O Sing a Song of Bethlehem

This song is often presented as a Christmas hymn, although it tells the story of Jesus' entire life:  birth in Bethlehem, life and ministry in Nazareth and Galilee, and death at Calvary.

The words were written by American lawyer and Presbyterian minister Louis Fitzgerald Benson (1855-1930) and first published in 1899. 

With meter 8.6.8.6 D, tunes it is set to include:
  • KINGSFOLD - a traditional English / Irish folk tune - this is the most-commonly used tune
  • BETHLEHEM by Gottfried W. Fink (1842).


Downloads

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Examples

Choir with orchestra, professional recording:

Singer with harp + chamber orchestra:


Band with bass and keyboard - fast-paced rendition


Congregation and choir with organ:


Small group with piano- professional recording:


Instrumental - Celtic band:


Lyrics

O sing a song of Bethlehem,
Of shepherds watching there,
And of the news that came to them
From angels in the air:
The light that shone on Bethlehem
Fills all the world today;
Of Jesus' birth and peace on earth
The angels sing alway.

O sing a song of Nazareth,
Of sunny days of joy;
O sing of fragrant flowers' breath,
And of the sinless boy:
For now the flowers of Nazareth
In every heart may grow;
Now spreads the fame of his dear Name
On all the winds that blow.

O sing a song of Galilee,
Of lake and woods and hill,
Of him who walked upon the sea
And bade the waves be still:
For though like waves on Galilee,
Dark seas of trouble roll,
When faith has heard the Master's word,
Falls peace upon the soul.

O sing a song of Calvary,
Its glory and dismay,
Of him who hung upon the tree,
And took our sins away.
For he who died on Calvary
Is risen from the grave,
And Christ, our Lord, by heaven adored,
Is mighty now to save.

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