Arabic festive songs mostly come from Lebanon. They range from remakes of well-known western carols – translated by Protestant missionaries in Lebanon more than 150 years ago into Arabic – to much older Arabic hymns that have their roots in the Byzantine, Syriac, Maronite and Armenian Christian traditions. Where hymns tend to be more religion-based, carols are tunes that have become part of popular culture and regional airwaves. Perhaps the most popular singer of Arabic Christmas songs is Lebanese superstar Fairouz. Her songs are mostly translations of the carols we know so well. Other Arab mainstays include Majida El Roumi, Julia Boutros, Salwa Al Katrib and Pascale Sakr, who are also from Lebanon. Here is a round-up of eight of our favourite Arabic-language Christmas albums, carols and hymns produced in Lebanon and sung by the country’s greats.
Christmas Hymns Part 1 by Fairouz (1989)
This one features classics such as Laylet Eid, her take on the classic Jingle Bells, as well as Sawt El Eid, Fairouz's moving rendition of Silent Night. The album was released in 1989, but all of the songs are much older. Nejmet Eid, for example, sung to the tune of Angels We Have Heard on High, was recorded in 1977. Fairouz also performs an original tune, Talj Talj, meaning snow, snow.
Nour Men Nour by Majida El Roumi (2013)
The highlight of the album by the Lebanese soprano is the opener Woulida El Massih, Hallelujah, an original song recorded live in a church in Lebanon, which showcases her wide range and crystalline voice perfectly. Usually, El Roumi sings this song with lines of French poetry – this album is the first one featuring the song in Arabic.
Christmas Songs by Salwa Al Katrib (1994)
The western classic Jingle Bells has been translated into several Arabic versions, and Al Katrib's take is Ras El Eid. Renowned for singing and acting in some of Lebanon's greatest plays and musicals, Al Katrib is considered one of Lebanon's greatest theatrical stars. The album Christmas Songs, released in 1994, features nine classic holiday tunes by Al Katrib and three instrumental tracks.
Pascale Sings Christmas: Elias Rahbani by Pascale Sakr and Elias Rahbani (1992)
Another Lebanese star renowned for her performances in musical theatre is Pascale Sakr, and her collaboration with composer, musician and songwriter Elias Rahbani led to the 1992 album of Pascale Sings Christmas: Elias Rahbani. We especially love the song Am Yenzal Ettalje, which means the snow is falling. The album features five original Christmas songs featuring Sakr's sweet soprano voice and three instrumental pieces, all by Rahbani.
Miladak by Julia Boutros (2012)
No Arabic Christmas song list is complete without the great Julia Boutros, who prefers songs about patriotism, Arab unity and identity to romantic ditties. However, her Christmas album, Miladak, is a departure from her usual angst. Accompanied by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the 10 original songs on the album are all easy listening.
Christmas Medley by Nicole Saba (2014)
The most recent Christmas release on our list is by Lebanese singer Nicole Saba, a former member of the all-girl Lebanese pop group The 4 Cats. Saba, also an actress, received plenty of critical acclaim this year for her portrayal of Scheherazade in the Ramadan TV series Alf Layla Wa Layla. Before that, however, she released Christmas Medley, which she described as a Christmas gift to her fans. The song features original lyrics accompanied by the music of western classics such as White Christmas, Feliz Navidad, The Little Drummer Boy, Joy to the World, Jingle Bells and more. The accompanying music video, released on the Al Jadeed TV channel, featured Saba singing in the studio, accompanied by her actor husband Youssef El Khal.
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