During the holidays, no matter how you celebrate or what your beliefs, music is almost always an important part of the celebration, according to Thomas Riis, a musicologist and retired director of theAmerican Music Research Centerin Boulder’s College of Music.
“Singing brings people together and is a natural and comfortable community activity,” says Riis.
While caroling is thought of as a holiday tradition, historically the carol originated as a dance song and was associated with country life in general and making merry, says Riis.
Listen as Riis talks more on caroling songs and traditions.