Christina Rosetti (1830 - 1894) came from a distinguished literary background and wrote the words to this popular carol in response to a request from a magazine called 'Scribner's Monthly'.

Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934) wrote his hymn tune 'Cranham' in 1906 and this is one of the two melodies to which Christina Rosetti's words are usually sung (the other being by Harold Darke).

This arrangement was made for Owen Farr and Buy As You View Band and recorded by the same performers on CD 24585 The Wonder of Christmas.