The band was formed over 125 years ago through public donations given by the townsfolk of the adjacent villages of Brighouse and Rastrick that face each other across the River Calder in West Yorkshire, England.
Today, it still continues to be supported through public subscriptions and its own fund raising efforts. Its amateur members traditionally pride themselves on being financially independent, never having been beholden to any commercial interest, yet they are still regarded as one of the ‘elite’ on the contest and concert platforms.
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Brighouse & Rastrick Band Lyrics
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That glorious song of old
From Angels playing near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth could will two men
From Heaven's all-gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
And I hear them singing
Sing, I do hear them singing
The first Noel the Angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay, they keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
The Brighouse & Rastrick Band's song "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" is a beautiful Christmas carol that speaks of the angels' appearance in the midnight sky to announce the birth of the Messiah. The first verse of the song talks about the glorious song of the angels that touched their harps of gold, announcing peace on earth, which was willed by the all-gracious King in Heaven. The world, in solemn stillness, listened to the angels' melodious song, which filled the hearts of all those who heard it with peace and joy.
The second verse talks about the shepherds in the field who are visited by an angel who tells them about the birth of a savior who will bring joy and peace to the world. This verse speaks to the humble beginnings of the Messiah and how his message of love and peace is spread to even the most marginalized members of society.
The repetition of the phrase, "And I hear them singing, sing, I do hear them singing" at the end of each verse adds a sense of awe and wonder to the song, as if the listener is transported to that magical moment when the angels announced the birth of the Messiah.
Line by Line Meaning
It came upon the midnight clear
An event occurred during clear midnight.
That glorious song of old
A beautiful and divine melody from the past.
From Angels playing near the earth
Angels were present near the earth.
To touch their harps of gold
They played their golden harps to create music.
Peace on the earth could will two men
The message of peace on earth could unite people.
From Heaven's all-gracious King
The message of peace comes from a kind King in heaven.
The world in solemn stillness lay
The world was quiet and peaceful.
To hear the Angels sing
People listened to the angels' music.
And I hear them singing
The artist hears the angels singing.
Sing, I do hear them singing
The artist emphasizes that they hear the angels singing.
The first Noel the Angel did say
An angel spoke of the first Noel (Christmas) to some shepherds.
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
These words were spoken to specific lower-class individuals who were resting in a field.
In fields where they lay, they keeping their sheep
The shepherds were guarding their animals in that same field.
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
This event happened on a wintry night with a strong depth of cold.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edmund Hamilton Sears, Richard Storrs Willis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind