Q 01/05

Where were the words of the carol first published, in 1780?

A) A church hymnal

B) A Scottish broadside

C) An illustrated children's book

D) A French songbook

Answer · why

C) An illustrated children's book

The book was called Mirth Without Mischief and appeared in London. No music was printed with it.

Q 02/05

What was the title of that 1780 children's book?

A) Merry Christmastide

B) Mirth Without Mischief

C) The Yuletide Garland

D) Songs for the Season

Answer · why

B) Mirth Without Mischief

It printed the words but no tune. The familiar melody arrived more than a century later.

Q 03/05

What kind of parlour entertainment do early sources say the song began as?

A) A memory-and-forfeits game

B) A dancing competition

C) A card game for coins

D) A drinking wager

Answer · why

A) A memory-and-forfeits game

Players repeated a growing verse and paid a forfeit for mistakes. That is why the list keeps piling up.

Q 04/05

Who arranged the standard version of the carol, published in 1909?

A) John Stainer

B) Ralph Vaughan Williams

C) Cecil Sharp

D) Frederic Austin

Answer · why

D) Frederic Austin

His arrangement was published by Novello & Co in 1909. The drawn-out 'five gold rings' is his own addition.

Q 05/05

Which part of the tune is credited as an original addition rather than traditional?

A) The opening line

B) The final verse

C) The 'five gold rings' phrase

D) The pear tree refrain

Answer · why

C) The 'five gold rings' phrase

Frederic Austin wrote it into his 1909 arrangement. The rest of the melody is much older.