Composer

:

Christmas Traditional

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Song: Folk Song

Compose Date

:

before 1933

Average_duration

:

3:19

"I Wonder As I Wander" is a Christmas carol that is believed to have originated from the Appalachian region of the United States. The exact date of its composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the early 20th century by John Jacob Niles, an American folk singer and collector of traditional songs. The carol premiered in 1933, when Niles performed it at a Christmas concert in Murphy, North Carolina. The song quickly gained popularity and has since been recorded by numerous artists, including Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, and Johnny Cash. "I Wonder As I Wander" is a simple, yet hauntingly beautiful carol that is typically performed in a slow, contemplative manner. The song is composed of three verses, each of which tells a different part of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse describes the narrator's wonder at the sight of the star of Bethlehem, which led the wise men to the manger where Jesus was born. The second verse tells of the narrator's encounter with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his amazement at her humility and grace. The final verse speaks of the narrator's own desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to live a life of love and service. The melody of "I Wonder As I Wander" is simple and repetitive, with a haunting quality that is reminiscent of Appalachian folk music. The song is typically performed a cappella or with minimal accompaniment, allowing the beauty of the melody and lyrics to shine through. Overall, "I Wonder As I Wander" is a beautiful and timeless Christmas carol that continues to inspire and move listeners more than 80 years after its composition.

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