This origin of this hymn is from the Roman Catholic Jesuits in Germany and originally had 6 verses. It first appeared in 1677 in a Jesuit hymnbook titled Munster Gesangbuch, where it was published as "the first of three beautiful selected new hymns." but the text is probably actually at least 15 years older. The actual origin of the words still remain a mystery.
One of the best-known accounts is that is was called the 'Crusaders Hymn' . Some think that this hymn was sung by the 12th century German Crusaders, especially by their children, as they made their long trek to the Holy Land. Another account that has more credence, is that it was one of the hymns used by singing followers of John Hus,beginning about 1400 by a small band of believers who settled in Silesia (now part of Poland) after they were driven out during the bloody anti-Reformation purge of 1620. The Hussites were expelled from Bohemia and once they moved to Silesia, they became weavers and cobblers, maintaining their faith in secret. They had a strong tradition of hymn singing and this hymn is generally said to be a folk song derived from those devout Silesian peasants.
Later it is said that a man named Hoffman Fallersleben heard a group of Silesians singing the hymn in a service, recorded the words and music from the oral recitation, and published it in his Schlesische Volkslieder in 1842. An english translation appeared in 1850 with the subtitle, " sung by the German knights on the to Jerusalem." This explanation did much to popularize this Crusader account.
Richard Willis, the composer, also wrote "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." Please enjoy the famed St. Olaf's Choir sing their signature piece--without accompaniment. This is a live recording and was on the occasion of graduation; students were joined by alumni.
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