Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
Bing Lyrics
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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 wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
Oh 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.
The song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is a Christmas carol that was written by Phillips Brooks, an Episcopal priest and bishop, in 1867. The song speaks of the town of Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born. The first verse begins with the observation of how still and silent the town is as they witness the stars twinkling above it. In the midst of the silence, the light of God shines bright on the streets, providing hope and comfort to all of God's people who come to this holy town. These words signify the peacefulness and serenity that often encompasses Christmas time, coupled with the reverent atmosphere of the birth of Jesus.
The second verse continues to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, how the angels came to witness the momentous event as the world was sleeping in unawareness. They praised the birth of the holy child and rejoiced at the arrival of the Messiah who would bring peace to the world. The chorus repeats the words of the first verse, emphasizing the everlasting nature of the light of God and how it dispels the fears and hopes of all the people who journey to Bethlehem.
Overall, the song is a beautiful melody that captures the spirit of Christmas and the wonder of Christ's birth while expressing the desire for peace on earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
The town of Bethlehem is very peaceful and the inhabitants seem to be in a deep sleep
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
The silent stars move across the sky, above the peaceful and deep sleep of Bethlehem
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
Despite the darkness of the streets in Bethlehem, there is a bright and lasting light shining
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight
All the hopes and worries of past years have culminated in this moment in Bethlehem
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
Mary has given birth to Christ, whom all the angels have gathered around in celebration
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
The angels are watching over the celebration of Christ's birth with a sense of awe and love for all humanity
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
The morning stars have come together to proclaim the birth of Christ, which is a holy event
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
The angels are singing praises to God, who is the king, and wishing peace upon all people on earth
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
The town of Bethlehem is still peaceful and quiet, as if nothing extraordinary has happened
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
The stars continue to move across the sky, above the peaceful and seemingly undisturbed Bethlehem
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
Despite the darkness of the streets in Bethlehem, the bright and lasting light continues to shine
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Again, the hopes and worries of past years have culminated in this moment in Bethlehem, and this is a monumental occasion
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lewis H Redner, Phillip Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind