9v casino login SUNLU Formnext 2024 Event Highlights: From Functional Filaments to FilaDryer E2SHE’S up early for an ice-cold wash, full-body workout and £2,000 electric face mask session – and that’s all before she tackles the school run. A day in the life of Victoria Beckham is a terrifyingly well-organised affair. Advertisement 6 A day in the life of Victoria Beckham, pictured with David, is a terrifyingly well-organised affair Credit: Rex 6 Victoria flexes her muscles as she does her workout Credit: Instagram 6 Once she has her face on, Victoria dashes downstairs to join husband David for a weights workout with their personal trainer Bobby Credit: Instagram 6 Victoria said: 'Harper says I can burn water, so it’s probably better for everyone that I don’t' Credit: Ruckas But the mum of four is the first to admit she is a control freak and runs a tight ship. In a revealing new interview, Victoria, 50, has told how she is on the go from the moment she wakes up, filming the sunrise and her make-up routine to use on her social media. “I like to find good light in front of a window because I don’t want to use crazy filters,” she explained. “The number of people who say, ‘Why are you showing one side of your face . . . ’ Advertisement Read More on Showbiz BLAST FROM PAST Secrets of Band Aid 40 years on including group on coke & changed lyrics MAD LOVE Watch moment pop star Mabel gets engaged to son of footy legend “I’m like, ‘Give me a break’. I don’t have a script, I’m holding the phone and trying to film myself applying make-up at the same time.” Once she has her face on, Victoria dashes downstairs to join husband David for a weights workout with their personal trainer Bobby. While David, 49, then pops off for an invigorating ice bath, Posh spends 30 minutes lying under her £2,000 mega Dermalux infrared light to calm and soothe her skin. Not a moment is wasted, though, as she uses the time to meditate or strategise. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity BERT BATTERS SCOTS Storm Bert wreaks havoc across Scotland as weather bomb kills 3 in UK Exclusive MY LORD Rangers poised to name new chairman as Lord emerges as main contender for top job RANGERS 1 DUNDEE UTD 1 Snow joke as Clement gets blizzard of abuse over more dropped points COLD BEERS SPFL side spotted going for a PINT after their bus got stuck in the snow Next it is time to dispatch the youngest of the Beckham brood, Harper, 13, off to school. Victoria is a stickler for good manners in all four of the Beckham children, explaining: “I can’t bear kids who grunt.” Victoria Beckham supported by famous family at her Paris Fashion Week show as son Cruz cosies up to stunning girlfriend Jackie Apostel She then pops on her most prized possession, a gold watch from Golden Balls. Inscribed with “Mummy we love you”, it was given to her by David when she got her OBE for services to fashion and charity in 2017. Advertisement Later, off she heads to her fashion HQ a couple of miles from the Beckhams’ West London mansion , dressed head to toe in her trademark black. Gone are the low-rise jeans and crop tops of her Spice Girls days — Victoria sold off her pop star wardrobe for charity years ago. Once at her desk, she admits: “I obsess over every single detail. Everything has to have a reason for existing. It’s great when people recognise that.” Of course, David is a fan of her luxury beauty range. Advertisement Apparently, the former England captain usually cannot stand hand creams because the strong fragrances put him off his food. But he loves his wife’s Portofino ’97 moisturiser, priced £38. “That’s praise, let me tell you,” said Victoria. It is hardly surprising, since the cream was named after the pair’s romantic trip to the Italian resort when they first got together in 1997. On her entrepreneurial eldest son, Brooklyn, 25, Victoria went on to reveal how he has inherited her obsessive nature when it comes to business decisions. Advertisement “I see a lot of me in him,” she said. She proudly boasted how hands-on Brooklyn was when it came to creating his Cloud23 hot sauce range, which launched last month. ‘I obsess over every single detail’ “Brooklyn was all over every single aspect — not just the contents, but the bottle, the lid,” said Victoria. “It’s not easy for him but I’ve told him he has to be patient. Look how long it’s taken me.” Advertisement Unsurprisingly, mealtimes for Victoria are tightly controlled, too. She has not eaten meat since age eight. Very occasionally, she treats herself to a vodka, lime and soda cocktail, known as a Skinny B*tch. And she never cooks. Victoria said: “Harper says I can burn water, so it’s probably better for everyone that I don’t.” David once revealed his wife has the same meal every day, saying: “She only eats grilled fish, steamed vegetables — she will rarely deviate from that.” But Victoria, who has suffered from hormonal acne in the past, defended her regime, explaining: “It was because of my skin that I became very careful about what I ate.” Advertisement 6 Posh spends 30 minutes lying under her £2,000 mega Dermalux infrared light to calm and soothe her skin All those years of self-control have paid off. Speaking to The Telegraph Magazine after winning their Beauty Brand of the Year award, Victoria said she finally feels confident about her skin and has stopped stressing about what the public think of her. She added: “Was there a time when I used to scroll through all the comments about me? Probably. But now I just don’t have the time. “If you’d told me years ago I’d step on to a red carpet wearing only a bit of concealer and no foundation, I’d have thought you were mad — but that’s what I did last week.” Advertisement David has also won round his fiercest critics. Last year, Netflix aired the Beckham documentary, taking a look at his early years as a footballer, including when he enraged England fans by being sent off during the 1998 World Cup for kicking an Argentina player. We’re glass half full people. All of us Victoria Beckham Victoria revealed: “After it came out, a man left a note on David’s car saying, ‘Dear David, on behalf of the British public, we’re really sorry. We loved the documentary’. That was really, really sweet. “I got emotional when I watched the part with David and me dancing. Even Brooklyn said, ‘How many takes did you need for that?’. But nothing was rehearsed.” The Beckhams are not the sort to complain, at least not publicly. Advertisement Victoria said: “We’re glass half full people. All of us. Read more on the Scottish Sun FESTIVE FIZZ Coca-Cola Christmas truck in Scotland: Dates, locations & all you need to know AND RELAX Scots seaside hotel with outdoor hot tub and firepit named UK's top spa resort “We were watching Inside Out [a children’s film featuring emotions as characters] the other day, and the kids said, ‘You’re Joy, Mum’. “What a compliment.” 6 Victoria says David loves her Portofino ’97 moisturiser, priced £38 Advertisement

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Scott Turner, President-elect Donald Trump choice to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is a former NFL player who ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term. Turner, 52, is the first Black person selected to be a member of the Republican’s Cabinet. Here are some things to know about Turner: From Professional Football to Politics Turner grew up in a Dallas suburb, Richardson, and graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was a defensive back and spent nine seasons in the NFL beginning in 1995, playing for the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. During offseasons, he worked as an intern then-Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. After Turner retired in 2004, he worked full time for the congressman. In 2006, Turner ran unsuccessfully as a Republican in California’s 50th Congressional District. Turner joined the Texas House in 2013 as part of a large crop of tea party-supported lawmakers. He tried unsuccessfully to become speaker before he finished his second term in 2016. He did not seek a third term. Motivational Speaker and Pastor Turner also worked for a software company in a position called “chief inspiration officer” and said he acted as a professional mentor, pastor, and councilor for the employees and executive team. He has also been a motivational speaker. He and his wife, Robin Turner, founded a nonprofit promoting initiatives to improve childhood literacy. His church, Prestonwood Baptist Church, lists him as an associate pastor. He is also chair of the center for education opportunity at America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers to lay the groundwork if he won a second term. Related Story: Headed Council in Trump’s First Term Trump introduced Turner in April 2019 as the head of the new White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Trump credited Turner with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” The mission of the council was to coordinate with various federal agencies to attract investment to so-called “Opportunity Zones,” which were economically depressed areas eligible to be used for the federal tax incentives. Related Story: The Role of HUD HUD is responsible for addressing the nation’s housing needs. It also is charged with fair housing laws and oversees housing for the poorest Americans, sheltering more than 4.3 million low-income families through public housing, rental subsidy and voucher programs. The agency, with a budget of tens of billions of dollars, runs a multitude of programs that do everything from reducing homelessness to promoting homeownership. It also funds the construction of affordable housing and provides vouchers that allow low income families pay for housing in the private market. During the campaign, Trump focused mostly on the prices of housing, not public housing. He railed against the high cost of housing and said he could make it more affordable by cracking down on illegal immigration and reducing inflation. He also said he would work to reduce regulations on home construction and make some federal land available for residential construction.None

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The first phase of Museum of Letters and Literature, established by the Department of Cooperation, will open to the public on November 26 in Kottayam — the City of Letters. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the museum at a ceremony presided over by Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan. On the occasion, the Chief Minister will also launch the Letter Tourism Circuit Project, which aims to connect significant cultural and literary landmarks in Kottayam. Author M. Mukundan will be honoured with the 5th Aksharapuraskaram, jointly instituted by the Department of Cooperation and the Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society (SPCS), on the occasion. An array of writers including T. Padmanabhan, M.K. Sanu, N.S. Madhavan, V. Madhusoodanan Nair, and Ezhacherry Ramachandran will participate. The museum, a first-of-its-kind in India, spans 15,000 square feet and is located in Nattakom, near Kottayam. Equipped with cutting-edge facilities including theater and hologram system, the museum aims to chronicle the rich history of language, literature, and culture. The first phase, consisting of four galleries, presents a journey from the origins of language to the modern evolution of Malayalam. The first gallery explores the beginnings of human language through oral traditions, cave paintings, and hieroglyphic. The second gallery traces the evolution of Indian scripts over centuries, while the third gallery highlights the history of Malayalam printing, including milestones in printing technology and key literary works. The fourth gallery delves into the contributions of the Sahitya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society. Visitors will also find rich multimedia content covering literacy initiatives in Kerala, Dravidian languages, and the 36 tribal languages of Kerala. On the first floor, a Language Gallery offers insights into over the 6,000 languages spoken worldwide and features charts showcasing the chronological evolution of Indian scripts. Letter Tourism Circuit As part of the initiative, a Letter Tourism Circuit will connect Kottayam’s most iconic cultural, historical, and literary landmarks, including the Kottayam CMS Press -- the birthplace of Malayalam printing; Kottayam Valiyapally, which is known for its holy cross engraved with Pahlavi inscriptions; and the Kumaranellur Devi Temple, which houses palm leaf manuscripts and ancient scriptures, among others. Other key locations include the Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple, Panachikkad Devi temple, Tazhathangadi Juma Masjid, and Mannanam St. Joseph Press, one of Kerala’s earliest printing presses. The museum has been constructed on land owned by the Sahitya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society, established in 1945. Published - November 24, 2024 06:58 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditNone

Clarke Reed, who helped Gerald Ford win the 1976 Republican nomination, has died at 96NEW YORK — The brooding waltz was carefully composed on a sheet of music roughly the size of an index card. The brief, moody number also bore an intriguing name, written at the top in cursive: “Chopin.” A previously unknown work of music penned by the European master Frederic Chopin appears to have been found at the Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan. The untitled and unsigned piece is on display this month at the opulently appointed institution, which had once been the private library of financier J.P. Morgan. A previously unknown musical manuscript, possibly by Frederic Chopin, is held in a display case after it was discovered at The Morgan Library & Museum on Nov. 13 in New York. Robinson McClellan, the museum curator who uncovered the manuscript, said it's the first new work associated with the Romantic era composer to be discovered in nearly a century. But McClellan concedes that it may never be known whether it is an original Chopin work or merely one written in his hand. The piece, set in the key of A minor, stands out for its “very stormy, brooding opening section” before transitioning to a melancholy melody more characteristic of Chopin, McClellan explained. “This is his style. This is his essence,” he said during a recent visit to the museum. “It really feels like him.” McClellan said he came across the work in May as he was going through a collection from the late Arthur Satz, a former president of the New York School of Interior Design. Satz acquired it from A. Sherrill Whiton Jr., an avid autograph collector who had been director of the school. McClellan then worked with experts to verify its authenticity. The paper was found to be consistent with what Chopin favored for manuscripts, and the ink matched a kind typical in the early 19th century when Chopin lived, according to the museum. But a handwriting analysis determined the name “Chopin” written at the top of the sheet was penned by someone else. Born in Poland, Chopin was considered a musical genius from an early age. He lived in Warsaw and Vienna before settling in Paris, where he died in 1849 at the age of 39, likely of tuberculosis. A previously unknown musical manuscript, possibly by Frederic Chopin, is seen in a display case after it was discovered at The Morgan Library & Museum, Nov. 13 in New York. He’s buried among a pantheon of artists at the city’s famed Père Lachaise Cemetery, but his heart, pickled in a jar of alcohol, is housed in a church in Warsaw, in keeping with his deathbed wish for the organ to return to his homeland. Artur Szklener, director of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw, the Polish capital city where the composer grew up, agreed that the document is consistent with the kinds of ink and paper Chopin used during his early years in Paris. Musically, the piece evokes the “brilliant style” that made Chopin a luminary in his time, but it also has features unusual for his compositions, Szklener said. “First of all, it is not a complete work, but rather a certain musical gesture, a theme laced with rather simple piano tricks alluding to a virtuoso style," Szklener explained in a lengthy statement released after the document was revealed last month. He and other experts conjecture the piece could have been a work in progress. It may have also been a copy of another's work, or even co-written with someone else, perhaps a student for a musical exercise. Jeffrey Kallberg, a University of Pennsylvania music professor and Chopin expert who helped authenticate the document, called the piece a “little gem” that Chopin likely intended as a gift for a friend or wealthy acquaintance. “Many of the pieces that he gave as gifts were short – kind of like ‘appetizers’ to a full-blown work,” Kallberg said in an email. “And we don’t know for sure whether he intended the piece to see the light of day because he often wrote out the same waltz more than once as a gift.” David Ludwig, dean of music at The Juilliard School, a performing arts conservatory in Manhattan, agreed the piece has many of the hallmarks of the composer’s style. “It has the Chopin character of something very lyrical and it has a little bit of darkness as well,” said Ludwig, who was not involved in authenticating the document. But Ludwig noted that, if it's authentic, the tightly composed score would be one of Chopin’s shortest known pieces. The waltz clocks in at under a minute long when played on piano, as many of Chopin’s works were intended. “In terms of the authenticity of it, in a way it doesn’t matter because it sparks our imaginations,” Ludwig said. “A discovery like this highlights the fact that classical music is very much a living art form.” The Chopin reveal comes after the Leipzig Municipal Libraries in Germany announced in September that it uncovered a previously unknown piece likely composed by a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in its collections. Christmas music has a long and storied history beginning centuries ago with pagan rituals. Those traditions evolved with St. Francis of Assisi’s Nativity plays in the 13th century, and survived Puritan rule when many Christmas traditions and celebrations were banned during part of the 17th century. Traveling minstrels spread original songs before the invention of the printing press in 1440 ushered in an era of texts that served as the foundation for some of the most beloved Christmas songs. These tunes would be shared in the form of poetry and hymns printed on broadsides . Today, Christmas music runs the gamut from silly to revolutionary. Songs range from grandmothers getting trampled by reindeer to those based on the work of a Romantic-period poet. Who knew that the catchy tune of Wenceslas, the king with the funny name, is a reverent song about the patron saint of the Czech Republic? Or perhaps it would surprise readers to discover that “Silent Night” was designated as an item of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. These songs we know by heart and hear so often have rich histories rooted in things like war, religion, social reform, and slavery. Stacker compiled a list of Christmas songs released before 1920 and explored the origins of these pieces. This list includes Christmas carols, famous instrumentals, popular hymns, and spirituals from countries around the world. Many of these songs were created out of a chance collaboration between artists spanning time and space; a clergyman pens a hymn, and years later, a composer resurrects those words and sets them to a melody. It may come as no surprise, then, that what people consider to be Christmas classics are among the most-covered Christmas songs of all time . “Silent Night,” for example, had 137,315 recordings according to a 2017 Billboard report. Read on to learn about the rich histories of some of the most beloved Christmas songs that are more than a century old. You may also like: 71 years of Emmy history Written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 and originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh,” “Jingle Bells” is one of the most beloved and ubiquitous Christmas carols in existence. In 1965, astronauts Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford made “Jingle Bells,” the first song heard from space as they orbited Earth aboard the Gemini 6. It may be surprising that this Christmas classic was written as a Thanksgiving song. This traditional English Christmas carol refers to the practice of wassailing, the definition of which has evolved over the years . In the song, wassailing is the practice of traveling door-to-door, wishing good health, and asking for a bit of hospitality and Christmas tidings in return, including a drink from a communal bowl filled with mulled cider or ale called wassail. Other familiar variants of the song include “Here We Come A-Caroling,” and “Here We Come A Christmasing.” Published by hymn writer John Mason Neale in 1853, this carol was based on the life of the virtuous ruler Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia . Wenceslaus I was revered for his piety, morality, and virtue. After his assassination, he was posthumously conferred as a king by Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, which is why people don’t sing of good Duke Wenceslaus. Wenceslaus was elevated to sainthood immediately after his death, and he's considered the patron saint of the Czech Republic. The version of “O Tannenbaum” most of us are familiar with today was written in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz, a well-known organist and composer from Leipzig, Germany. Anschütz’s version was one of many based on a 16th-century German folk song that pays homage to the steadfast nature of the "Tannenbaum," the German word for a fir tree. The song’s association with Christmas began with Anschütz even though no explicit mention of Christmas was made in his original lyrics. Furthermore, most Christmas trees are spruce, not fir. Readers may be more familiar with the song’s English title, “O Christmas Tree.” If you’ve ever wondered what “God rest you merry” means, you’re not alone. This carol’s title is often misinterpreted, mispunctuated, and widely debated. The phrase “rest you merry” is used in the same way we use “rest assured.” It is not an address to merry gentlemen but rather an imperative statement to all gentlemen to be happy, citing the birth of Christ. It’s even referenced in Charles Dickens' classic “A Christmas Carol.” The earliest known print edition of the carol dates back to 1760, but its author is unknown. You may also like: 30 celebrities you might not know are LGBTQ Originally titled “Three Kings of Orient,” this carol was written by journalist-turned-clergyman John Henry Hopkins in 1857 for a Christmas pageant and published six years later. The carol chronicles the Christian gospel of Matthew in which three biblical magi, commonly known as the three wise men, bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the birth of Jesus. Edmund Sears—a Unitarian pastor in Wayland, Mass.—wrote a five-stanza poem titled “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” in 1849. It was adapted by American composer Richard Storrs Willis in 1850 and set to a melody called “Carol.” The words of this poem-turned-carol are regarded as an account of the issues at the time. Topics referred to in the song include the end of the Mexican-American war and a call for peace among men. Proudly rejoicing the nativity of Jesus, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” was an African-American spiritual dating back to 1865. John Wesley Work Jr. was a composer and ethnomusicologist who compiled hundreds of spirituals and even composed a few, including “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” in his work: “American Negro Songs and Spirituals; A Comprehensive Collection of 230 Folk Songs, Religious and Secular.” Written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 and published in 1871, this carol explores what the shepherds present at the birth of Jesus must have been thinking when they encountered him. In gospel, hymns, and art, shepherds are central characters in the Nativity of Jesus. The song is set to the familiar melody of “Greensleeves,” a 16th-century English folk song. The exact origins of this popular carol are unknown, but it is most often credited to John Francis Wade. Originally written and printed in Latin as “Adeste Fideles,” it first appeared in Wade’s 1751 collection “Cantus Diversi.” You may also like: Exploring minority representation in the biggest box office winners ever What began in 1818 as a modest performance outside of St. Nicholas parish in Oberndorf, Austria, has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. Translated into over 300 languages, “Stille Nacht” was written by a priest named Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818. The song became popular among traveling folk singers, and before long, it could be heard around the world. The English version we know today called “Silent Night” was not written until 1863. “Stille Nacht” was named an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011 . “Carol of the Bells” is no doubt familiar to you, if not by name, then by melody. The carol was based on an Ukranian folk chant called "Shchedryk,” which was traditionally sung on New Year’s Eve as it spoke of good fortune for the upcoming year. American composer Peter J. Wilhousky adapted the lyrics "Shchedryk” into a Christmas song in 1919 using the original musical arrangement by Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych. Many artists have covered the carol over the last century, and one of its more popular variants is “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. “In the Bleak Midwinter” was based on a poem of the same name written by English poet Christina Georgina Rossetti in 1872. English composer Gustav Holst first set the poem to music in 1906. This particular carol was published by Cecil Sharp, a famous conservator of English folk tradition, in 1911. The song is packed with symbolism that dates back to pagan rituals. Holly, representing males, and ivy, representing females, used to be burned together during the pagan festival of Beltane to encourage a fruitful spring. In Christianity, holly is symbolic of the crown of thorns Jesus wore during his crucifixion. With this rich history, evergreens like holly and ivy are viewed as symbols of rebirth and renewal, which are common themes celebrated at Christmas time. This carol was based on the poem "Christmas Bells," written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas Day in 1863. With an injured wife and a son who joined the union army against his father’s wishes, Longfellow lamented hearing bells on Christmas Day during the American Civil War. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness when goodwill and peace on Earth seemed impossible. The poem was set to music in 1872 by English composer John Baptiste Calkin. You may also like: Mistakes from the 50 best movies of all time “O Holy Night” is based on a French poem titled "Minuit, Chrétiens," written by Placide Cappeau at the behest of a parish priest. Composer Adolphe Adam set the poem to music that same year, and it quickly gained popularity throughout France. When Cappeau denounced the Catholic Church to join the socialist movement, the church responded by denouncing his beloved carol. The song made a resurgence after it was translated into English and introduced in America by John Sullivan Dwight. After visiting Bethlehem in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem , Phillips Brooks was inspired to write about his experiences. Brooks, an Episcopal priest, shared the poem he had written with Lewis Redner, his church’s organist, and asked him to create a melody for it so they could perform it at an upcoming Sunday school service. In a single evening, Redner composed the tune that we know today. Reflecting on the success of the carol, Redner stated : “Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.” Mistakenly attributed, for many years, to Martin Luther—the seminal figure of Europe’s Protestant Reformation in the 16th century—and even titling early versions of this piece “Luther’s Cradle Song,” “Away in a Manger” is a relatively simple carol with unknown origins. The first record of the text being set to music with the title “Away in a Manger” is found in the 1885 publication “Little Children's Book for Schools and Families.” The carol we know as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was originally titled "Hymn for Christmas-Day,” published in 1739 by Charles Wesley, leader of the Methodist movement and brother to John Wesley, the movement’s founder. But it was George Whitefield who adapted the text in 1753 to give us that familiar opener “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The melody was composed by Felix Mendelssohn and later adapted by William H. Cummings in 1855 to create the song that's popular today. This numeric carol was originally published in England in 1780 in a children’s book called “Mirth Without Mischief.” It is believed to be a type of children's memory-and-forfeit game in which the singer must remember every verse or forfeit something if they make a mistake. You may also like: Best and worst Al Pacino movies Citing the gospel of Luke, this English carol is based on a French song called “Les Anges dans nos campagnes.” The lyrics were written by James Chadwick, a bishop in 1862. His words were set to the tune "Gloria," which was arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes. This Christmas ballad is believed to date back to the 15th century. Unlike many other carols that reference the gospels of Luke or Matthew, this story takes place sometime in between as Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem. It is one of the few depictions of Joseph struggling to accept Mary’s pregnancy, evidenced through lyrics such as “O then bespoke Joseph/ With words so unkind,/ Let him pluck thee a cherry/That brought thee with child.” The song was made popular again by Joan Baez’s rendition in 1961. The exact origins of this carol are unknown, but it is believed to be one of the oldest carols still sung today. Dating back to the 12th century, “The Friendly Beasts” is a traditional French carol about the animals present at the birth of Jesus and the gifts they bestowed on him. “Joy to the World” was originally written as a hymn by Isaac Watts. Watt’s adaptation of Psalm 98 interprets Christ as the king of the church and as the king of the world. “Joy to the World” is one of the most recorded Christmas songs of all time . Perhaps the darkest song on this list, “Coventry Carol,” depicts the biblical event “The Massacre of the Innocents” in which King Herod ordered the killing of all male babies under the age of two in Bethlehem. The song takes the form of a lullaby recited to the persecuted children. In Christianity, “The Massacre of the Innocents” is an important part of the broader Nativity story and thus a relevant story in the Christmas narrative. “Coventry Carol” was originally part of a medieval mystery play performed in England called “The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors.” You may also like: Best Grateful Dead albums of all time Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!None