James, born James Oppenheim, grew up in New Rochelle, New York, and studied clarinet at eight, later switching to saxophone. At age 15, his family moved to Los Angeles, where he began playing in a fusion band called Line One that was strong enough to open for Flora Purim and the Yellowjackets. He earned a degree in history from UCLA but became a full-time musician after graduation, doubling on keyboards.
In 1985, James went on the road as a keyboardist with Morris Day. He spent four years with Day and became an in-demand sideman, playing with Randy Crawford, Sheena Easton, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, and many others before going solo.
James has received four Grammy nominations, RIAA gold-certified albums, and millions of sales. His unique meld of soul-jazz, R&B, funk, and pop have come to define the sound of 21st-century contemporary jazz. Albums such as 1999's Body Language, 2004's Pure, and 2015's Futuresoul have influenced an entire generation of artists.
In 2020, James released his album Solid, featuring 11 self-penned compositions, including the single "Be Here," with Kenny Lattimore providing vocals. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard Current Pop Albums Chart.
James remains a prominent figure in the contemporary jazz scene, with his unique sound and influence on the genre solidifying his place in music history.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Boney James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Glory to the newborn 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 newborn 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
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that Man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark, the Herald Angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"
Hark, the Herald Angels sing
"Glory to the newborn 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
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark, the Herald Angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"
"Glory to the newborn King"
The song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," written by Charles Wesley in 1739, is a hymn that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics are full of religious imagery and reveal the joy felt by the angels, the masses, and the great event's significance. The first verse begins with the angels' proclamation to "glory in the newborn king" and to enjoy peace, suggested by the word mild. The joy is contagious, and all people are invited to rise and join the chorus of praise.
The second verse continues the celebration, stating that Jesus Christ is the Heaven-born prince of peace who brings light and life to all. The suggestion is that Christ has risen with healing in his wings and offers hope to people that they might have new life eternal. In the last verse, Christ is called to humility as he is born to die, to offer the second birth, making any man who believes in him born anew.
This rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Boney James is a contemporary adaptation and is gloriously orchestrated with a saxophone. James's saxophone sings throughout the rendition, giving an out of the ordinary approach to the traditional delivery of the song. One can reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus while meditating on this solemn-yet-blissful saxophone delivery. The contemporary mastermind creates an unmistakable blend of praise and jazz that's enticing and can attract a wider audience compared to old sacred hymns.
Furthermore, it is fascinating to note that the song's lyrics have gone through numerous modifications over time. For instance, Wesley's original verse, "Hark! how all the welkin rings / Glory to the King of Kings," has been altered to the popular version we know today: "Hark! The Herald Angels sing / Glory to the New-born King."
Line by Line Meaning
Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Listen closely, as the celestial messengers announce with song
"Glory to the newborn King"
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler
Peace on earth and mercy mild
Harmony and compassion for humanity
God and sinners reconciled
The divine and those who have deviated from righteousness are now in harmony
Joyful, all ye nations rise
With happiness and exultation, all people come together
Join the triumph of the skies
Celebrate the joyful victory in the heavens
With the angelic host proclaim
Make known with the heavenly messengers
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
The Anointed One has been born in the city of David
Hail, the Heaven born Prince of peace
Welcome the adopted royalty of heaven who brings harmony
Hail, the Son of righteousness
Welcome the offspring of justice and morality
Light and life to all He brings
He brings illumination and existence to all
Risen with healing in His wings
Rising with reparative power in his heavenly appendages
Mild He lays His glory by
Gently and humbly he relinquishes his splendor
Born that Man no more may die
Born to end humanity's cycle of mortality
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to elevate humanity
Born to give them second birth
Born to grant them a new start
Glory to the newborn King
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler
Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Listen closely, as the celestial messengers announce with song
"Glory to the newborn King"
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler
Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Listen closely, as the celestial messengers announce with song
"Glory to the newborn King"
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler
Peace on earth and mercy mild
Harmony and compassion for humanity
God and sinners reconciled
The divine and those who have deviated from righteousness are now in harmony
Joyful, all ye nations rise
With happiness and exultation, all people come together
Join the triumph of the skies
Celebrate the joyful victory in the heavens
With the angelic host proclaim
Make known with the heavenly messengers
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
The Anointed One has been born in the city of David
Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Listen closely, as the celestial messengers announce with song
"Glory to the newborn King"
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler
Writer(s): Ray Bunch, David Delargy, John F. Coates, Chris Rice, Jessica Simpson, Alec Gould, James W. Olander, Makhosini Mnguni, Michael Damien Hedges, Bob Miller, Martin O'hagan, Salli Isaak, David T. Clydesdale, Mike Post, Eugene O'hagan, Sandile Khemese, Douglas Smith, Jim Hammerly, William Kyle White, Paul Iii Wright, Roger Wagner, James B. Studer, Marty Parks, Steve Skinner, lee H. Groitzsch, Carol Tornquist, Thamsanqa Khemese, Daniel Carl Holter, Felix Mendelssohn, Cedric Carl Dent, Arif Mardin, Nat King Cole, Bob Dylan, Douglas Gamley, Jeff Anderson, Donald Mcclurkin, Bill Cantos, Edith Bergdahl, Bill Wolaver, Frank Mizen, Charles Wesley, Felix J. L. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Reuben Khemese Copyright: Bridge Building Music, Universal Music Publishing, Soundcast Music, Seven Summits Music, Network Music, Decca Music Group Ltd., Chappell Recorded Music Library, Emi Music Publishing Ltd., Nervous Music, Cedbev Music, Special Rider Music, Zfc Music, Connotation Music, Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp., Comet Music Corp., Fox Music A Division Of Classic Fox Records, MCA Music Publishing A.D.O. Universal S, Don Mac Music, Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, Netcap Music Publishing, Sweet Kisses Inc., Usi B Music Publishing, Clumsy Fly Music, Neue Welt Musikverlag Gmbh & Co. Kg, Deniz Publishing, Praisesong Music, Salli Isaak Music Publishing Ltd., Three Hundred Thirty Five Music, Taxicaster Music, Universal Music Publishing Ltd., Word Music LLC, WB Music Corp., Dayspring Music LLC
Contributed by Oliver W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.