Andy Williams - O Little Town of Bethlehem Lyrics
Lyrics
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Video
Andy Williams - O Little Town of Bethlehem (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Andy Williams' rendition of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," released on November 16, 2024, offers a profound invitation to reflect on the quiet miracle that transformed a humble Judean village into the epicenter of divine hope. The song masterfully distills the essence of the Nativity, presenting a spiritual narrative that resonates with the timeless promise of salvation. Far from merely recounting a historical event, the lyrics paint a vivid tableau of anticipation and celestial significance, positioning Bethlehem as the singular point where humanity's deepest longings and anxieties converge. The imagery of "the everlasting light" shining in the "dark streets" directly echoes Isaiah's prophecy, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined" (Isaiah 9:2). This "light" is undeniably Christ, the "everlasting light" who came to dispel the shadows of sin and despair.
The song’s narrative pivots to the sacred event itself, depicting the birth of Jesus to Mary as a moment of hushed reverence. The "angels keep their watch of wondering love" as "mortals sleep," a beautiful testament to the celestial choir that announced Christ's arrival to the shepherds, as described in Luke 2:8-14, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them... And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy... for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." The proclamation of this "holy birth" by the "morning stars" invokes the cosmic joy that accompanied creation, as the book of Job notes, "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:7), suggesting that creation itself rejoiced at the advent of its Creator. The song culminates with the fervent plea for "praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth," a direct echo of the angelic chorus’s message, embodying the ultimate purpose of Christ’s coming: the reconciliation of God and humanity, and the ushering in of a new era of divine peace. Williams’ interpretation guides the listener through the profound theological weight of this sacred night, emphasizing that the simple, quiet birth in Bethlehem was, and remains, the pivotal moment for all of humankind.