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#19 HOW FAR TO BETHLEHEM?

by Peter Kearney

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Scroll down to see FULL LYRICS & CD / MUSIC Information.

'How Far to Bethlehem' has words by Frances Chesterton and a melody based on a 16th-18th century English tune. I learned this song from the Oxford Book of Carols.

Frances wrote her poem in 1917. It was printed that year on the Chestertons’ Christmas card to family and friends. Her husband was the English writer G. K. Chesterton.

This simple song, also also known as 'The Children's Song of the Nativity', is the opening track of my Christmas CD. Scroll down to see information on the CD and PDF music for the song.
*******

lyrics

HOW FAR TO BETHLEHEM?
How far is it to Bethlehem?
Not very far.
Shall we find the stable-room
Lit by a star?
Can we see the little child?
Is he within?
If we lift the wooden latch
May we go in?

May we stroke the creatures there
Ox, ass or sheep?
May we peep like them and see
Jesus asleep?
If we touch his tiny hand
Will he awake?
Will he know we've come so far
Just for his sake?

Great kings have their precious gifts
But we have naught.
Our little smiles and small tears
Are all we have brought.
For all troubled children
Mary must weep.
You can lie on this bed of straw -
Sleep children sleep.

How far is it to Bethlehem?
Not very far.
Shall we find the stable-room
Lit by a star?
Can we see the little child?
Is he within?
If we lift the wooden latch
May we go in?

Tune: English Traditional
Words: Frances Chesterton

credits

released December 13, 2019
*****

RELATED RESOURCES
Available through Peter Kearney's Online Store:

1. PDF MUSIC for this song. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/566470
2. CD-AUDIO: The 'How Far to Bethlehem?' CD is available here. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356143

COPYRIGHT:
The words and melody are in Public Domain.
Recording © 1999 Peter Kearney. All rights reserved.
Church and school licences through 'ONE LICENSE'.
E: info@onelicense.net
The song is also registered with CAL, APRA and AMCOS.

THE RECORDING
ARRANGED & PRODUCED by Peter Kearney.
Recorded: May-September 1999 at The Little Portion Studio, Welby.
VOICE & GUITAR: Peter Kearney.

DEDICATION: In 1999, I dedicated the album 'How Far to Bethlehem?'
to Claire Parkhill, to celebrate our many years of singing together.

COVER ARTWORK by DOROTHY WOODWARD: Visit Dorothy's webpage: peterkearneysongs.com.au/dorothy-woodward-art

***TO HEAR / SEE ALL PETER'S SONG-POSTS:
peterkearney.bandcamp.com

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Peter Kearney Mittagong, Australia

Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.

LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page. ... more

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