O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” is a popular Christmas carol. The text was written by Phillips Brooks (1835–1893), an Episcopal priest, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia. He was inspired by visiting the village of Bethlehem in the Sanjak of Jerusalem in 1865. Three years later, he wrote the poem for his church; and his organist, Lewis Redner, added the music. Renditions by popular singers include that by Bob Dylan (2009 – Christmas in the Heart). (More from Wikipedia)
Bob Dylan has also released a Christmas album, Christmas in the Heart. Wikipedia mentions a 2009 interview with Bill Flanagan when he was promoting the album: “Flanagan commented on the ‘heroic performance’ Dylan gave of ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and that he ‘delivered the song like a true believer’. Dylan replied: ‘Well, I am a true believer.’”
(August 2014)
