This carol can be traced all the way back to 16th-century England. Read more: The lyrics and true story behind ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ > The music for the hymn was composed in such a way that both the English and Latin words can be used interchangeably. Sung at both Advent and Christmas, this hymn originates from Latin but was translated to English in 1861. The hymn also features in the 1992 film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, when it is played by a symphony orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Possible candidates include King John IV of Portugal and John Francis Wade, while composers Handel and Gluck have been suggested as the brains behind the melody.

Keith and I are overwhelmed with the response this song has had, and we are just grateful to God that He should use it to build up His church in this way.It is unclear who first wrote the music or lyrics to this hymn. I wanted to write a fourth verse that was about us – but not just as an emotional response, but as a undeniable statement of the power of Christ to sustain us in this life. The verses came in a fairly linear way, but as the third verse developed, I was getting pretty excited as I thought about the amazing implications of Christ’s finished work on the cross.

The only thing I could think was to base it on the eternal theme of the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And I began to feel the pressure to write lyrics that were of a comparable standard! And the first melody on it really hit me – it was tuneful and memorable, and yet had gravitas and real emotion. Keith promised he would send me a CD with a bunch of melodies he’d been working on, and to be honest I thought no more about it. We had been introduced by a mutual friend at a worship conference, where we had a coffee together and talked about our backgrounds, musical influences, and motivations to write. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, Christ alone was actually the first song Keith Getty and I wrote together. Stuart Townend & Keith Getty Copyright © 2001 Thankyou Music (Adm.

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!īought with the precious blood of Christ. What heights of love, what depths of peace, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

In christ alone piano