Among the classic holiday jingles, these are the two that have been around for centuries.

You’re bound to listen to the joyful sounds generating cheerful, festive feelings wherever you are.

by heart, what you probably don’t know is that these classics aren’t the oldest Christmas carols.

Vintage Boy and Girl Singing Christmas Carols

Credit: H. Armstrong Roberts / ClassicStock / Getty Images

Here’s a history of the oldest Christmas carols.

Not only that, but theearliest songscelebrating the season weren’t Christmas carols at allthey were hymns.

This group performed in public spaces during the 19th century, becoming some of the first “carolers.”

They would eventually go door-to-door, singing and acting in a way much closer to the current caroling tradition.