Log in to make the most of Hymnary.org collections.
O little town of BethlehemAuthor: Phillips Brooks (1868)Tune: ST. LOUIS (Redner) Published in 644 hymnals Printable scores: PDF, SibeliusAudio files: MIDI | ||
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 wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth!
3 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.
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!
Source: Baptist Hymnal 2008 #196
| First Line: | O little town of Bethlehem |
| Author: | Phillips Brooks (1868) |
| Meter: | 7.6.8.6 D |
| Language: | English |
| Copyright: | Public Domain |
The hymn focuses on the relative silence of the birth of Christ – Bethlehem was just a little town, and only a few people paid attention to the event. The heraldic chorus of angels is minimized in the lines
“While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love.”The final stanza is a prayer that Christ would come and transform our lives.
There are two tunes in common use with this text, and some hymnals include both. ST. LOUIS was commissioned by Brooks for the text in 1868 from the organist for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Lewis Redner. Redner delayed composing the tune until the night before it was to be sung for the first time, on December 27, 1868. He later wrote, “Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.” However, this tune and text pairing has lasted over one hundred forty years, and is one of the best-loved American Christmas hymns. Though the origin of the name of the tune is unclear, it was probably named after the composer by the publisher of The Church Porch of 1874, where this hymn was first published (with “Lewis” altered to “Louis”).
The other tune, FOREST GREEN is an English folk tune transcribed and arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1903. It first appeared in the English Hymnal in 1906 with this text. It was originally named “The Ploughboy’s Dream,” but Vaughan Williams named it after the village of Forest Green in Surrey, where he first heard it. This tune is more common in the UK.
This hymn is suitable for the Advent and Christmas seasons. It was originally written for children, but is used by Christians of all ages. The peaceful mood of the tune ST. LOUIS may be used to introduce or conclude a time of silent prayer. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is an arrangement for choir and piano accompaniment with varying choral textures. “Christmas Carol Fest III” contains a handbell arrangement that can be used as an instrumental piece or to accompany singing. “O Come to the Manger” combines this hymn set to FOREST GREEN with the German children's carol, “O Come, Little Children,” employing men's voices and a children's choir with piano and flute accompaniment. Either tune may be used in a festive arrangement, such as “Hymn Introductions and Descants for Trumpet and Organ – Set 3,” which contains a setting of FOREST GREEN.
Tiffany Shomsky Hymnary.org
| Text Title | First Line | Instances (35) | Refrain First Line | Authors | Composers | Meter | Scripture | Tune Title | Tune Key | Incipit | Languages | Publication Date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! | Christmas Favorites #2 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis Henry Redner | [O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!] | 2000 | |||||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem! | AGO Founders Hymnal #17 | ST. HILDA | 2009 | |||||||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Presbyterian Hymnal #43 | Phillips Brooks | Ralph Vaughan Williams | 8.6.8.6 D | Micah 5:2-3; Luke 2:4-14 | FOREST GREEN | F Major | English | 1990 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Presbyterian Hymnal #44 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis Henry Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Micah 6:2-3; Luke 2:4-14 | ST. LOUIS | F Major | English | 1990 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Voices United: The Hymn and Worship Book of The United Church of Canada #64 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis Henry Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | ST LOUIS | G Major or modal | English | 1996 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Christian Worship: a Lutheran hymnal #65 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-93 | Lewis H. Redner | ST. LOUIS | F Major or Modal | 1993 | ||||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Christian Worship: a Lutheran hymnal #66 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-93 | FOREST GREEN | F Major or Modal | 1993 | |||||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Baptist Hymnal 1991 #86 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | Irregular | Micah 5:2 | ST. LOUIS | F Major | 1991 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Lift Up Your Hearts: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs #88 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893 | Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908 | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Job 38:7; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Luke 2:1-20; Titus 2:12; Titus 2:14 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | 2013 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Celebrating Grace Hymnal #107 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | Irregular | ST. LOUIS | F Major | English | 2010 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Common Praise #120 | Phillips Brooks (1831-1893) | Lewis Henry Redner (1831-1908) | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Micah 5:2-5; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:1-20; Micah 5:2-5; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:1-20 | ST. LOUIS | 1998 | |||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Common Praise #121 | Phillips Brooks (1831-1893) | Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Micah 5:2-5; Micah 5:2-5 | FOREST GREEN | F Major or modal | 1998 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Hymns of Faith #128 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Matthew 2:1 | [O little town of Bethlehem] | F Major or modal | 1980 | |||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | The New Century Hymnal #133 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Luke 2:4-7; Micah 5:2 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | 1995 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #137 | P. Brooks, 1835-93 | L. H. Redner, 1831-1908 | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | ST. LOUIS | F Major | English | 1996 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #141 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | 1986 | |||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Chalice Hymnal #144 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | 1995 | |||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | The Worshiping Church #154 | Phillips Brooks | Ralph Vaughan Williams | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | John 1:12; John 8:12; Job 38:7; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5 | FOREST GREEN | F Major | English | 1990 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | The Worshiping Church #155 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | John 1:9; John 1:12; John 8:12; Job 38:7; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5 | ST. LOUIS | F Major | English | 1990 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Revival Hymns and Choruses #171 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893 | Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908 | ST. LOUIS | F Major | English | 1982 | |||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Revival Hymns and Choruses #172 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893 | FOREST GREEN | F Major | English | 1982 | ||||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Worship and Rejoice #180 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893 | Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908 | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Matthew 2:5; Matthew 1:23; John 8:12; Micah 5:2; John 3:16; Isaiah 7:14; John 1:9-12; Job 38:7 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | 2001 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Rejoice in the Lord #193 | Phillips Brooks | R. Vaughn Williams | 8.6.8.6 D irregular | Job 38:7 | FOREST GREEN | F Major | English | 1985 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Rejoice in the Lord #194 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6 D irregular | Job 38:7 | ST. LOUIS | F Major | English | 1985 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Baptist Hymnal 2008 #196 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | English | 2008 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Sing Joyfully #200 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | [O little town of Bethlehem] | F Major | English | 1989 | |||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Trinity Hymnal #201 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6 D irregular | Micah 5:2 | ST. LOUIS | F Major | English | 1990 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Trinity Hymnal #202 | Phillips Brooks | Walford Davies, 1869-1941 | 8.6.8.6 D irregular | Micah 5:2 | CHRISTMAS CAROL | F Major | English | 1990 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | African American Heritage Hymnal #204 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893 | Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908 | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Micah 5:2 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or Modal | 2001 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | The United Methodist Hymnal #230 | Phillips Brooks | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | ST. LOUIS | F Major | English | 1989 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! | Celebration Hymnal #250 | Lewis H. Redner | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | 1997 | ||||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Gather Comprehensive, Second Edition #359 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893 | Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908 | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | English | 2004 | ||||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Lutheran Service Book #361 | Phillips Brooks, 1835-93 | Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908 | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Ephesians 3:16-19; Luke 1:68-75; Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1-15 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | English | 2006 | |||||||
| O Little Town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Gather Comprehensive #363 | Philips Brooks, 1835-1893 | Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908 | 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 | Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-2 | ST. LOUIS | F Major or modal | English | 1994 | |||||||
| O little town of Bethlehem | O little town of Bethlehem | Complete Anglican Hymns Old & New #519 | 2000 |
