What is the most haunting Christmas carol you have ever heard? There are countless Christmas songs and carols being trumpeted over the airwaves this season, but none capture the poignancy of Christ’s birth as well as the old folk song, I Wonder As I Wander.
So where exactly did this song come from? That story is even more intriguing than the song itself! Here is how Ace Collins, author of Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, tells the story of the way John Jacob Niles, a historian and song-writer who spent most of his life traveling across the Appalachian Mountains in search of new folk music, discovered this Christmas favorite:
“On a cold December day in North Carolina, Niles observed people from a poor community going about their daily lives. From his own experience, Niles knew that just a few hundred miles away in New York, people crowded the gaily decorated city streets, stores could not hold all the eager shoppers armed with lists, and holiday music blared from long rows of loudspeakers. Yet in this village he could hear the sound of snow crunching under feet and spy children in ragged clothes looking longingly into windows where a few small toys were displayed. It was as if the modern world had never found this unspoiled place.
While Niles took in the pastoral scene that surrounded him, a solitary voice beckoned ever so faintly. Searching the street, his eyes honed in on a small girl sitting by herself on a bench. Unaware she had an audience, the child was softly singing a song Niles had never heard.
When she finished, the curious songwriter reached into his pocket and pulled out a pencil and tablet. Approaching the little girl, he introduced himself, sat down and then asked about the song. Al she knew about it was that her mother had taught it to her, like her grandma had taught it to her mother before her.
The song, which the girl called I Wonder As I Wander, haunted Niles. Long after the child disappeared into the evening, the man continued to study the words. They were unlike any he had ever uncovered in his long search for folk music. Deeply spiritual, incredibly thoughtful, yet obviously composed by someone of little means and education, the lyrics embraced the joy and wonder of Christmas but also lingered on the sacrifice of a child grown into a man that died on a cross. Both the words and music were perfect, simple, direct, and inspired. Even a master songwriter like Niles couldn’t imagine improving on them. “Where did it come from?” he wondered as he returned home.”
While there are many versions of this carol out there, one of my favorites is a performance given by Vanessa Williams. It’s impossible to listen to this gorgeous, haunting melody without standing in wonder and awe at the beautiful mystery that is Christmas!
Great choice. That is such a moving melody.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! I love hymns and praise songs that are in a minor key, and there aren’t many of these!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on talkkindnesstome and commented:
I’m often intrigued by stories of how songs came to be written. I’m reblogging this from The Artistic Christian. This is the song he refers to in his post. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RbX6jW5YSk
LikeLiked by 1 person
This song has always been one of my favorites to sing at Christmas. What a neat story- thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure! I’ve always loved the song, and had a good time learning more about its mysterious origins…now we have one more thing to wonder about!
LikeLike
So beautiful a song for such a beautiful story of love! So blessed that he did come and die for us! God bless and thanks for the post 🙂
LikeLike
Absolutely – and I agree, the song does a beautiful job of capturing the beauty and the simplicity of the greatest love story ever told. Glad you stopped by!
LikeLike
Beautiful! First time I heard this, thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Then I’m glad I shared…it’s a wonderful carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on love to read, love to write! and commented:
Never heard this before – so beautiful!
LikeLike
Lovely meditation! So pleased you came by my blog and introduced yourself; I can already see I’ll enjoy many, many visits here to come. Have a joyful, blessed, peaceful Christmas!
Kathryn
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you stopped by, Kathryn! Someone had reblogged one of your posts this morning, and I was glad to happen across your wonderful blog. It’s always a joy to discover other great writers out there… have a great day!
LikeLike
Beautiful lyrics. I am a minister of a church and I am going to take as my Christmas sermon theme the words ‘I wonder as I wonder’. I will pay tribute to the lyrics and the thoughts behind it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to hear it! I also serve as a part-time pastor, and am glad this could contribute to one of your messages… God bless!
LikeLike