MUSIC. The melody is found in a book, Children’s Voices, published by the Augsburg Press (Lutheran). No information is at hand regarding the composer, C. Belle. The arrangement was made by E. Shippen Barnes for the Hymnary.
For comments on Barnes see [Hymn 48].
412. Once in royal David’s city
Cecil Frances Alexander, 1823-95
One of a series of children’s songs written by Mrs. Alexander to illustrate the Apostles’ Creed, this being a comment on the second clause, “And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.” Others in the series are “There is a green hill far away” ([No. 104]) and “All things bright and beautiful” ([No. 410]).
MUSIC. IRBY was written for this hymn to be sung by voices in unison, with harmonized accompaniment. It has become one of the best-known hymn tunes for children, and is always associated with these words.
Henry John Gauntlett, 1805-76, the composer, was an English musician who gave up law in 1844 to devote himself to music. He became a noted organist and prolific composer, his tunes running into thousands. He was much in demand for editing the music of hymn books and made a notable contribution to the promotion of hymnody of the church. Mendelssohn said of him: “His literary attainments, his knowledge of the history of music, his acquaintance with acoustical laws, his marvelous memory, his philosophical turn of mind, as well as his practical experience, rendered him one of the most remarkable professors of the age.”
413. Come hither, ye children
Christian Schmidt, 1768-1854
A popular Christmas song which all children love to sing.