Does that title sound familiar? It’s an old Christmas carol—my maternal grandmother’s favorite. Sadly it never occurred to me to ask her why.
Perhaps it was the lilting tune that dances up and down the treble clef, with leaps from low notes to high. (You can listen to the carol here: There’s a Song in the Air.)
Perhaps Grandma especially enjoyed the expressive lyrics since she was a poet herself. I found this Christmas poem in her journal. (Keep scrolling for a typed version–easier to read.):
FOR CHRISTMAS 1955
Star of the East that shone for men
To guide to Jesus’ side,
Shines in the Christian heart today
Where the Lord Jesus abides.
For he’s the Bright and Morning Star,
Turning darkness into light.
He died on Calvary to save,
To remove sin’s dark blight.
Baby Jesus was born a King,
A Savior to die yet to reign.
He left His home in heaven above
And chose instead earth’s pain.
–C. E. M. (Clara Edna Mensinger)
Perhaps “There’s a Song in the Air” appealed to Grandma because her creative soul responded to such artful lines as these:
- And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing
- And that song from afar has swept over the world
- In the light of that star lie the ages impearled
- Ay! We shout to the lovely evangel they bring
“The Angel Appears to the Shepherds”
by Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740-1812)
I wonder if Grandma ever became curious about the origins of the carol? Did she know that the composer of the tune, Karl Harrington, discovered the lyrics while reading the works of one of his favorite authors Josiah Holland?
Holland was a novelist, poet, and editor of the popular Scribner’s Monthly. In the 1870s he reprinted his Complete Poetical Writings. This was the book in which Harrington found the poem “There’s a Song in the Air.”
At the time, the summer of 1904, Harrington was struggling through an overwhelming assignment: to compile a new hymnbook for the Methodist Church. Even for someone with his background as a highly trained musician, choral director, and composer–the task proved difficult.
Karl Harrington (1861-1953)
While taking a rest one hot afternoon, he picked up Harrington’s book, came across the poem, and immediately felt inspired to set the lovely verse to music.
He went to his organ and as he read the words aloud, let his fingers drift along the keys. A melody soon began to form. Harrington included the carol in the new hymnal.*
Perhaps like Harrington, my grandmother appreciated the fresh wonder stirred up by such inspiring lines as:
- The manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
- There’s a tumult of joy over the wonderful birth
- We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song, that comes down through the night from the heavenly throng
Grandma didn’t know Jesus until her mid-thirties, and up to that time had endured several painful traumas. (You can read a bit of her story in the post, The God of Rachel, Henry, and Clara Part 2.) But her newfound relationship with God brought peace and strength.
(Grandma Clara, years later, 1968.
P.S. Those glasses were the height of fashion back then!)
Perhaps a carol about joy, light, and song reminded her of the transformation Christ had brought to her life.
Grandma would want these lyrics to speak to our hearts too, refreshing our wonder in a Savior once cradled in a manger, destined to be King, who comes to us with “the lovely evangel” (verse 4, line 3)–the good news of God’s gracious plan to rescue us.
Hallelujah and a blessed Christmas to all!
*Ace Collins, Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001) 164-166.
What is your favorite carol and why? Please share in the comment section below!
Art & photo credits: Nancy Ruegg (2); http://www.pixy.org; http://www.wikimedia.org; http://www.hymnary.org; http://www.pixy.org; Nancy Ruegg.
From the Inside Out 
Loved the poem by your grandmother that you shared with us today, Nancy. You must have inherited her gene for writing! Thanks, too, for sharing the history of this hymn, and how it made its way into the Methodist Hymnal. I will certainly give it a listen!
Merry Christmas!
So glad you enjoyed Grandma’s poem. And thank you for the compliment, Martha!
Love seeing your grandma’s photo and reading about this song. Those who sing, pray twice is ons of my favorite quotes and reading lyrics as verse, not necessarily singing them adds depth and wisdom. Love your blog!
You make a good point, Jean, about reading lyrics at least occasionally instead of singing them. We’re sometimes drawn to new understanding or appreciation when there’s no tune. Hope you’re enjoying a restful day-after-Christmas, my friend!
Thanks for this wonderful tribute to your Grandma! You’ve reminded me of an old song and I’ll use it in the prelude to our afternoon vespers service on Sunday here at Evergreen Retirement Home in Oshkosh.
You are one of the few readers here who knew Grandma Clara. I hope the people of Evergreen Retirement Home enjoyed her favorite carol!
What an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing. Your grandma’s strength and talent was clearly passed on to you.
Oh, thank you, Fran. What a kind thing to say! So glad you enjoyed the story.
Nancy, what a rich and beautiful post. I look forward to reading more about your grandmother and looking through my mom’s old Hymnals for “There’s a Song in the Air”. I love how God gives us a new song to sing! 🙂 If I find it it would be wonderful to share during our Bible Study worship along with the poem. I love how words are eternal! Merry Christmas to you!
I’m honored (for my grandmother) that you’d like to share her poem and favorite carol with you Bible Study group. Praise God for his inspiration given to the lyricist, the composer, Grandma Clara, and even me. Merry Christmas to you also, Deborah!
Loved reading this today! Many, many sweet memories of your grandma! Thanks you for sharing!! Merry Christmas to all!!
As I said to Joyce above, you are one of the few readers who knew Grandma Clara. So glad you enjoyed the post and that we share many sweet memories with our large extended family–“back in the day” when all of us cousins were growing up!
So now we know where you got your talent for writing, prose, and keeping your journal! Your Grandma Clara’s poem is beautiful! I’ve always loved this Christmas carol. Thanks for reminding me of it and for exploring and sharing its history.
My favorite carol is ‘O Holy Night’. The music feels almost classical and the lyrics tell it all:
“A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;”
Hope IS thrilling, isn’t it? The Blessed Hope that we have in Him because of His sacrifice!
Thank you for your kind words, Cheri. Grandma would be so please that you found her poem beautiful! You and I share the same favorite carol, O Holy Night. I love the way the music picks up the excitement of that line, “a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.” And of course, in the back of my mind I can almost hear my mother’s stellar voice augmenting the thrill.
Amazing story!
Loved to read the whole post. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you, Mr. White. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the post!
Nancy, hi! I love this old song … I haven’t heard it in so long … it is a beautiful ode to our Savior and Lord!
And yes, this is a special time to remember those who went before us, who showed us how to love Jesus and serve Him faithfully.
New Year’s blessings to you and yours!
Thank you, Linda! I’m glad there are still a few of us who remember this carol. In my opinion it is as lovely to listen to and as meaningful to sing as many of the other well known carols. I wonder why this one has faded in popularity?
I was 35 when I got saved and come from a very painful childhood, married way too young and suffered some deep hurts during those early years of marriage. Becoming a believer was the best thing to ever happen to me. The Bible gave me tools to deal with my hurt and also grace to forgive those that hurt me. You post was full of truth and grace. Glad I stopped by to read. Blessings.
Thank you, Wise Hearted! I am honored you found truth and grace here. Praise God for his grace and the wisdom of his word to transform your life. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Christmastide blessings to you also!
Such a sweet and meaningful blog, Nancy! I love your Grandmother’s poem, and I also love that old Christmas hymn. We sang There’s a Song in the Air all during my growing-up years. Sad that we don’t hear it much anymore. I’m clicking on the link you shared right now and listening. Bless you, my friend, and Happy New Year!
Thank you, Patty, for stopping by and leaving your kind comments. I’m so glad there are still a few of us who fondly remember this lovely carol!