Bob Dylan - O' Little Town of Bethlehem Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who originally wrote the lyrics to 'O' Little Town of Bethlehem'?

   The original lyrics to 'O' Little Town of Bethlehem' were written by Phillips Brooks in 1868.

2. What inspired Phillips Brooks to write 'O' Little Town of Bethlehem'?

   Phillips Brooks was inspired to write 'O' Little Town of Bethlehem' after visiting Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1865, where he attended a service at the Church of the Nativity.

3. Which melody is used for Bob Dylan's version of 'O' Little Town of Bethlehem'?

   Bob Dylan's version uses the traditional melody composed by Lewis Redner, which is commonly known as 'St. Louis'.

4. When was Bob Dylan's rendition of 'O' Little Town of Bethlehem' released?

   Bob Dylan's rendition was released as part of his Christmas album titled 'Christmas in the Heart,' which came out in October 2009.

5. Are there different melodies for 'O' Little Town of Bethlehem'? If so, what are they?

   'O' Little Town of Bethlehem' has different melodies. In North America, it is often sung to Lewis Redner's tune 'St. Louis.' In the UK and other Commonwealth countries, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ arrangement called ‘Forest Green’ is popular.

6. What themes are explored in the song 'O’ Little Town of Bethlehem’?

   'O’ Little Town of Bethlehem’ explores themes such as peace, hope, and divine intervention. It reflects on the quiet and humble surroundings where Jesus Christ was born and emphasizes the spiritual significance over physical grandeur.