Dec
18

The Story Behind "O Come O Come Emmanuel"

Posted on December 18, 2015

O Come O Come Emmanuel was originally sung by monks in monasteries during the medieval days.  The words of this song were considered so important that a separate stanza was assigned to each of the most pious monks, to be sung from the 16th of December to the 23rd.  In the 1800's, a standard tune was written for it and the refrain was added.  

Here's an idea for your worship service.  Why not share the story behind the song, and then have all the men in your congregation stand to sing the verses. Everyone else could close their eyes and be taken back hundreds of years, when one of the first Christmas carols was ever written.

Today, O Come O Come Emmanuel remains one of the most popular carols to be sung, especially during the advent season. We have many arrangements that cover a wide range of styles and instruments.  Browse through the selection below to find the perfect version for your Christmas worship service.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Kim Walker-Smith (When Christmas Comes)
Keys: D, E, Eb, F, G, Gb
O Come O Come

O Come O Come

MercyMe (It's Christmas)
Keys: E, Eb, F, G
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Phil Wickham (Songs For Christmas)
Keys: Em, F#m
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

David Crowder (Oh For Joy)
Keys: C#m, Dm
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Lincoln Brewster (Joy To The World)
Keys: Ab, G
O Come Emmanuel

O Come Emmanuel

Paul Baloche (Christmas Worship)
Keys: Dm, Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Jeremy Camp (Christmas God With Us)
Keys: Dm, Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Big Daddy Weave (Christ Is Come)
Keys: Dm, Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Casting Crowns (Peace On Earth)
Keys: Am, Bm, Cm
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Traditional Carol, PraiseCharts (Traditional Carols Collection)
Keys: Cm, Dm
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

PraiseCharts Band, Arr. John Wasson (PraiseCarols (Vol. 1))
Keys: Cm, Dm, Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Josh Wilson (Noel)
Keys: Em, F#m
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Don Chapman (Christmas Hymncharts)
Keys: Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel 2013

O Come O Come Emmanuel 2013

Don Chapman (Christmas Eve Service Guide - Joy)
Keys: G
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Laura Story (God With Us)
Keys: Dm
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Traditional Hymn (Open Hymnal)
Keys: G
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Jon Ward (Contemporary Worship Carols)
Keys: Dm, Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Brad & Rebekah (Gift Of Grace)
Keys: G
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Sovereign Grace (Prepare Him Room: Celebrating The Birth Of Jesus In Song)
Keys: C#m, Cm
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Austin Stone Worship, Aaron Ivey (A Day Of Glory (Songs For Christmas))
Keys: Dm, Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

Don Chapman (Carol Interludes For Piano)
Keys: Abm, Am, Bbm, Bm, C#m, Cm, Dm, Ebm, Em, F#m, Fm, Gm
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Frank Ralls (Christmas Encounter)
Keys: Dm, Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

G3 Worship (My God My King)
Keys: Dm
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Dennis Jernigan (Carols Made New)
Keys: Dm, Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

NCC Worship (Thrill Of Hope)
Keys: F, G
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Traditional Carol (Christmas Carols For Acoustic Worship)
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Irving Bible Church Vox Humana Choir, Gail Wasson (The Carols' Story Collection)
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

Tom Payne (Christmas Jazz Instrumentals)
Keys: Fm
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Don Chapman (Christmas Eve Service Guide - I Adore You)
Keys: Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

Dennis Jernigan (Christmas Piano Volume 2)
Keys: Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Martha Munizzi (When He Came)
Keys: Am-Bbm
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

AnderKamp Music (Master's Brass Quintet Series (Vol. 1-7))
Keys: Em
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)

Hillsong Worship (Celebrating Christmas)
Keys: Gb
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Sean Dayton, Aimee Dayton (A Livingroom Christmas)
O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Valley Worship (God With Us)
Keys: G
O Come O Come Emmanuel (with The One Who Saves)

O Come O Come Emmanuel (with The One Who Saves)

G3 Worship (Emmanuel)
Keys: C#m

 

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Category: Song Stories

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