As the son of a vicar, he had his first singing experiences in a church choir. He attended Ripon College, where he also sang non-professionally with a group called the Indigos, and graduated in 1962. He went on to earn a master's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Iowa, and worked as a rehabilitation counselor in San Francisco before joining a small jazz club trio headed by George Duke and deciding that he would make professional singing his life in 1968
He appeared in such Los Angeles hot spots as Dino's, the Troubador and Bitter End West. Television exposure came from Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin and David Frost, while he expanded his nightclub appearances to include performing at the Improv between the acts of such rising-star comics as Bette Midler, Jimmie Walker, and John Belushi, among others.
He was spotted by Warner Bros. in 1975 and soon thereafter released his critically acclaimed debut album, We Got By, which catapulted him into international fame and garnered him a German Grammy Award. A second German Grammy would follow with the release of his second album, Glow.
One of Jarreau's most commercially and artistically successful albums is Breakin' Away (1981), which includes the hit song "We're in This Love Together." He wrote and performed the Grammy-nominated theme to the 1980s American television show Moonlighting. Among other things, he is well-known for his scat singing and the ability to perfectly imitate conventional guitar, bass and percussive instrumentation. He was also a featured vocalist on USA for Africa's "We are the World" and sang the line, "...and so we all must lend a helping hand."
He has toured and performed with such greats as Joe Sample, Kathleen Battle, Miles Davis, David Sanborn and Rick Braun. He also performed the role of the Teen Angel in a 1996 Broadway production of Grease. On March 6, 2001 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue.
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Al Jarreau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glory to the new-born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of the Virgin's womb
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King
Hail the Heaven-born
Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King
The lyrics of Al Jarreau's song "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" are a direct reference to the Christian holiday of Christmas and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The song is composed of three stanzas, each one describing Christ's birth and the message of hope and peace that he brings.
The first stanza begins with the announcement of Christ's birth and the glory that accompanies it. This glory is then extended to the whole world as peace and mercy are bestowed upon all nations. The second stanza shifts the focus to the nature of Christ and how he is to be revered and worshiped as the everlasting Lord. This stanza also emphasizes his humanity, as he chose to live among us, and his divinity as the Son of God. The last stanza concludes with a call to worship Christ as the Prince of Peace and the bringer of life and healing to all people.
Altogether, "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" is a beautiful reminder of the love and hope that Christmas brings, and the joy that we can all share in the celebration of Christ's birth.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The angels are singing
Glory to the new-born King
Praise to the newly born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
May there be peace and kindness on earth
God and sinners reconciled
God and sinners have reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
All nations, rise in joy
Join the triumph of the skies
Join the triumph in the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
Announce with the angelic host
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Christ was born in Bethlehem
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ was worshiped by the highest heaven
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Christ is the eternal Lord
Late in time behold him come
He has come to us later in time
Offspring of the Virgin's womb
He is the child of a virgin
Pleased as man with man to dwell
He was pleased to live among us as a man
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus, our savior!
Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace
Celebrate the Prince of Peace born in Heaven
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Celebrate the son of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
He brings light and life to everyone
Risen with healing in His wings
He has risen to bring healing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID FINDLAY, N TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind