When you look at printed music, the lyrics (words) are attributed to the author and the music (tune) is attributed to the composer. Sometimes both are written by the same person, but not always. When you look at the printed music for O Little Town of Bethlehem you see the tune is called "St. Louis." Here's the story.
In 1865, the famed Boston pastor, Phillips Brooks, visited the Holy Land and stopped at Bethlehem. He was so moved that he wrote the lyrics to this wonderful carol for the children in his Sunday School. He handed the words to his organist, Lewis Redner, and asked him to compose a melody. "If it's a good tune, I'll name it 'St. Lewis' after you." The completed song was an instant hit, and Brooks did name the tune for the organist, changing the spelling to "St. Louis" to avoid embarrassing him. Here are a couple of my favorite verses.
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.
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.
1 comment:
"Oh Little Town" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" are two of my very favorite Christmas Carols. Thanks for sharing this interesting story
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