Ives began his career as an itinerant singer and guitarist, eventually launching his own radio show, The Wayfaring Stranger, which popularized traditional folk songs. In 1942, he appeared in Irving Berlin's This Is the Army and became a major star of CBS Radio. In the 1960s, he successfully crossed over into country music, recording hits such as "A Little Bitty Tear" and "Funny Way of Laughin'". Ives was also a popular film actor through the late 1940s and '50s. His film roles included parts in So Dear to My Heart (1948) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), as well as the role of Rufus Hannassey in The Big Country (1958), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Ives is often associated with the Christmas season. He did voice-over work as Sam the Snowman, narrator of the classic 1964 Christmas television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Ives also worked on the special's soundtrack, including the songs "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", both of which continue to chart annually on the Billboard holiday charts into the 2020s.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Burl Ives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 song "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is a popular Christmas carol that captures the essence of the holiday season. The first verse of the song captures the night of Christ's birth when the angels appeared to a group of shepherds on the cold and silent night. The lyrics mention the harps of gold that the angels used to play traditionally while singing their songs to their celestial king. The second verse of the song speaks to the peace on earth that follows Christ's birth. It's a peace that stems from the grace and love of God, which manifests itself through the angels. The third and last verse mentions the shepherds who were visited by the angels, telling them about the news of the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ. The lyrics describe a cold, still night - a night that was still, except for the singing of the angels.
The song captures the true meaning of Christmas and the joy that comes with the message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. The carol reminds us not only of the significance of Jesus' birth but also of God's love and grace. It's a song that people have enjoyed for decades and is a staple at Christmas gatherings.
Line by Line Meaning
It came upon the midnight clear
The moment of enlightenment took place at the stroke of midnight
That glorious song of old
The tune had historic majestic glory
From Angels playing near the earth
Angelic beings were hovering close to earth
To touch their harps of gold
They played harps made of gold
Peace on the earth could will two men
Two individuals with the desire for peace could make it happen
From Heaven's all-gracious King
The merciful God sent this message from heaven
The world in solemn stillness lay
The universe was completely silent, with no disturbances
To hear the Angels sing
Everyone was listening to the celestial beings' melody
And I hear them singing
I can perceive the Angels' song
Sing, I do hear them singing
I can attest that they are actively singing
The first Noel the Angel did say
An Angel expressed to the poor shepherds the message of the birth
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
It was said while the poor shepherds were resting in the fields
In fields where they lay, they keeping their sheep
The shepherds were overseeing their flock in that location
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
It was a chilly, long winter night
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: . TRADITIONAL, MATTHEW L. MUHOBERAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind