William Sandys

William Sandys (1792 – February 18, 1874) was an eminent 19th-century English antiquarian, lawyer, folklorist, and musicologist whose pioneering historical work preserved some of the most famous and beloved Christmas carols in human history. His landmark 1833 publication, 'Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern', collected and canonized traditional British and Cornish festive music. Through Sandys' preservation efforts, the world first received the modern musical and lyrical publications of timeless holiday masterpieces including 'The First Noel', 'God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen', 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' (early variations), 'I Saw Three Ships', and 'Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day'. His work rescued ancient folk carols from oral obscurity and established the foundation of modern Christmas musical tradition. Sandys' historical contributions remain celebrated in music history and classical choral music worldwide. For guitarists, choir directors, and pianists, the traditional carols compiled by William Sandys provide classic modal progressions and beautiful traditional folk chords that are performed every holiday season in every corner of the world.