December 1: Who is He in Yonder Stall? | BYU Men's Chorus

This is a great song to start off my top 25 list because this song does a very high level review of the Lord’s life. This song is a true verse & chorus/refrain structure. Many people think the verse is the most important part of a song but that’s not true. The verse exists to support the chorus or refrain (musically and lyrically). The chorus/refrain contains the main idea or the big picture of what is being expressed.

The short verses raise questions that an outsider might ask. Obviously, it’s somebody who is not familiar with the “King of Glory.” Fortunately, a king always sends his servants to “prepare the way” or to proclaim or announce his coming. The King of Glory isn’t any different. His subjects/servants are always ready to speak or bear testimony or explain at whose “feet we humbly fall.”

It’s interesting to note that the Babe Jesus had yet to perform his great expiation. In spite of this fact shepherds came, knelt and worshiped the Babe. His coming was foretold by prophets for thousands of years (see here, here and here).

What do you think is the main idea in this song? What are the arranger and the composer trying to express? Please leave a comment on the blog.

Who is He in Yonder Stall?

Who is he in yonder stall

at whose feet the shepherds fall?

Chorus/Refrain:

‘Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!

‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory;

at his feet, we humbly fall,

crown him, crown him Lord of all!

Who is he who stands and weeps

at the grave where Lazarus sleeps? Chorus/Refrain

Who is he in Calvary’s throes
asks for blessings on his foes? Chorus/Refrain

Who is he who from the grave

comes to seek and help and save? Chorus/Refrain

Performed by: BYU Mens Chorus
Composed by: Benjamin R Hanby
Arranged by: Donald Marsh
Published by: Plymouth Music Co.
Recording by: Tantara Records