Born in Hope Valley, Rhode Island, with his parents Mr. & Mrs. William Gilman Jr., Gilman first received notice as a performer at age seven, attracting the attention of a local vocal coach, Angela Bacari, who later became his manager. Eventually he met with Ray Benson (of Asleep at the Wheel) who helped him record demos, including "Roly Poly". Two months later he was signed by Sony Music Nashville.
His 2000 debut album, One Voice, had a very widely-played single that crossed over well into top 40 airplay. The album reached multi-platinum status, and earned a Grammy nomination. Generally touted as a child prodigy, Gilman appeared on various talk shows. Classic Christmas (which was certified gold) was released later in the year.
He released Dare to Dream (certified gold) on Sony BMG Music Entertainment/Epic Records in 2001, and in 2003 released Music Through Heartsongs, an album inspired by the poetry of Mattie Stepanek. Later in 2003, he performed at a benefit for The Station nightclub fire. In May 2005, he released Everything and More, his first album since his voice changed.
Billy's latest album, self-titled, was released in September 2006 on the Image Entertainment label. The first single off the upcoming album, Southern Star, heralds a return to his country music roots. Billy is scheduled to begin working on his next album with Eddie Galan and Andrew Lane of Trilogy Productions.
Elisabeth
Billy Gilman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her daddy's pride and joy
Baptized in her mama's tears
Soon after she was born
'Cause the doctor said
She'd never live to
See her sweet sixteen
She beat those odds
And there's still no promise
She will see tomorrow
It makes me wonder
How life can give someone
So much and take
So much away
Ooh
Elisabeth
You're a teacher
You're a saint
And I'm so glad
You came to us
Elisabeth
You make the world
A better place
With the kindness of
Your smile and your love
And your beauty
With live on and on
Elisabeth
Elisabeth
She might not ever marry
Or hold a baby of her own
Things we all take for granted
Are the things she
May never know
She believes there's
Always hope
And that's all she really has
She walks through
Life with passion
And with dignity and class
And when she cries
She cries in silence
But never for herself
She cries for everybody else
Everybody else
Elisabeth
You're a teacher
You're a saint
And I'm so glad
You came to us
Elisabeth
You make the world
A better place
With the kindness of
Your smile and your love
And your beauty
With live on and on
I'm so glad you came to us
Elisabeth
You make the world
A better place
With the kindness of
Your smile and your love
And your beauty
With live on and on
The lyrics to Billy Gilman's song Elisabeth tell the story of a girl with the same name who was not expected to live beyond age sixteen but defied the odds. The song describes the difficulties Elisabeth has faced and may continue to face as a result of her condition, but focuses on the positive impact she has on the world around her. Despite not being able to experience some of life's most common milestones, like getting married or having children, Elisabeth brings kindness, love, and beauty into the lives of those around her. She is described as a teacher and a saint, and her impact is said to live on through those who have been touched by her.
Line by Line Meaning
Namesake to Elisabeth
This song is about a girl named Elisabeth
Her daddy's pride and joy
Elisabeth's father is proud of her
Baptized in her mama's tears
Elisabeth's mother cried tears of joy when she was baptized
Soon after she was born
This event took place when Elisabeth was a baby
'Cause the doctor said
The reason for concern was because the doctor made a prediction
She'd never live to
The doctor predicted she wouldn't survive
See her sweet sixteen
The doctor said she wouldn't live to see her sixteenth birthday
It's a miracle that
The fact that Elisabeth survived is considered a miracle
She beat those odds
Elisabeth defied the doctor's prediction
And there's still no promise
Despite surviving, there's no guarantee she will continue to live
She will see tomorrow
There's no guarantee Elisabeth will live to see tomorrow
It makes me wonder
This situation raises questions for the songwriter
How life can give someone
The songwriter is reflecting on life's unpredictability
So much and take
Life can give a lot to someone, but it can also take a lot away
So much away
Life can take away a lot from someone
Elisabeth
The songwriter addresses Elisabeth again
You're a teacher
Elisabeth is said to be a teacher
You're a saint
Elisabeth is referred to as a saintly figure
And I'm so glad
The songwriter is happy about something
You came to us
Elisabeth joined the songwriter's life
Elisabeth
The songwriter addresses Elisabeth again
You make the world
Elisabeth has a positive impact on the world
A better place
Elisabeth makes the world a better place
With the kindness of
Elisabeth's good nature is mentioned again
Your smile and your love
Elisabeth's smile and love has an impact on people
And your beauty
Elisabeth is also physically attractive
With live on and on
Elisabeth's positive influence will continue into the future
She might not ever marry
Elisabeth may never get married
Or hold a baby of her own
Elisabeth may never have children
Things we all take for granted
The ability to marry and have children is something many people just assume they will have
Are the things she
These things are what Elisabeth may not have
May never know
Elisabeth may never experience these things
She believes there's
Elisabeth has a belief about something
Always hope
Elisabeth has an optimistic outlook
And that's all she really has
Hope is what Elisabeth has to hold onto
She walks through
Elisabeth moves through life
Life with passion
Elisabeth is passionate about life
And with dignity and class
Elisabeth carries herself with grace
And when she cries
Even when Elisabeth is sad
She cries in silence
She does so quietly
But never for herself
She isn't crying for her own sake
She cries for everybody else
She feels sadness for others more than herself
Everybody else
The sadness Elisabeth feels is for everyone else
Elisabeth
The songwriter addresses Elisabeth one final time
You're a teacher
Elisabeth is referred to as a teacher again
You're a saint
Elisabeth is referred to as a saintly figure again
And I'm so glad
The songwriter is still pleased
You came to us
Elisabeth joined the songwriter's life
Elisabeth
The song ends with Elisabeth's name again
You make the world
Elisabeth's positive impact on the world is reiterated
A better place
Elisabeth contributes to making the world a better place
With the kindness of
Elisabeth's good nature is mentioned one last time
Your smile and your love
Elisabeth's smile and love has a lasting impact
And your beauty
Elisabeth's physical attractiveness is mentioned one last time
With live on and on
Elisabeth's impact will have a long-lasting effect
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KIM MCLEAN, LIZ ROSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kiran
just learned the history behind this masterpiece, thank you apple country radio for inviting Liz Rose on to share this incredible story <3
Ethan Lemus
What’s the story? I’ve always been curious about it
Kiran
@Ethan Lemus From what I remember, she had taken a long break from songwriting and one day got a call from her brother informing her that his daughter (her niece) Elisabeth had a tumor and was going into surgery; she felt a compulsion to write a song for her later that day and shared it with her brother, eventually Billy Gilman recorded it and everyone in the family, including the late Elisabeth, absolutely loved it..
Ethan Lemus
@Kiran thanks so much!
Elena Soler
Recuerdo cuando pasaban este tipo de videos en Enlace Juvenil allá por principios del año 2000, qué tiempos. 😭😭
Rey Sarabia
I love his song..
Desirae Tolman
i thought that i was the only one that likes billy gilman
Angela Blue margolin
Some one told me that she had neurofibromatosis I suffer from NF also love this song
Brandon McBride
I seen this on a nf page on Facebook and shared it a few years ago it just popped up on my memories. I went to play the song to show my girlfriend and seen your comment. Myself and two of my kids have Nf 1.
Angela Blue margolin
@Brandon McBride I have NF2