O Little Town Of Bethlehem

This arrangement of the traditional Christmas song O Little Town of Bethlehem was recorded by Frank Sinatra on December 28, 1947. This Christmas-themed recording, along with others that were recorded both before and after this date, were bundled together by Columbia Records and originally released in 1948 as a 78 rpm set titled Christmas Songs by Sinatra. Although Axel Stordahl conducted this recording session and is credited with this arrangement, the music was actually arranged by John P. Hicks and the choir by Ken Lane. There was a substantial cut to this arrangement that begins at the conclusion of measure 26. It is suspected that this cut was employed as the full arrangement clocks in at nearly four and a half minutes. We have presented the entire arrangement and encourage you to perform it as-written. The cut music mostly features the choir. Cut indications are included so that the Sinatra recording may be replicated. This publication has been based on John P. Hick's pencil score and the original set of parts used during the recording session - this is not a transcription.