By starlight in Bethlehem

(STARLIGHT)

1 By starlight in Bethlehem
was born the infant Jesus -

nobody offered him a room anywhere.

Just a cattle-trough for the Prince so precious,

only Mary, Joseph and the beasts were there.

2 As tired as the shepherds were,

they ran with joy to find him,

worshipped the Lamb sent down to die in their place,

left their flocks a while in the fields behind them,

now they wanted most to spread their Saviour's praise.

3 And wise as the men were who
from eastern lands had hurried,

searching the reason for the bright star in heaven,

knowledge gained in years, and the gifts they carried,

these in true devotion to their Lord were given.

4 Come, Spirit, and may our hearts
be fit for you to live in,

let it be our delight to honour our King,

all we have from him show us how to give him,

Christ who first loved us and gave us everything

~~~

Tune: STARLIGHT
Metre: 14.11.11.11 Key: D

words © Emma Turl
music © John Turl

A setting of this tune in the higher key of F to other lyrics can be seen at:
One night over eastern lands - Jubilate

Sources:
Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11, Luke 2:8-20, Romans 8:15-16
Themes:
birth of Jesus, cattle-trough, Holy Spirit, Mary and Joseph, shepherds, star, wise men, worship

Keyboard Demo:

Lyric Video (vocal):

Here is another carol from the outburst of songs which followed John's acquisition of his synthesiser in around 1991. He composed the music a few years later, and this first lyric of mine for that music followed soon afterwards. It describes three scenes - the birth of Jesus, the arrival of the shepherds to worship him, and the adoration of the wise men. The second version (dating from 1918), which begins "One night over eastern lands a brilliant star was shining",

is in Jubilate: it features the journey of the wise men, and leads eventually to their acts of devotion when they see the infant King for themselves. The concluding thoughts in verse 4 are similar in both lyrics, for Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men all discovered and worshipped the child who was to become Saviour and light of the world, and we can respond with themand light of the world, and we can respond with them.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse