Sussex Carol

The Sussex Carol is a well-known English Christmas hymn that traces its roots back to the early 17th century. It is traditionally attributed to Luke Wadding, an Irish bishop who is believed to have written down the carol around 1628. The text celebrates the joy of Christ’s birth, announcing the “news of great joy” to mankind, echoing the angelic proclamation to the shepherds in Luke chapter 2. Its words invite all believers to rejoice in the coming of the Savior, emphasizing themes of peace, joy, and salvation brought by the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Although the text dates back to Wadding’s time, the carol gained widespread recognition when it was collected in Sussex, England, by Rev. Luke Flood and later popularized through Ralph Vaughan Williams, who published it in the Oxford Book of Carols in 1928. Vaughan Williams heard the carol sung by Harriet Verrall of Monk’s Gate, Sussex, and arranged it into the now-familiar version sung in churches and choirs around the world. This regional preservation is what gave the piece its modern title, Sussex Carol.

Today, the Sussex Carol holds a beloved place in Christmas worship and concerts. Its lively tune and joyful text make it a favorite for both congregational singing and choral arrangements. The carol bridges centuries of Christian devotion, reminding believers that the message of Christ’s birth is timeless: “On Christmas night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring.” It endures as a hymn that joins historical tradition with present-day celebration of the Lord’s coming.