By all that’s holy, here’s nation’s favourite carol
CHRISTMAS classic O Holy Night has been declared the nation’s favourite carol by radio listeners.
More than 12,000 votes were cast in the poll by music station Classic FM which will play a countdown of the top 30 carols at 1pm on Christmas Day.
O Holy Night retains the title for the third year in a row and once again beats Silent Night, which spent 2014 and 2015 at the top.
Gustav Holst’s version of In The Bleak Midwinter is at number three, followed by Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and then O Come All Ye Faithful.
“My favourite carol is O Holy Night,” said Classic FM presenter Myleene Klass. “The melody is so wonderfully magical and the song completely captures the spirit of Christmas.”
This year’s highest climbers were O Little Town Of Bethlehem and Away In A Manger, which have jumped three places each to numbers seven and 11.
Among the fallers were O Come, O Come Emmanuel, down two places to number 13 and In Dulci Jubilo, which is also down two, to 19.
Classic FM’s Charlotte Hawkins said: “I’m delighted O Holy Night has topped our poll again, it’s a favourite of mine. It’s a truly iconic piece of music, with so many stunning versions by a whole range of singers from cathedral choirs to Nat King Cole and Mariah Carey [her lyrics right].
“Also, as the first carol broadcast on the radio, it’s a very fitting winner.”
Classic FM presenter Aled Jones said: “O Holy Night has got it all, an incredible melody and beautiful words which tell the nativity story and the promise of redemption.”
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