This lovely and wistful hymn was discovered by folklorist and singer, John Jacob Niles, in the Appalachian town of Murphy in North Carolina in 1933 when he heard a young girl sing fragments of it at an Evangelical meeting in the town square. Given the melody and one line of lyrics, Niles wrote the present version. Many believe it to be much older than the year it was discovered by Niles. It has been covered many times, most notably by Mahalia Jackson. It is often sung at Christmas time. The rendition below by Linda Ronstadt gives the melody line very simply.Below the Ronstadt version is another on a mountain dulcimer which is absolutely beautiful.

TAB

Click immediately above to get the TAB.