Hymns to the Living God ‎#114

114. O Little Town of Bethlehem

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 men on 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.

Text Information

• First Line: O little town of Bethlehem
• Title: O Little Town of Bethlehem
• Author: Philipps Brooks (1868)
• Meter: CMD
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2017
• Topic: Jesus Christ: Incarnation

Tune Information

• Name: FOREST GREEN
• Harmonizer: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1906)
• Meter: CMD
• Key: F Major
• Source: English folk tune