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.
O Holy Night
Billy Gilman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
The thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night divine
The thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night divine
In Billy Gilman's version of "O Holy Night," the lyrics touch on the powerful emotions that come with the birth of Jesus. The song paints a picture of a world "in sin and error pining" until the birth of the Savior, after which the "weary world rejoices." The lyrics call upon listeners to "fall on [their] knees" and "hear the angel voices" as they reflect on the divine nature of the night when Jesus was born.
The repeated line "O night divine" emphasizes the holiness and transcendent beauty of the night, while the reference to a "new and glorious morn" suggests that the birth of Jesus brought about a fundamental shift in humanity, ushering in a new era of hope and redemption. Through poetic language and vivid imagery, "O Holy Night" conveys the power and transformative potential of Jesus' birth, inviting listeners to bask in the joy and wonder of this miraculous event.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Holy Night
This song is about the Holy Night.
The stars are brightly shining
The stars are shining brightly on this special night.
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
This is the night when the dear Savior is born.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
The world was in a state of sin and error for a long time, waiting for the Savior to come.
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
When the Savior arrived, the soul felt its true worth.
The thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
The hope that comes with the arrival of the Savior brings joy to the tired world.
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
A new and glorious day is dawning in the distance.
Fall on your knees
Fall down to your knees as a sign of reverence and awe.
O hear the angel voices
Listen to the beautiful voices of the angels.
O night divine
This is a divine night, a holy night.
O night when Christ was born
This is the night when Christ, the Savior, was born.
O night divine
This is a divine night, a holy night.
O night divine
This is a divine night, a holy night.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Adolphe Adam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind