Why “Once in Royal David’s City” opens Christmas at King’s College!
- larees24
- Dec 19, 2025
- 2 min read
🎄 Welcome, to ‘Christmas around the Piano’…a nostalgic musical journey!🎄
Day 19 - December 19, 2025:
'Once in Royal David’s City' began not as a carol, but as a children’s poem written in 1848 by Cecil Frances Alexander, one of the most influential hymn writers of the 19th century, to teach doctrine, rather than for performance. It appeared in her book Hymns for Little Children, a collection designed to explain the Apostles’ Creed to young readers. This particular poem was written to illuminate the line “born of the Virgin Mary”.
Alexander believed children deserved theology that was both accessible and beautiful. So she crafted a poem that retold the Nativity in simple, vivid language — a gentle, intimate portrait of Christ’s humble birth.
In 1849, English organist Henry John Gauntlett discovered the poem and set it to music, creating the tune “Irby”, which is still used today.
The carol became world‑famous thanks to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge. In 1919, organist Arthur Henry Mann introduced it as the processional hymn, with the iconic tradition of a solo boy chorister singing the first verse unaccompanied. This first verse solo, is chosen at the last moment — the chorister doesn’t know he’ll sing it until seconds before the service begins. The King’s College broadcast tradition began in 1928 and is now one of the most listened‑to Christmas Eve broadcasts in the world, reaching millions.
Quick Facts!
✨The carol’s melody “Irby” was considered unusually gentle and pastoral for its time.
✨The carol’s structure mirrors a catechism — each verse teaches a theological truth in child‑friendly language.
✨Cecil Frances Alexander also wrote “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “There Is a Green Hill Far Away” — she shaped Victorian hymnody.
I do hope you have enjoyed reading about this carol, as much as I have enjoyed presenting this to you.
Thank you for joining me on this festive journey! Wishing you and your loved ones, a season filled with light, laughter, love, and of course, MUSIC! 🌟🎄
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Christmas cheer and good tidings to you!
Larissa
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