O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

Music: Lewis H. Redner
Text: Phillips Brooks
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

The lyrics for “O Little Town of Bethlehem” were written by the Episcopalian rector Phillips Brooks (1835–1893) from Philadelphia, who spent Christmas Eve of 1865 in Bethlehem. Moved by the memories of that experience, Brooks penned a poem and gave it to his church organist, Lewis Redner, to set to music. Redner wrote the music on Christmas night 1868. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was first performed during the Sunday School service the following day, December 26, 1868, but neither Brooks nor Redner thought the song would live beyond that single Christmas service. This gentle carol was, however, soon printed and reprinted and became a beloved Christmas song around the world. Though sometimes sung to alternate melodies, Redner’s tune is the most popular version in the United States.