This carol is an adaptation of the popular German 16th
century "Von Himmel Hoch Da Komm Ich Her" written by Martin Luther in
1535.The canon Charles Winfred
Douglas translated the words to English and adapted the music in 1939,
exactly 400 years after it had first been composed in 1539.It is a literal translation whereby
an angel is sent down with a message that is contained in the first three
verses and there is a response for this in the next three or sometimes four
verses.This adaptation was
taken by Leroy Anderson and used in his Suite of Carols for Brass Choir.
Leroy Anderson and His Orchestra recordings
Decca B0003552-02 (CD: A Leroy Anderson Christmas)