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RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS - O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
RFMS ARCHIVES - VARIOUS




Music used: 100 Carols for Choirs

O Little Town of Bethlehem

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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 the dark streets shineth_
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years_
Are met in thee tonight.

O morning stars together_
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth;
For Christ is born of Mary;
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep_
Their watch of wond’ring love.

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.