The words to "O Come Little Children" were written in the late 1700s by Christoph von Schmid (1768-1854). Some sources indicate the translation from German to English was anonymous while others credit Melanie Schulte (1885-1922) for the translation. The music was composed by Johann Abraham Peter Schulz (1747-1800). Schulz was a music teacher in Berlin and toured Europe as an accompanist. He later wrote operas and was the musical director of the Berlin French theater. His career took him to Copenhagen where he remained for 18 years. His health declined after a fire in which he attempted to save the music library at Copenhagen, and he died in Germany on June 10, 1800. The words and music to "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" are anonymous and date to the sixteenth century. The song was collected by William Sandys in his work, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, of 1833, and it appeared in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in 1843. Beverly - keyboard, recorder and background; Bob - hammered dulcimer and triangle.
