About the song
Sir Tom Jones Reflects on Recording The Wexford Carols
“It Brought Me Back to the True Spirit of Song and Soul.”
London, England — For over six decades, Sir Tom Jones has conquered nearly every genre — from rock and soul to gospel and blues — but when the 83-year-old Welsh legend lent his unmistakable voice to The Wexford Carols, something deeper stirred within him. In a recent interview, Tom described the experience as “a spiritual homecoming” — a reminder of why he began singing in the first place.
“It wasn’t about fame, or big arrangements,” he said, leaning back with his familiar warmth. “It was about faith, about storytelling, about music that touches something eternal.”
A Journey Back to Tradition
The Wexford Carols — a collection of traditional 17th and 18th-century Irish Christmas carols — has been passed down through generations, celebrated for its haunting melodies and poetic depth. When Irish singer and music historian Caitríona O’Leary invited Sir Tom Jones to participate in a new recording of the carols, he immediately felt drawn to the project.
“When Caitríona explained the history — how these songs were sung in candlelit churches, in small villages, by people who truly lived the stories — I said, ‘Yes, I want to be part of that,’” Tom recalled.
Recording took place in Ireland, where the atmosphere matched the soul of the music. “It was different from anything I’ve done,” Tom said. “No flashy studios, no pressure. Just wooden beams, soft light, and voices blending together. It felt sacred.”
Faith, Memory, and Voice
For Tom, the experience also awakened personal memories. He spoke about growing up in Pontypridd, Wales, where Christmas hymns filled the small stone churches of his youth.
“My mother loved carols,” he remembered. “We didn’t have much, but when people sang together, you could feel heaven come down. Those harmonies — that’s where my love of music began.”
On The Wexford Carols, Tom’s deep, resonant voice takes on a different tone — less showman, more storyteller. The songs, rooted in old Celtic and Christian traditions, explore themes of hope, birth, and redemption.
“It’s humbling,” he said. “These songs aren’t about perfection. They’re about truth. When I sang them, I wasn’t thinking about how I sounded — I was thinking about what they meant.”
A Timeless Collaboration
Working with Caitríona O’Leary and acclaimed musicians like Rosanne Cash and Rhiannon Giddens, Tom found himself surrounded by artists who shared his reverence for tradition.
“There was a warmth in that room,” he said. “Everyone respected the history — but we also brought a bit of ourselves to it. That’s the beauty of music: it connects the past and the present.”
Producers described Tom’s voice as “earth and heaven at once.” Even after decades in the business, his tone carried the same raw emotion that first made the world fall in love with “It’s Not Unusual.”
Rediscovering the Heart of Music
For Sir Tom Jones, The Wexford Carols wasn’t just another recording — it was a reminder of purpose.
“At this point in my life,” he said, “I don’t chase hits. I chase meaning. I want to sing songs that lift people, that remind them of something pure.”
As he finished the final take, he reportedly paused, looked around the quiet Irish church, and whispered, “That’s what it’s all about.”
And perhaps that’s the true magic of Tom Jones — even after 60 years on stage, he still finds new ways to touch the divine through song.
