The Star of Bethlehem
“…Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me?”
From “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, Stave One.
About the Song
The words to this song were inspired by Dickens. Our family reads “A Christmas Carol” almost every year on Christmas Eve. We basically have it memorized, so we also tend to add lines from the various movies while we’re at it. Especially the Muppets.
The music. Oh the music. This one was composed during a time when I seemed to think that the harder a song was, the better. The scores that resulted were too high, too hard to play, and just technically bad in a lot of ways.
I’ve replaced those difficult scores with new, easier, lower, more technically-sound versions. (If you miss the old ones… sorry. Don’t ask me for them. I won’t put them back. :P) The solo now includes an optional obbligato as well. The SATB and Solo scores are different and not interchangeable, though the SATB can be sung as a solo.
Sheet Music Downloads
Spotify, Soundcloud (inc. free downloads)
Spotify:
The Star of Bethlehem (feat. James Loynes)
The Star of Bethlehem (Accompaniment Track)
The Star of Bethlehem (Piano Track)
Soundcloud:
Click the 
to download the free track for personal use.
Recording featuring vocals by James Loynes:
Accompaniment track:
Piano track:
Apple Music, Amazon
These files may be copied/shared in any quantity in any physical format unless otherwise noted. They may not be re-sold or offered for download.
Apple Music: The Star of Bethlehem (feat. James Loynes)
Apple Music: The Star of Bethlehem (Accompaniment Track)
Apple Music: The Star of Bethlehem (Piano Track)
Amazon: The Star of Bethlehem (feat. James Loynes)
Amazon: The Star of Bethlehem (Accompaniment Track)
Amazon: The Star of Bethlehem (Piano Track)
YouTube
(Video provided to YouTube by outside parties may contain ads that may be skipped after a few seconds.)
Lyrics
High above the weary world, amid the stars of heaven
To men of old a wondrous sign of peace and hope was given
A brighter star was kindled there, to reign among the skies
To mark the way to Bethlehem and everlasting light
And high above the weary world, for eyes to see that will
The star of Bethlehem will shine for those who seek Him still
High above the weary world it shone upon their road
And thus it led the wise men on, to seek a poor abode
And is there now no humble home to which its light may lead?
No quiet need? No tears of grief? No hungering soul to feed?
Look high above the weary world — for eyes to see that will,
The star of Bethlehem will shine for those who seek Him still
High above the weary world his star still shines for me
It bids me seek the Holy Child, adoring on bended knee
It beckons me through ages past, by countless years undimmed
It bids me serve His children now, thus to worship him
And high above the weary world, for eyes to see that will
The star of Bethlehem will shine for those who seek Him still.
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I adore this song. My congregation’s modest little choir sang it at our Christmas Eve services this last Sunday and it was beautiful. Not a dry eye in the house! Bless you for writing such a beautiful song.
I’d love to download James’ recording of this, but it must only be available on You Tube? Anyway, a beautiful Christmas song!
Sally is The Star of Bethlehem sung in SATB anywhere? I love the solo rendition, but hoped you had it also in SATB sung by a choir….
I also want to say that your music moves me, helps me feel the wonder of your words and songs. I am a choir director and we are singing The Star of Bethlehem this Christmas and we love it. I just wanted to help the choir learn the parts through a live performance.
Thank you so much for what you do, are doing. Your talent blesses SO many lives. Pam Johnson, Layton, Utah
Sally, you are an angel sent to us from above! Your music is beautiful and the fact that you’ve made it freely available to the world really speaks to your love for music. I’m a choir conductor and I find great joy in teaching and conducting your music. Our choir will be performing this piece as well as Peace, peace, peace for a Christmas Concert tomorrow evening. Funds raised for this concert will be going to a children’s home and I have no doubt that your music will touch the heart of the listeners. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with us! God bless*
Dear Sally,
I have been singing this song for the last 10 years in so many places as we have moved around the states. I love the haunting tune with the beautiful message of hope. When we moved to the Springs I walked into a women’s fireside and heard you playing the organ and then saw your name on the program. I was pretty surprised and then my friends were like ” oh yeah,that’s Sally”. I never found the chance to meet you but heard so many sweet words of praise from our mutual friends. This song means even more to me now that I feel like I know it’s inspired and beautiful composer/author. Thank you for the music.
Awwww, thanks Rebeccah! I wonder what meeting you actually heard me playing organ for? I am the world’s worst organist… they must have been desperate! 🙂
Can i have the accopaniment of this song ‘the star of bethlehem’ pls…? Thanks a lot
First of all you are AMAZING!! Second of all I am a brand new choir director and I can’t begin to tell you how much your site and beautiful music has helped me. Our choir will be singing Star of Bethlehem and I would love to share with them any thoughts, feelings, or opinions you have about the song. Especially anything to do with Marley’s ghost. You are ADORABLE!! Thanks in advance 🙂
First of all, you are too nice! Marley’s ghost… let’s see…
Well, Marley was dead, to begin with…This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. 😉 Every Christmas Eve our family reads Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” aloud together. (We’re exciting like that.) We take turns, and hand the book off when we find we can’t read effectively through the tears. Poor Marley’s ghost. In one memorable passage, he mourns the life he led, separate and unconcerned with his fellow men:
“Business!” cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”
He continues:
“At this time of the rolling year,” the spectre said, “I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!”
I don’t remember exactly when that phrase started singing to me. We’ve read it so many times, and, well, we pretty much have it memorized beginning to end. But at some point the lines, “And is there now no humble home to which its light may lead?” became the basis for the rest of the lyric.
Pls tell me where can i find the minus one of this song will sing thos song on our church thos coming christmas..