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64. 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 wondering love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to all on earth.

3 How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessed gift of 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 Emmanuel.

Text Information
First Line: O little town of Bethlehem
Title: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Author: Phillips Brooks (1868)
Meter: 8 6 8 6 7 6 8 6
Language: English
Publication Date: 1996
Topic: The Christian Year: Christmas; Angels; Biblical Characters: Mary, Mother of Jesus (18 more...)
Notes: Alt tune: FOREST GREEN
Tune Information
Name: ST LOUIS
Composer: Lewis Henry Redner (1868)
Meter: 8 6 8 6 7 6 8 6
Key: G Major



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

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