For the former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, O’ Holy Night is the carol that lifted his spirits as he battled pneumonia in a London hospital.

It also inspired a fellow patient to find faith.

In Philadelphia, it is the song that outreach worker Asteria Vives sang when she took Christmas to the homeless.

For singer and songwriter Katie Melua it's the carol that awoke her love of music as an eight year-old in Belfast.

In addition, it's the Christmas family favourite which for Tymara Walker went viral, when she sang it on a Washington subway, reaching a worldwide audience of millions via social media.

Featuring choral conductor and composer Bob Chilcott.

Producer: Nicola Humphries.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017. Show less