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O Little Town of Bethlehem (Congregational Accompaniment)

About the Song

Words by Phillips Brooks; Music by Lewis H. Redner; Arranged by Sally DeFord

This easy selection is arranged for 4-hand piano and obbligato for two flutes. It’s designed to be played as the organ plays from Hymn #208 in the 1985 LDS Hymnbook.

This can be used as a Piano (4-hands)/Organ trio, or as a congregational accompaniment. For the three verses included in the hymnbook, you will want to vary the sound by using different combinations of players, e.g., the Primo could be played for verse 1, the Secondo added for verse 2, etc.

For the flute obbligatos, the 2nd flute is optional, as the 1st flute carries the melodic line of the obbligato throughout.

December 2013: Corrected the what-was-I-thinking measures that were causing hand collisions. **blushes**

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 wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

If you have questions, please check the FAQ
If you don't find your answer there, feel free to post your question here. 🙂

3 Comments

  1. Jane Haynie

    Sally, I’m not good with technology, but tried sending you a message that i, too, would be interested in a one-person , two-hand version of “Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem” like what Jasmine was asking about (see below – copy)
    Jasmine Atkinson on October 17, 2017 at 4:02 am
    Hi Sally, I like to play with two hands what you write for four hands with all the Christmas carols:) ….If you have free time can you do it? Xxx
    Thanks Love Jasmine

    Reply
  2. Linda Rothero

    Love this

    Reply
  3. Jasmine Atkinson

    Hi Sally, I like to play with two hands what you write for four hands with all the Christmas carols:) ….If you have free time can you do it? Xxx
    Thanks Love Jasmine

    Reply

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