O Little Town of Bethlehem
Text by Phillips Brooks (1868; 1835–1893). Tune ST. LOUIS by Lewis Redner (1868; 1831–1908). Public domain in all jurisdictions.
Verse 1
GO lit-tle town of AmBeth-le-B7hem how Emstill we see thee Glie
A-Gbove thy deep and Ddream-less sleep the Gsi-lent stars go by
Yet Gin thy dark streets Amshin-eth the B7ev-er-last-ing Emlight
The Ghopes and fears of Dall the years are Gmet in thee to-night
Verse 2
GFor Christ is born of AmMa-B7ry and Emga-thered all a-Gbove
While Gmor-tals sleep the Dan-gels keep their Gwatch of won-d'ring love
O Gmorn-ing stars to-Amgeth-B7er pro-Emclaim the ho-ly Gbirth
And Gprai-ses sing to DGod the King and Gpeace to men on earth
Verse 3
GHow si-lent-ly how Amsi-lent-B7ly the Emwon-drous gift is Ggiv'n
So GGod im-parts to Dhu-man hearts the Gbless-ings of His heav'n
No Gear may hear His Amcom-B7ing but Emin this world of Gsin
Where Gmeek souls will re-Dceive Him still the Gdear Christ en-ters in
Verse 4
GO ho-ly child of AmBeth-le-B7hem de-Emscend to us we Gpray
Cast Gout our sin and Den-ter in be Gborn in us to-day
We Ghear the Christ-mas Aman-B7gels the Emgreat glad ti-dings Gtell
O Gcome to us a-Dbide with us our GLord Em-man-u-el
Structure
Playing Tips
🎸 Strum Pattern
The B7 chord on lines 1 and 3 of each verse is the signature move of this hymn — it is a secondary dominant pulling toward Em and it gives the song its particular warmth. Most guitarists who struggle with this hymn are trying to smooth over the B7 instead of committing to it. Practice the G-Am-B7-Em progression slowly until it feels like one gesture rather than four separate chords. At 72 BPM in 4/4 there is plenty of time — use a gentle four-beat down strum or a light down-up pattern and let each chord ring fully before changing.
🔊 Dynamics
This is a hushed hymn about a still night in Bethlehem. It should never be loud. Verse 1 with piano alone or guitar alone. Verse 2 adds a second voice or light instrument. Verse 3 ("How silently how silently the wondrous gift is given") is the theological heart of the hymn — the quieter the band is here, the more that line lands. Verse 4 is a prayer ("O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray") and the band should pull almost to nothing, leaving the congregation alone with the text.
🎵 Band Direction
Piano and acoustic guitar together, gently. No drums. If a bass is used, long held tones on the root only — nothing that drives the rhythm. A flute carrying the melody over guitar and piano harmony is one of the most beautiful arrangements of this hymn and worth attempting if you have that player available. The text says "how silently how silently the wondrous gift is given" and the band should embody that silence. Less instrumentation on this hymn is almost always the better choice.
🎤 Vocal
Verse 3 contains the line "where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in" — this is the invitation hidden inside the narrative of the hymn. Lead your congregation there with intention and let it breathe. Verse 4 closes on "our Lord Emmanuel" which connects directly to O Come O Come Emmanuel. If you have used that hymn earlier in the service, this becomes a theological bookend — the longing of O Come Emmanuel finally answered in the prayer of verse 4. Let the congregation feel that resolution.
→ Transitions
Works in a Christmas set between Silent Night and a more reflective song. The final verse functions as an invitation hymn ("O come to us, abide with us") and pairs naturally with a quiet altar call or response moment at a Christmas service. Because verse 4 is structured as a prayer, it transitions smoothly into a time of prayer or Communion without any announcement. We often let the final verse fade into a moment of silence before the pastor speaks.