O Holy Night
4 Extra Debut. Former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu and singer Katie Melua reflect on the gentle, moving carol. From 2017.
For the former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, O’ Holy Night is the carol that lifted his spirits as he battled pneumonia in a London hospital.
It also inspired a fellow patient to find faith.
In Philadelphia, it is the song that outreach worker Asteria Vives sang when she took Christmas to the homeless.
For singer and songwriter Katie Melua it's the carol that awoke her love of music as an eight year-old in Belfast.
In addition, it's the Christmas family favourite which for Tymara Walker went viral, when she sang it on a Washington subway, reaching a worldwide audience of millions via social media.
Featuring choral conductor and composer Bob Chilcott.
Producer: Nicola Humphries.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
Broadcasts
Wed 20 Dec 201709:00BBC Radio 4- Wed 20 Dec 201721:30BBC Radio 4
- Christmas Eve 202123:00BBC Radio 4
- Fri 22 Dec 202320:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem
Watch the animation - Professor Mary King describes how the song became a symbol of hope.
Podcast
![]()
Soul Music
Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact
