The Christmas carol Bethlehem Down was written by poet Bruce Blunt in 1927 whilst between two pubs on the Pilgrims’ Way.

He was walking from The Plough in Bishop’s Sutton to The Anchor on the outskirts of Ropley in Hampshire.

Both pubs are now closed. The Plough, on the corner of Water Lane, suffered a serious fire and having been rebuilt is now a private house. The Anchor, near Ropley Watercress Line Station, is a steak house restaurant.

Within a few days Blunt had sent the words to composer Peter Warlock who lived at Eynsford on the Southwark branch of the Pilgrims’ Way. His cottage is today marked by a blue plaque.

Bruce Blunt was hoping the two might have some money for seasonal drinking, or an ‘immortal carouse’ as he called it, and so they entered their work in the annual Daily Telegraph carol competition.

They won and the carol appeared in the paper’s Christmas Eve issue.

The tune was for a congregation but in 1930 Warlock arranged a solo version. The manuscript was received by Lancaster Priory on the day he died.

Peter Warlock, born Philip Heseltine, was the father of art critic Brian Sewell.

Bruce Blunt is buried in the churchyard at Bishop’s Sutton where his carol is often sung on Christmas morning.

Bethlehem Down

When He is King we will give him the King’s gifts,
Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown,
“Beautiful robes”, said the young girl to Joseph
Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down.

Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight
Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold,
Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

When He is King they will clothe Him in grave-sheets,
Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown,
He that lies now in the white arms of Mary
Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down.

Here He has peace and a short while for dreaming,
Close-huddled oxen to keep Him from cold,
Mary for love, and for lullaby music
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.