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
Away In a Manger
Aled Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweethead.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my bedside till morning is nigh.
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And lift us for heaven, to live with thee there.
The lyrics of the song 'Away in a Manger' describe the scene of the birth of Jesus Christ in a stable, where there was no proper crib for him to rest his head. The song expresses the humble and simple conditions of the birth of one of the most revered figures in Christianity. The stars shining bright in the sky were the only source of light illuminating the place where little Lord Jesus was sleeping on the hay. The scene has a serene and peaceful appearance as the little Lord Jesus, even though awakened by the sound of cattle lowing, does not cry.
The second stanza of the song reflects the personal devotion and prayer of the singer. The singer expresses his love for the little Lord Jesus and implores him to stay by his side until morning arrives. The singer's request for nearness and love from the Lord Jesus reveals a deep-seated faith and trust in the divine power of Jesus Christ. The last two lines of the song express the singer's hope that God would bless all the children and raise them to live with Jesus eternally in heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The baby Jesus was laid in a manger, as there was no crib available for him to sleep in.
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The baby Jesus went to sleep, laying his head down gently in the hay.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The bright stars shone down on the place where the baby Jesus was sleeping.
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The baby Jesus was asleep, resting on top of the soft hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
The cows were mooing, and this noise woke the baby Jesus from his sleep.
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
Despite being woken up, the baby Jesus did not cry, but remained calm and peaceful.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
The singer of the song professes their love for Jesus, and asks him to look down from heaven.
And stay by my bedside till morning is nigh.
The artist asks Jesus to stay with them through the night, until morning arrives.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay,
The artist asks Jesus to remain close to them and not leave.
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
The artist requests that Jesus stay by their side forever, and continue to show them his love and care.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
The singer asks Jesus to bless and watch over all the children who are under his loving care.
And lift us for heaven, to live with thee there.
The artist asks Jesus to raise them up to heaven, so they can live with him there for all eternity.
Contributed by Aaliyah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.