Somehow, despite this being in our Christmas liturgy every year, I don’t appear to have blogged this song.
The text is by Phillips Brooks and OCP set it to the tune we use as well, ST LOUIS by Lewis H Redner. It is also sometimes set to FOREST GREEN. OCP sell the sheet music here. Their guitar version keeps things admirably simple.
[Verse 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 the dark street shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight[Verse 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[Verse 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[Verse 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
Oh, come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Immanuel!