Christmas Rounds to Sing
Christ is Born, 3 parts

Christmas rounds to sing for your choir or vocal group!  

Offered here in three different keys, this lovely melody by Franz Joseph Haydn is not well-known.  It begins with a slow, sturdy first line, which is followed by two flowing ornate lines.

Haydn didn't put these lyrics to the melody; I did.  

I frequently substitute lyrics in public domain works, particularly if the original lyrics are a foreign language, or the occasion calls for it.  

The children's choir singing in the video is using different words than mine - "Welcome, all...", which can be found in the book  "150 ROUNDS for Singing and Teaching".

Christmas rounds to sing, by Haydn

Please scroll down the page for the free PDF links.

Because of limited time and the inability of my vocal students to get together to practice more than a scant few minutes two times, I'm using a different approach with this round:

  • Singer 1, a senior boy, will sing solo line 1, then keep singing it.  Over and over, for a total of 4 passes.
  • When part 2 comes, that singer (a high-voiced young lady), will sing that line, and also sing ONLY that line.  She will sing it 3 times total.
  • When part 3 comes, that young lady to whom the part is given will sing it through, then repeat it.  She will only sing it 2 times in all.

We'll see how this goes!  I like the idea of the young man's low voice forming a slow bass foundation to the very-much-higher alleluia lines.

Update: Yes, this worked well!  I'd do it again.


The book "150 Rounds" is full of unknown, interesting rounds like this one, as well as canons  that are complicated and unpredictable.

150 Rounds for singers music book



The links to the vocal round PDFs:



Download Christ is Born in the key of A (shown)



Download Christmas rounds to sing song in the key of Bb



Download Christ is Born round in the key of C


More Rounds at Music-for-Music-Teachers.com


Ah, Poor Bird

 A pretty round with a reach of an octave, slow-moving notes, and easy intervals.  The scale-wise movement makes this song easy for a beginner.


Beauty's But an Idle Boast

With lyrics from an older time, this is more difficult than many rounds, but compensatingly more beautiful, with more complex harmonies as well!


Christ is Born

New lyrics for an old round by Haydn - well-suited to a mix of voices, a satisfying round


Christmas is Coming, the Goose is Getting Fat

Lots of big interval jumps, even octaves, make this round fun and tricky.


Coffee Canon

Originally from Germany (Kaffee), this is great fun to sing!  With new English lyrics that mention mochas, lattes, and "coffee black!"


Dona Nobis Pacem

Difficult!  Quite difficult for beginners, this beautiful round works best with a bigger group of singers, or even instrumentalists, unless your singers are experienced with harmony


For Health & Strength & Daily Bread

Pretty, and fairly easy, as it moves primarily in descending steps, this is a wonderful Thanksgiving song!


Haida, a Hebrew round

Haida is vigorous and fun - there are two spots that invite a clap, adding to the rhythmic feeling of this song.  Along with "Coffee," this is a favorite, frequently requested!


The Hart, He Loves the High Hill

This brisk but pretty round from England compares a deer to a rabbit, and a man to a woman!


Have You Seen the Ghost of John

An unbelievably pretty round, with lyrics that DO NOT do it justice!   One of my students' perennial favorites.


Heigh Ho, Nobody Home

The first round I use with beginning singers. Very singable!


Hinneh Mah Tov

Another brisk Hebrew round, lovely and minor.


Kookaburra

A fun 2-part round from Australia, good for classroom singing


Music Alone Shall Live

A very pretty little tune with nice major harmonies. A quick study! 


Oh How Lovely is the Evening

Short, and very easy.  This is a sweet melody with simple harmonies.


Rise Up, O Flame

A pretty song with lovely lyrics


Shalom Chaverim

A song about peace, from Israel. Very lovely.


Viva la musica

A little different - there is a bit of dissonance to learn to sing through.  A joyful melody!


White Coral Bells

A pretty little round with two parts and two verses, about white coral bells flowers along a garden path.


White Sand and Grey Sand

A street-seller's cry from England.  



Interested in songs from the Bible for your students or church?  Check out my other website, SingTheBibleStory.com!

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Shanette, US:
I just purchased O Holy Night to use as a duet for Christmas Eve Mass.  

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Liz:
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With not much time and no budget, it is so nice to find an arrangement!   Thank you.

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Amber:
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He is a fascinating young man (of 9) and I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of teaching him and his precious presence on my piano bench.

I look forward to your continued insight.

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Louise:

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I found little to no decent music for my children to learn anywhere close by anyway and this website has been more than helpful as I've scoured around looking for resources. Just wanted to share my thanks! Blessings to you. 

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About the Author

Dana Thynes

Hi, I'm Dana!  (Say that like "Anna".)  I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.

Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.

You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.