From Heaven High I Come To You

(Martin Luther/Charles Winfred Douglas)

This carol is an adaptation of the popular German 16^th 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)

Sources:

1. http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/from_heaven_high_i_come_to_you.htm
2. http://www.pbs.org/sleighride/Video&Music/Compositions_SuiteCarolsBrass.htm