O Little Town of Bethlehem (Tune: St Louis) — The All-American Boys Chorus

The All-American Boys Chorus perform the 'American setting' of the popular Christmas carol 'O Little Town of Bethlehem'. This setting of the carol takes its text from a poem by American Episcopal priest Philip Brooks and its tune from a melody written by his organist, Lewis Redner.

Redner's tune, often known as 'St Louis', is the most commonly heard musical setting of the carol in the United States and predates both Ralph Vaughan Williams' 'Forest Green' and H. Walford Davies' 'Wengen' or 'Christmas Carol' tunes as settings for Brooks' text. 'Forest Green' and 'Wengen/Christmas Carol' are more recognisable in the UK and are staples of choral carol services.

For an enjoyable comparison, I have made the other settings available here:

'Forest Green' by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge:
   • O Little Town of Bethlehem (Tune: For...  

'Wengen/Christmas Carol' by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge:
   • O Little Town of Bethlehem (Tune: Wen...  

[ Text: ]

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 to-night.



For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondrous love
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.

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.

The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.

[ Recording available on the disk 'The Best Gift of All' (AABC Records, 1992). ]