The
Music of Advent – Part 4
“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” is a favorite Advent/Christmas hymn in days
past as well as in modern times. The history of its composition is briefly told
by Rupert Christiansen in his article titled, “The Story Behind the Carol: O Little
Town of Bethlehem.”
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| From "Joy Comes to Bethlehem," by Connie Wohlford |
“Two years later, back in Massachusetts, he was inspired by the experience to write this carol for his Sunday school. Rev Brooks - 6ft 6in tall and capable of preaching at more than 200 words a minute - was a favourite with children; when one woman told her daughter that he had died, the girl replied: ‘O how happy the angels will be.’
“Brooks' carol was an instant success in the USA, but only came to England when Vaughan Williams introduced it in 1906, arranging it to the traditional tune Forest Green, which he had collected from peasants in Surrey in 1903.”*
Lyrics for “O Little Town of Bethlehem:”
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the king,
And peace to men on earth.
For Christ is born of Mary;
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven,
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in:
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel. *
Let’s end with a piece of nostalgia for me and other grey-haired folks, (actually I color my hair, but …). Enjoy listening to this beautiful carol through the melodious voice of Nat King Cole.
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