Once in Royal

After a couple of rather hectic days (about which, more later), here is a real Christmas calmer.
Published in Miss Cecil Humphreys' hymnbook 'Hymns for little Children' in 1848, it is, of course Once In Royal David's City. A year later, H.J. Gauntlett discovered the poem and set it to music.
The traditional opener to the King's College Cambridge, service of Nine Lessons and Carols since 1919, it starts with the boy soprano's solo first verse and builds to a heart warming crescendo.

Not a dry eye in the house!