A succession of singles and albums established Dr. C.J. Johnson as one of the country’s foremost hymnologists. His recordings were at once anachronistic and refreshing at a time when gospel music focused squarely on hard-singing leads and heavy instrumental backing. Dr. Johnson’s commitment to the old time sound – straight congregational singing with occasional slaps of the tambourine – earned him an invitation to sing at the White House on three separate occasions.
Lady In Black
C.J. Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who loves Yahweh and does what's right
Is visited by an angel
She's terrified, mystified
'Till he clarifies that he's here to prophesize
And says, "Fear not
You who are highly favorite of God
Still Mary was greatly troubled by his words
(Christmas in black and white)
And wondered what kind of greeting this might be
And he said, "Do not be afraid, Mary
For you have found favor with God?
You will be with child, and will give birth to a son
And you are to call His name Jesus
(Christmas in black and white)
He will be great, He will be called the Son of the Most High
Mary replied, "How can these things be
Since I have not yet been with a man?"
The angel answered and said
"The Holy Spirit shall come upon you
And the power of the Most High shall shower you
So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God?
(Christmas in black and white)
Even Elizabeth, your relative
Is going to have a child in her old age
And she who is said to be barren is in her sixth month
For nothing is impossible with God"
"I am the Lord's servant", Mary answered
"May it be to me as you have said"
Then the angel was gone
The song "Lady In Black" by C.J. Johnson is not about the traditional Christmas story, but rather about the story of Mary, a teenage girl who is visited by an angel and informed that she will give birth to Jesus. The song portrays Mary as a Nazarite who loves Yahweh and does what is right, emphasizing her purity and devotion to God. When the angel arrives to prophesize, she is initially terrified and mystified, but he calms her fears by telling her that God is with her and that she is highly favored.
Despite this reassurance, Mary is still troubled by the angel's words and wonders what kind of greeting this might be. When she is told that she will give birth to a son named Jesus, she questions how this could be possible since she has not yet been with a man. The angel responds by telling her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, and that the power of the Most High will shower her, making it possible for her to give birth to the Son of God.
Mary's response to this news is one of humility and submission to God's will. She declares herself to be the Lord's servant and agrees to do as the angel has said. The song ends with the angel departing, leaving Mary to contemplate the miraculous events that are about to unfold in her life.
Line by Line Meaning
A teenage girl, a Nazarite
A young girl who followed the Nazarite vow
Who loves Yahweh and does what's right
She is devoted to God and follows his commandments
Is visited by an angel
An angel appears to her
She's terrified, mystified
She is scared and confused
'Till he clarifies that he's here to prophesize
He explains that he is here to make a prophecy
And says, "Fear not
He tells her not to be afraid
You who are highly favorite of God
She is favored by God
The Lord is with you"
God is with her
Still Mary was greatly troubled by his words,
Mary was still disturbed by what he said
(Christmas in black and white)
This is a reference to the religious significance of what is happening
And wondered what kind of greeting this might be
She is curious about what the angel means
And he said, "Do not be afraid, Mary
The angel tells her again not to be afraid
For you have found favor with God?
She is still favored by God
You will be with child, and will give birth to a son
She will become pregnant and have a son
And you are to call His name Jesus
She is instructed to name her son Jesus
He will be great, He will be called the Son of the Most High
Her son will be very important and called the son of God
Mary replied, "How can these things be
Mary questions how this is possible
Since I have not yet been with a man?"
She is still a virgin
The angel answered and said
The angel responds
"The Holy Spirit shall come upon you
The Holy Spirit will cause her to become pregnant
And the power of the Most High shall shower you
She will be blessed by God
So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God?
Her son will be considered the son of God
(Christmas in black and white)
This is a reference to the religious significance of what is happening
Even Elizabeth, your relative
Her relative Elizabeth
Is going to have a child in her old age
Elizabeth will give birth despite her age
And she who is said to be barren is in her sixth month
Elizabeth, who was thought to be unable to have children, is already six months pregnant
For nothing is impossible with God"
God can do anything
"I am the Lord's servant", Mary answered
Mary accepts God's plan
"May it be to me as you have said"
She agrees to God's plan
Then the angel was gone
The angel leaves
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., FUN ATTIC MUSIC, LLC
Written by: NICOLE C. MULLEN, NICOLE COLEMAN MULLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind