HUTSON, Wihla

Wihla Hutson is an American lyricist, composer, organist, and choral director known for her long collaboration with composer Alfred Burt, providing the lyrics for a beloved series of original Christmas carols that include "Some Children See Him" and "The Star Carol". Born on April 29, 1901, in Lake Station (now East Gary), Indiana, she moved with her family to Detroit, Michigan, where she pursued musical education at the Detroit Conservatory of Music and established a career as a church organist and choral director.
Hutson's most enduring contributions emerged from her association with the Burt family, beginning in 1949 when she wrote poems for their annual Christmas cards at the request of Alfred Burt and his wife; these verses were set to music by Burt and distributed as personal greetings before gaining wider recognition and publication as the Alfred Burt Carols. Her lyrics often explored themes of wonder, diversity, and peace, resonating in performances and recordings over the decades.