A newly-composed setting alternates and ultimately combines with the traditional tune for a fresh take on the classic Christmas carol. Arranged for choir and orchestra.
Choir and Orchestra | Grade 3 | 4:30
Performance materials available through:
For the 2024 Community Choir and Orchestra Christmas Cantata
NDSCS Cultural Center, Bremer Bank Theater, Wahpeton, ND
Kent Loken, Director; Karen Hendrickson, Artistic Director
About the piece
The premiere was on December 14th, 2024. The performance also included And the Word, in addition to others.
Text by Phillips Brooks
Music by Lewis H. Redner
Arranged by Paul Cravens
Lyrics
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.
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 all the earth.
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.
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!
Paul Cravens 