A JOLLY CHRISTMAS FROM FRANK SINATRA — Track #9: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

“Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light…”

Frank’s birthday was December 12th. There are 12 tracks on A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra — his first Christmas album, released by Capitol Records in 1957. We’ll bring them your way in order, between now and December 24.

Despite being written by an Episcopal priest from Philadelphia, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is not a song about a gritty steel town in Pennsylvania.

Pastor Philip Brooks was inspired by a visit to the village of Bethlehem in Jerusalem in 1865. In 1868, he penned the lyrics to this song and his organist at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Lewis Redner, added the music.

From “O Little Town of Hoboken,” here’s Frank Sinatra, adding his touches to this mellifluous Yuletide classic…