1finch2finch's video: O Little Town of Bethlehem Tune: Wengen Christmas Carol Choir of King s College Cambridge

The Chapel Choir of King's College, Cambridge, under the direction of Stephen Cleobury, perform the 'Wengen/Christmas Carol' 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 by Sir Henry Walford Davies. Davies' tune, often known as 'Wengen' or 'Christmas Carol', calls for treble voices on the first and second verses and is, therefore, most commonly performed by choirs with capable treble or soprano sections. It is recognisable primarily in the UK and often features prominently in King's College's annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. When the carol is to be sung congregationally, however, even in Britain, Ralph Vaughan Williams' 'Forest Green' is the setting more commonly used. Meanwhile, the text's original tune, St Louis', is a more recognisable setting of 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' in the United States. For an enjoyable comparison, I have made the other settings available here: 'St Louis' by the All-American Boys Chorus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y733wHRI7CM 'Forest Green' by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTPyKwqUUgc [ Text: ] Unto you is born this day in the city of David A saviour which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes And lying in a manger. 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. 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.

 O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; Oh, come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! [ Recording available on the disk 'O Come All Ye Faithful' (Decca, 1984). ]