This volume investigates the historical origins, musical development, and cultural significance of traditional carols within the Western liturgical and folk traditions. Percy Dearmer, alongside co-editors Martin Shaw and Ralph Vaughan Williams, compiled this collection to preserve the integrity of carol singing by sourcing authentic melodies and texts. The work serves as both a scholarly reference and a practical resource for choirs, emphasizing the distinction between genuine carols and later, less authentic compositions.

Experts and musicologists regard this collection as a foundational text for the study and performance of traditional carols. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the editorial notes, which provide essential context for the evolution of choral music.