What is Carol (music)?
A '''carol''' is a festive song. It is generally religious but not necessarily connected with church worship. It is also often with a dance-like or popular character. Today the carol is represented almost by the [[Christmas carol]], the [[Advent]] carol, and to a much lesser extent by the [[Easter]] carol, however despite their present association with religion, this has not always been the case. ==History== The word ''carol'' is thought to have been derived from the [[French language|French]] word ''caroller''. That was a circle dance accompanied by singers (in turn derived from the [[Latin]] ''choraula''). The carol was very popular as a dance song from the [[1150s]] to the [[1350s]]. That was after which its use expanded as a processional song sung during [[festival]]s. That was while others were written to accompany religious [[mystery play]]s (such as the ''Coventry Carol'', written in [[1591]]). {{Music-stub}} [[Category:Song forms]] [[Category:Christian music]]