I didn’t know there was another melody that goes with the lyrics of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, so I got quite a surprise when I heard this–by Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band. Lovely melody! Given its finished form by Arthur Sullivan, of Gilbert & Sullivan fame. The melody we’re used to in America is about 30 years older, published in 1850.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
I like it this way, too.
Maybe this carol was originally just a poem, kind of like the verses to the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and then a melody was added. Some of the songs in our hymnal are like that – same verses, different tune. This was a nice version – I enjoyed it immensely.