Once in Royal David's City

Once In Royal David 's City (English: Once in Royal David's City ) is a Christmas song that was originally a poem written by Cecil Humphreys ( Cecil Frances Alexander). Two years after the poem was published, married Miss Humphreys William Alexander, who was consecrated in 1867 as Bishop in the Church of Ireland.

History

Origins

Once In Royal David 's City was first published in 1848 in Miss Cecil Humphreys originating from hymnbook Hymns for little Children. A year later discovered H. J. Gauntlett wrote the poem and a matching melody.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Since 1919, the Chapel of King's College (Cambridge) opened their worship on Christmas Eve, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, with "Once in Royal David 's City " as the opening song to accompany the procession. The first verse is sung by a member of the Choir of King 's Chapel as a solo. The second verse is sung by the choir, and from the third verse sings with the congregation. Apart from the first verse of the song is accompanied by the organ. Millions of listeners track on the radio with the live broadcast of the Christmas devotional.

The "City"

The city ( engl: city), is spoken of in the song is Bethlehem, of the New Testament says that it was the birthplace of Jesus Christ and of his ancestor King David.

Recordings

Recordings of this song exist in interpretations of King's College Choir, Sinfonia Australis Cantillation, Jane Sheldon, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and pop singer Sufjan Stevens on his compilation album Songs for Christmas.

The carol was the first recording of the King's College Choir all under the direction of Boris Ord for EMI in 1948.

Text

( 1) Or: "Jesus" is our childhood 's pattern

(2) Or: "When" like stars His children crown'd