It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Text by Edmund Hamilton Sears

Parts

Transpose

100%

About this hymn

Date: 1849
Tune: Carol
Composer: Richard Storrs Willis
Key: Bb
Meter: 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 6

Historical background

This edition is preserved in the Open Hymnal Project at source revision d35811b2d5c9. Contributor and publication details below are reproduced from the score metadata rather than inferred.

Theology & Scripture

The source index associates this text with Angels, Calmness, Christmas/Advent, Comfort, God, As King, God's Children - the Faithful (see also Saints, People of the World).

Lk 2:8-14 · Is 9:1-6 · Gen 11:9

Musical background

Carol is presented in the source key of Bb, with four documented parts.

Sources & rights

Verified for United States on 2026-10-13. Public domain — source score marking

Words: Edmund H. Sears, 1849. Music: 'Carol' Richard S. Willis, 1861. Setting: "Order of worship for the Reformed Church in the United States", 1866. copyright: public domain. This score is a part of the Open Hymnal Project, 2005 Revision.