2nd December, 2022
O Little Town of Bethlehem
traditional, arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams,
words: Bishop Philip Brooks (1835 - 1893)
The words of this much loved Christmas carol were written in 1868 when Brooks was rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, inspired by having visited Bethlehem at Christmas in 1865 where he heard Christmas carols sung at the site where Jesus was said to have been born. He wrote this carol for his Sunday school children.
The traditional tune is actually adapted from a folksong called ‘the Ploughboy’s Dream’ which Vaughan Williams took down when he heard it in 1903. As a hymn tune it then became known as ‘Forest Green’.
1
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.
2
For Christ is born of Mary,
and, gathered all above
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King
and peace to all the earth.
3
How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.
4
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 Immanuel!
Performed on David Opera Model Concert Harp