A Christmas ding dong could break out after historians revealed we are singing traditional seasonal carol favourites in the wrong tune and even at the wrong time of year. History buffs from English Heritage believe the way we belt out the classic Yuletide tunes is very different to when they were originally composed hundreds of years ago.

The conservation body said Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem and While Shepherds Watched have all likely changed in the way they are delivered.

And although today many of us are familiar with carol singing standing in church or raising money on someone’s doorstep, it’s actually the case that many historical carols were meant to be danced along to.

Dr Michael Carter, English Heritage’s Senior Properties Historian, said: “As a big fan of Christmas who enjoys nothing more than belting out a carol, I feel a little churlish pointing out that Christmas carols having fixed melodies is a modern innovation.

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“In actual fact only a fraction of medieval Christmas carols retain their original score, and it’s entirely possible that in many instances these were never composed at all.

“Instead, many tunes were simply made up on the spot. In perhaps happier news, we might also think of carols today as solemn and reflective, but the first carols were actually written to be danced to and would have been a rather jolly affair.

“While this is a practice I personally hope we revive, it’s worth remembering that carols are a living tradition, evolving through the centuries, and should be celebrated in all forms, especially at Christmas.”

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English Heritage also revealed we sing carols at the wrong time because they would have originally been sung during the 12 days of Christmas, from Christmas Eve until the Epiphany, January 6, not in the weeks before Christmas as we do today.

It added that carols were not originally sung in churches: “Instead they were sung in more worldly spaces, such as alehouses, door-to-door and while enjoying Christmas hospitality in the hall of a great household.

“Although often religious in content, carols were not part fully integrated into church services until the late Victorian era.”

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