Comments on: Advent 2009: “When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem,” Ebenezer Beesley

By: Researcher

Researcher — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:48:20 +0000

And another note on this piece. Ebeneezer Beesley also composed the tune to the sacrament hymn “Reverently and Meekly Now” (185) which uses some similar techniques, including the phrase sung in the women’s parts, joined by the men at the end (“I have ransomed even thee”) which might be why it sounded familiar to someone like my husband, who has a better ear for music than I do.

By: Researcher

Researcher — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:15:08 +0000

Thanks for noting that the tempo was so quick, Mark B. I started off playing it much slower, but it does sound better at 120. My husband thought it sounded a bit familiar, like Coffinberry mentioned, but it didn't ring any bells (ouch... bad pun) for me. I would agree with the choice to leave it out of the current hymnbook. Not worth an entire page. The title reminded me of the lovely old piece, Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem. I think I'll stick with the various medieval arrangements of that text. What a fascinating project, Ardis! Thanks!

By: Steve C.

Steve C. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:03:42 +0000

Thanks. I’ll have to look it up in the 1948 hymnal.

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:14:10 +0000

Er, Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909).

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:12:31 +0000

FWIW = a lot. Thanks!

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:07:05 +0000

FWIW, I learned today that Beesley won $25 for his arrangement as part of a Deseret News Christmas contest. It was published in the Deseret Evening News on December 15, 1900, and performed by the Tabernacle Choir on December 23, 1900. It appeared in Deseret Sunday School Songs (1900).

By: Coffinberry

Coffinberry — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:03:40 +0000

(Can’t see it… no pix here) but the text did sound familiar, with a melody line going in my head with it. Glad to know there’s a reason. Thanks Mark B.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:11:15 +0000

This was hymn 295 in the 1948 hymnbook. Other than a slight reduction in the suggested speed (from 120 to 108 beats per minute) and the dropping of the piano and forte markings on the bottom two systems, it's identical. Oh, and it's specifically designated for choir in the 1948 book. It does appear that the world is generally slowing down, at least when it comes to Mormon music.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:40:22 +0000

*There’s* a personal connection I never would have dreamed of, S.!

I think it must have been published in earlier hymnbooks during his lifetime, Steve C; I haven’t tried to locate earlier publications, though. (Googling brings up 3,000 hits — it was new to me, but evidently not to many others.)

By: Steve C.

Steve C. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:36:10 +0000

This looks like fun. Do you know if it has been published anywhere else? The Steve C family singers might have to perform it at the Christmas party talent show this year.