Composer

:

John Jacob Niles

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

ca. 1925

Average_duration

:

3:29

"I Wonder As I Wander" is a Christmas carol composed by John Jacob Niles in 1933. The song was inspired by a young girl Niles saw singing and dancing in the streets of Murphy, North Carolina, in 1933. He was so moved by her performance that he asked her to sing the song again and wrote down the lyrics and melody. The song has since become a popular Christmas carol, performed by many artists. The song is composed of three verses, each with a different melody. The first verse is slow and contemplative, with a simple melody that rises and falls. The second verse is more upbeat, with a faster tempo and a more complex melody. The third verse returns to the slower tempo of the first verse, but with a more elaborate melody that builds to a climax before resolving. The lyrics of the song are simple and poetic, reflecting the wonder and mystery of the Christmas story. The first verse begins with the line "I wonder as I wander out under the sky," expressing a sense of awe and amazement at the beauty of the world. The second verse tells the story of the shepherds who saw the star of Bethlehem and followed it to the manger where Jesus was born. The third verse reflects on the meaning of the Christmas story, asking "If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, a star in the sky or a bird on the wing, or all of God's angels in heaven to sing, he surely could have it, 'cause he was the King." "I Wonder As I Wander" was first performed by John Jacob Niles in a concert in New York City in 1934. The song has since been recorded by many artists, including Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, and Dolly Parton. The song has become a beloved Christmas carol, known for its simple beauty and heartfelt lyrics.

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