Other fun Christmas fact I learned this year: Carol of the Bells is based on an old Ukrainian folk song, which is itself based on a much, much, much, MUCH older tune

That one used to unnerve me in a really weird way as a kid to the point where I'd plug my ears and, well, that shit is literally prehistoric so six-year old me feels sort of vindicated here

If you've ever wondered why it sounds so odd, now you know, anyway

Jingle Bells: Laughter, horses, sleigh accidents that are blessedly not fatal

Sleigh Ride: Canoodling in a sled, crashing a farmer's birthday party, how droll

Carol of the Bells: PREHISTORIC MAGICAL DIRGE

It is way, way better in the original Ukrainian, oof

(Also the altos have more to do than go DING DONG DING DONG)