He is best known for singing "Walking in the Air", the song from Channel 4's animated film "The Snowman", based on the book by Raymond Briggs. The song reached No. 5 in the UK charts. Ironically, the version in the film was not performed by Aled, but by Peter Auty, a St. Paul's Cathedral choirboy.
When his voice broke at the age of 16, Aled "retired" to concentrate on his school work and playing foorball! He later went to the Royal Academy of Music, followed by The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, after which he played the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" in Blackpool for a year.
In 2003, Aled relaunched his voice as an adult, when he released his first adult album, "Aled". Although he had a previous album before this release, "From The Heart", Aled considered "Aled" as his first proper adult album.
Since then, he has released 6 other albums. These are:
Higher
Aled: special edition
The Christmas Album
New Horizons
You Raise Me Up: The Best of Aled Jones
Reason To Believe
Aled's Christmas Gift
Aled's next album, "Forever", will be released on September 26th 2011
Aled has also become a regular presenter on Songs of Praise (BBC 1), Good Morning Sunday (BBC radio 2) Friday Night is Music Night (BBC radio 2) and the Choir (radio 3). He has also presented editions of 'Escape to the Country' and 'Celebrity Cash in the Attic' on BBC television. Aled is now involved in presenting the third edition of "Classical Destinations", filming in the UK, in Europe and in Australia.
In July / August 2008 Aled starred in an eight week run in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, at the Wales Millenium Centre as the wacky inventer Caractacus Potts. Aled starred in White Christmas at the Lowry Theatre, Manchester following a two week run at the Theatre Royal Plymouth between November 2009 and January 2010. He will be appearing again in White Christmas in Southampton, Dublin and Liverpool, in November and December 2011
Abide With Me
Aled Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide:
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
I need thy presence every passing hour,
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless,
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies,
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee,
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
The first stanza of Aled Jones's hymn "Abide with me" presents a very dark and depressing scene. As the eventide, or evening, approaches, the darkness seems to deepen and the mere presence of the Lord is desperately needed in order to provide any glimmer of hope or comfort. The singer acknowledges that other helpers have failed and comforts have fled, so they are turning to the Help of the helpless. The plea for the Lord to abide with the singer is one of desperation and complete dependence.
The second stanza continues the theme of dependence on the Lord's presence every hour, as the tempter's power is too much for the singer to handle alone. The singer insists that the Lord is the only one who can guide and stay with them through all of life's ups and downs, including the times of clouds and sunshine. By asking for the Lord's presence in all circumstances, the singer is acknowledging that they need God's guidance and comfort through both the good and the bad times.
The final stanza is a truly beautiful and moving plea for the Lord to help the singer with their dying breath. The image of the Lord holding His cross before the singer's closing eyes and pointing to the skies, welcoming them to Heaven, creates a sense of peace and comfort, especially when paired with the acknowledgement that the Lord will abide with the singer in life and in death. The entire hymn is a beautiful reminder of our complete dependence on God's grace and presence, and the hope that He offers in both life and in death.
Line by Line Meaning
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide:
Lord, the day is coming to an end, and darkness is approaching. Be with me.
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide:
As the darkness grows, Lord, stay by my side.
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
When all else fails, and comfort seems far away,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
You are the only help for someone like me, so please stay with me.
I need thy presence every passing hour,
I need you with me every moment of every day,
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Only your grace can defeat the temptations of the devil.
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
There is no one else who can guide and support me like you can.
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
No matter what happens, Lord, please stay with me through the good and bad times.
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless,
With you by my side, I have no fear of my enemies.
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Problems feel light and tears don't sting when you are with me.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
Death no longer has power over me, and the grave has lost its victory because of you.
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
Even in difficulty, I can still overcome with you by my side.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes,
When I am dying, let me see your cross before my eyes,
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies,
Shine your light through the darkness and guide me to heaven above.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee,
The morning of heaven is coming, and the meaningless things of this world will soon disappear,
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Lord, stay by my side both in life and in death.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Carroll, Henry Lyte, William Henry Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind