Once In Royal David's City

Album: Christmas Greetings From Mantovani And His Orchestra (1848)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Irish children's poet Cecil Frances Alexander wrote this. Cecil knew that children loved poetry and could memorize scripture quickly. Many of her poems were written to help make the Bible more understandable to them. In 1848 she published a volume of these hymns for children that has probably never been equaled. Amongst the hymns she wrote are "There Is A Green Hill Far Away" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful." Two years after her volume of children's hymns she married William Alexander, a parish minister who later became a Bishop and then Archbishop of Ireland. In the early days of their marriage, they served a church in an impoverished rural area. Later she gave the profits from her hymnbook to support handicapped children in the north of Ireland. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.