The Forgotten History of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'
Dan O'Donnell tells the story of how a children's game became a beloved Christmas song.
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Society & Culture
Forgotten History of Christmas Carols
Dan O'Donnell tells the stories of our favorite Christmas songs.
Episodes
15 episodes
The Forgotten History of 'Deck the Halls'
How did a randy New Year's Eve song become a beloved Christmas carol? Dan O'Donnell explains.
The Forgotten History of 'Here Comes Santa Claus'
Dan O'Donnell tells the tale of how Santa Claus upstaging Gene Autry in a parade led to one of the world's best-known Christmas carols.
The Forgotten History of 'What Child is This'
Dan O'Donnell gives the history of a song that's so old, no one is quite sure when it was first written.
The Forgotten History of 'Silver Bells'
Dan O'Donnell tells the story of why we should all thank a songwriter's wife for not singing about "tinkle bells" every Christmas.
The Forgotten History of 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'
One of Santa's reindeer a drunk? Dan O'Donnell explains how that belief nearly prevented the release of one of the most beloved Christmas so...
The Forgotten History of 'The Christmas Song'
Dan O'Donnell explains how one of the world's most beloved Christmas carols started as merely a way for a songwriter to keep cool on a hot s...
The Forgotten History of 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'
A record label deemed it to be too sad to be a Christmas carol, but struck a poignant chord with soldiers serving in World War II. Dan O'Don...
The Forgotten History of 'Good King Wenceslas'
Did you know the good king was actually a real king (well, technically the duke of Bohemia)? Dan O'Donnell tells the tale of Wenceslas I.
The Forgotten History of 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'
Dan O'Donnell tells the story of how a 13 year-old girl recorded one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.
The Forgotten History of 'O Holy Night'
One of the most famous religious Christmas carols of all time was written by someone who wasn't religious at all. Dan O'Donnell tells the fa...
The Forgotten History of 'White Christmas'
Dan O'Donnell tells the story of how the bestselling Christmas song of all time was recorded in just 18 minutes.
The Forgotten History of 'Baby It's Cold Outside'
A husband and wife's private love song becomes an Oscar-winning worldwide sensation. Dan O'Donnell explains how.
The Forgotten History of 'Jingle Bells'
Dan O'Donnell explains how a tune originally written for Thanksgiving eventually became the first song ever broadcast from outer space.
The Forgotten History of 'Silent Night'
Dan O'Donnell tells the story of how two friends, a guitar, and a broken church organ created one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all...