hymns - Christmas, uncommon, a guide to the series

06 January 2014

In Christmastide 2013/14 this blog undertook an analysis of all the Christmas hymns in the Episcopal The Hymnal 1982, focusing especially on those hymns that are the least commonly sung and the reasons for their popularity or lack thereof.

Note that this series discussed hymns in declining order of popularity using a scale of 1 to 11 with 11 being unbelievably popular, 10 being the most popular, and 1 being the least popular.

Part 1: Background, Methodology, Turning it up to 11: Incredibly popular Christmas hymns

Part 2: Level 10: The well-designed super-classics; Level 9: The sugary classics; Level 8: Other classics, but with tune issues

Part 3: Tier 7: Deeper cuts; Tier 6: A certain earthiness

Part 4: Code 5: Middle ground; Code 4: An oddball

Part 5: Region 3: Uncommon tunes for hymns already discussed; Region 2: The truly uncommon

Part 6: Area 1: The most uncommon; Conclusions

An index to the hymns by first line

Links to the Part of the series in which the hymn is discussed.

First line	Part	Score
A child is born in Bethlehem	Part 6	1
A stable lamp is lighted	Part 4	5
Angels from the realms of glory	Part 2	8
Angels we have heard on high	Part 2	10
Away in a manger	Part 3	7
Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light	Part 4	4
Christians awake, salute the happy morn	Part 5	2
Dost thou in a manger lie	Part 6	1
Duérmete, Niño lindo	Part 6	1
From east to west, from shore to shore	Part 6	1
From heaven above to earth I come	Part 4	5
Go tell it on the mountain	Part 3	7
God rest you merry, gentlemen	Part 2	9
Good Christian friends, rejoice	Part 2	9
Hark! the herald angels sing	Part 1	11
In the bleak midwinter	Part 3	6
It came upon the midnight clear (CAROL)	Part 2	9
It came upon the midnight clear (NOEL)	Part 5	3
Joy to the world! the Lord is come	Part 2	10
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming	Part 2	8
Love came down at Christmas	Part 4	5
Now yield we thanks and praise	Part 6	1
O come, all ye faithful	Part 1	11
O little town of Bethlehem (ST. LOUIS)	Part 2	9
O little town of Bethlehem (FOREST GREEN)	Part 2	8
O savior of our fallen race (GONFALON ROYAL)	Part 3	6
O savior of our fallen race (CHRISTE, REDEMPTOR OMNIUM)	Part 5	3
Of the Father's love begotten	Part 3	7
On this day earth shall ring	Part 3	6
Once in royal David's city	Part 2	9
Silent night, holy night	Part 1	11
Sing, O sing, this blessed morn	Part 5	2
The first Nowell the angel did say	Part 2	10
The snow lay on the ground	Part 3	6
Twas in the moon of wintertime	Part 3	6
Unto us a boy is born	Part 3	7
What child is this, who, laid to rest	Part 2	10
While shepherds watched their flocks by night (WINCHESTER OLD)	Part 2	8
While shepherds watched their flocks by night (HAMPTON)	Part 5	2

Labels: Christmas, Hymnal 1982, less familiar hymns

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