Little Town

O little town of Bethlehem 

you’re not so quiet tonight

For the walls that surround this holy place 

are 30 feet high 

For eyes look down with pointed guns 

children in their sight

Let there be peace in Bethlehem tonight.

They took your land and forced you out 

but you kept the key 

For they could not take your heart away, 

your soul, your dignity

Forced to camps where you must live 

may one day you be free

There is no peace in Bethlehem tonight

Chorus: O Bethlehem when will you be free 

              and all your refugees

              O Bethlehem will we hear your cry 

              or just sit back and close our eyes

              There is no peace 

              in Bethlehem tonight

Many earn a wage in Jerusalem 

it’s just five miles away. 

And at 4am line up at checkpoints 

every single day. 

For permits, IDs, and fingerprints, 

the price that they must pay.

There is no peace in Bethlehem tonight. 

O dear families of Bethlehem 

Will you sleep safe in your home

Or will soldiers raid your place tonight

For children throwing stones

And will we hear your cries of pain 

Or must you stand alone

We hope for peace in Bethlehem tonight. 

Chorus: O Bethlehem when will you be free 

              and all your refugees

              O Bethlehem will we hear your cry 

              or just sit back and close our eyes

              There is no peace 

               in Bethlehem tonight

O little town of Bethlehem 

how still we see thee lie

With your families hiding in their homes 

and soldiers drawing nigh 

Bombs and airstrikes near the sea

Please let our hope not die

Let there be peace in Bethlehem tonight

Let there be peace in Gaza Strip tonight

We pray for peace in Palestine tonight. 

words & music by Ruth Meyers | ©️ 2023 Ruth Meyers