Celtic Thunder delivered a heartwarming holiday performance with their live rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” from their 2010 concert in Poughkeepsie, delighting fans with a stage that looked straight out of a snowy winter wonderland. The ensemble’s harmonies, full of warmth and precision, evoked the timeless spirit of the season while showcasing their choral prowess.
Unlike many holiday performances, Celtic Thunder took the time to interact directly with the audience, spending a full minute engaging with fans, exchanging smiles, and encouraging sing-alongs. The moment captured the joy of the season in a way that went beyond music, creating a shared celebration of community, family, and festive cheer.
The carol itself has a rich history, thought to have originated in the 16th or 17th century. Traditionally, carolers would sing door-to-door to bring good tidings — often asking for figgy pudding to sustain them through cold winter nights. Celtic Thunder’s arrangement, influenced by composer Arthur Warrell’s 1939 publication A Merry Christmas, adds a contemporary touch while honoring the carol’s centuries-old charm.
Fans and viewers took to social media to share their admiration. Comments ranged from nostalgic memories of Christmas past to heartfelt wishes for the season:
“What a beautiful song — brings back so many memories of Christmases with family!”
“Merry Christmas Celtic Thunder! Your music makes the season feel magical!”
“Beautiful memories of that year — such a stunning performance and so much holiday joy.”
The performance also highlighted the group’s ability to balance musical excellence with accessibility, making it easy for viewers at home to sing along and feel part of the celebration. The combination of intricate vocal arrangements, joyful brass sections, and the ensemble’s signature theatrical presence created a perfect holiday spectacle.
What are the lyrics to ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’?
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
We wish a merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring some out here
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year
For we all like our figgy pudding
For we all like our figgy pudding
For we all like our figgy pudding
With all this good cheer
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year
And we won’t go until we get some
And we won’t go until we get some
And we won’t go until we get some
So bring some out here
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
