Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping

Subject: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: GUEST,Kay
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 06:02 AM

I have been trying to trace the lyrics of this song for the past two years. None of my classmates seem to remember it. I would be glad if someone can provide the lyrics to this and include some background to it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: masato sakurai
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 07:03 AM

Seems to be a Polish carol "Bethl'em Lay a-Sleeping". Click here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: GUEST,Catherine
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 06:29 PM

Bethlehem lay asleeping, long so long ago,
twinkling stars were peeping,long so long ago
when to earth a baby came, the little Jesus was his name,
so long long ago.

Angels sweetly singing, long so long ago,
Sent his praising ringing, long so long ago,
shepherds oh so gently peep to see the little babe asleep,
so long long ago

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 09:37 PM

A bit different.

Bethlehem Lay Sleeping
(Polish carol)

Bethlehem lay sleeping, long, so long ago
Twinkling stars were peeping, long, so long ago.
When to earth a baby came and little Jesus was his name.
Long, so long ago.

Kings came to adore him, long, so long ago.
They bowed down before him, long, so long ago.
Angels sweetly singing, long, so long ago.
Sent the bells a-ringing, long, so long ago.

Cantus Choir, Westminster, Third Sunday of Advent.

Could not find more. Does anyone know the Polish name?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: Artful Codger
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 01:28 AM

If it helps any, "Bethlehem" in Polish is "Betlejem", "was sleeping" would be "spał", and "carol" is "kolęda". If you do YouTube searches with these words in combinations, you may hit upon a clip of the carol you want.

The carol "Dzisiaj w Betlejem" (Today in Bethlehem) seems quite popular--in fact I'm sure the tune is used for a Belarusian carol, probably a variant of the same carol.

On the other hand, one description of "Bethlehem lay sleeping" that I found says "Polish carol melody", which may mean that there is no direct relationship between the English and Polish words, in which case searching simply for "kolęda" or "kolędy" (plural) may be most fruitful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: Artful Codger
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 02:45 AM

From the repeated phrase in the English lyrics, "long ago", I searched using a Polish equivalent "dawno temu" and found this possibilty, titled (oddly enough) "Dawno temu," though another title is simply "Betlejem":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8HlsSC3lG8

Betlejem

Dawno temu, przed wiekami,
W małej wiosce Betlejem.
Cud się zdarzył nad cudami.
Zszedł na ziemię mały Bóg.

        Refrain
Wszyscy się cieszyli
Aniołkowie, Pastuszkowie.
Dziecię utulili śpiewem swym do snu. (2 x)

Trzej królowie przyjechali,
By Dzieciątku oddać hołd.
Piękne dary też mu dali,
Otoczyli żłobek w krąg.

        Refrain
Wszyscy się cieszyli....


Another possibility is this song, "Long ago in Bethlehem":

Dawno temu w Betlejem

Dawno temu w Betlejem.
W noc gwiaździstą, jak ta.
Przyszedł na świat syn Boży,
co miał zbawić nasz świat.

Jezu w żłóbku ubogim,
czy widziałeś choć raz,
jaką radość sprawiłeś,
swą osobą wśród nas.

Jesteś naszą mądroścą,
gdy mądrości nam brak.
Promieniujesz radością,
dobrym czynisz ten świat.

Jezu ...


However, neither has the repetition of "long ago" as is found in the English verses you quoted.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: Artful Codger
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 02:49 AM

Also check for "pastorałka/i".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 05:02 AM

These are the lyrics I have. I'm not sure they are correct.

Bethlehem lay asleeping.
Long, so long ago.
Twinkling stars were peeping.
Long, so long ago.
When to earth a baby came.
The little Jesus was his name.
So long, long ago.

Kings came to adore him.
Long, so long ago.
Knelt down low before him.
Long, so long ago.
Wandering shepherds left their sheep
To see the little Lord asleep.
So long, long ago.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: GUEST,Kay
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 07:14 AM

Thanks to you all for the leads.

The last contributor has the words I also recall. If there is a third or more stanzas,they would be welcome.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bethlehem lay asleeping
From: GUEST,#
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 08:19 AM

Bethlehem lay asleeping.
Long, so long ago.
Twinkling stars were peeping.
Long, so long ago.
When to earth a baby came.
The little Jesus was his name.
So long, long ago.

Kings came to adore him.
Long, so long ago.
Knelt down low before him.
Long, so long ago.
Wandering shepherds left their sheep
To see the little Lord asleep.
So long, long ago.

Angels softly singing
Long, so long ago.
Sent His praises ringing
Long, so long ago.
Children too their love may bring
To Him who came to be our king.
So long, long ago.