The outcome is an album that represents the multiple facets of Cindy’s life as a wife, mother, and storyteller. “One of the greatest things in my life is being a mother to my two girls, Olivia and Savannah. I love seeing the world through their eyes; they teach me so much everyday and, of course, they inspire me.
Song Snapshots
‘Lay Me Down’
‘Lay Me Down’ starts off the record. “I wrote this song with my good friend and soul man Phil Madiera.” The music was inspired by the music from ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’ and came to her while gardening. “I was at our home in Canada, digging in the dirt and had my shovel out trying to break through this huge rock. I started singing this lyric based on a Psalm, Oh lay me down in your green pastures.”
‘The Sun Shines Through’
“This song like many was inspired by a few people in my life… all true stories of how we are sometimes handed a hard road and we wonder how we’ll make it through. It is so good to know that God will not leave us or forsake us, but bring about to completion the good work which He has started in us”.
Morgan has intentionally released few details about this record, preferring to keep it under wraps until just before the release date. In keeping with this path she has also decided to brave the digital frontier, releasing ‘Beautiful Bird’ exclusively in digital format through her website (cindymorganmusic.com) and iTunes, as well as, other hand picked online outlets. “The wonderful thing about doing a record like this is that you throw the rule book out the window… it really sets the creative spirit free to let each song, and the record as a whole, be what it is without boundaries that often squash the creative process.”
This record is a mix of all the musical styles Morgan has been a fan of. “It is a mix of Pop, Appalachia, Country, and Symphonic. I can’t choose the cello over the doboro so I wanted to make a record where they could live together. I am also a great admirer and pursuer of the art of writing a great country song and many of the lyrics are from that approach.” Morgan, who is a dynamic vocalist and pianist, has added to her musical quiver, the lap dulcimer. “I have written on the piano for so many years, it was great writing on different instruments. This really brings about different melodies and character of songwriting… I play the dulcimer and a little guitar.”
A songwriter's songwriter, Morgan has garnered eighteen number one hits that include ‘Listen’, ‘Praise the King’, ‘Take my life’, and ‘I Know You’; as well as Point of Grace’s recent hit ‘How You Live’. Morgan has garnered several Dove Awards and Billboard Music Video Award nominations. Her songs have been recorded by luminaries such as Michael W. Smith, Point Of Grace, Avalon, Rachael Lampa, Brit Nicole, Mandisa, The Martins, Michael English, BeBe
Winans, Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez, Mark Schultz, John Tesh, and Natalie Grant.
“A few years ago, I decided it was time for a rest from the road and take more seriously my desire to become a better songwriter. I decided of all places, to do this in Los Angeles. Along with my husband and our then one year old daughter, we headed to our little apartment in Burbank, California.” In Burbank, Morgan worked as a full-time songwriter in the Christian, pop, and country genres, crafting hits including Christy "It was so great to be around people who were not necessarily Christians because I recognized that their search goes on earnestly, and I felt so blessed that I knew what I believed and that I felt truth in that
belief."
Eventually, the family returned to Nashville and bought a house where they still make their home six months of the year. In this jambalaya of settings, Morgan engaged in a journey toward new self-discovery. She stretched as a wife and mother, and matured as a woman and musician. First and foremost, she drank deeply from a spiritual well and grew stronger in her faith. “Everyday is a new journey for me...I think we just keep on struggling and walking toward the path that God has set before us. I am so thankful to be here and to have a wonderful husband and two healthy children. I am so happy that I know Jesus and that He knows me and hears the prayers of my heart. I pray that whatever gifts he has given me, that I make the most of these gifts…never letting anything stand in the way of making manifest the wonderful goodness of God and the good news of what He has done for us.”
Joy
Cindy Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
- To our young Emmanuel,
Joy
- In the manger now where You dwell;
Ring the bells
Hallelu
- And the angel choir sing
- For hope and life that you bring
Emmanuel
Oh we sing:
Joy joy
Gloria gloria
Joy joy
Gloria gloria
Joy!
Joy!
Glory
- Came from heaven down to earth
Bethlehem
- Where the new star shined on the world
All the world
Glory
- From the highest heavenlies
Praise you Lord
Let our voices ring through the earth
Your joyous birth
We sing:
Joy joy
Gloria gloria
Joy joy
Gloria gloria
With no place to go
A bed made of stone
Joy joy joy
Make a joyful noise
Born this baby boy
Sing in mighty voice:
Joy joy joy!
Joy
joy
joy
Joy! Joy! Joy!
joy
gloria
joy
gloria
joy
joy
joy
gloria
The lyrics of Cindy Morgan's song Joy are focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and the joy and hope that his arrival brought to the world. The song begins with a chorus of joyful exclamation - "Joy! To our young Emmanuel, Joy! In the manger now where You dwell; Ring the bells." The lyrics encourage the listener to embrace a spirit of celebration and gratitude for the birth of the Son of God, who brought salvation to humanity. The lines "Hallelu- And the angle choir sing Hallelu- For hope and life that you bring Emmanuel," suggest that even the angels were filled with joy and praise upon Christ's arrival.
The second verse continues to describe the glory and significance of Christ's birth, with the lyrics "Glory- Came from heaven down to earth Bethlehem- Where the new star shined on the world All the world." The song describes the incredible impact that Christ's birth had on the world, and encourages listeners to join in worship and celebration. The final verse includes the lines "With no place to go A bed made of stone Joy joy joy" which reflects the humility of Christ's birth and the joy that came despite the humble circumstances. The chorus is repeated with increasing enthusiasm until the song concludes with "Joy! Joy! Joy!"
Line by Line Meaning
To our young Emmanuel,
Addressing the newborn baby Jesus, expressing awe and wonder at His birth
In the manger now where You dwell;
Recognizing the humble surroundings of Jesus' birthplace
Ring the bells
Invoking a celebratory atmosphere
And the angel choir sing
Referencing the biblical account of angels announcing Jesus' birth to the shepherds
For hope and life that you bring
Acknowledging Jesus as a source of hope and life for humanity
Emmanuel
Calling Jesus by one of His biblical names, which means 'God with us'
Oh we sing:
Expressing the desire to praise and worship Jesus through song
Glory
Acknowledging the majesty and splendor of God
Came from heaven down to earth
Reflecting on the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth
Bethlehem
Naming the town where Jesus was born
Where the new star shined on the world
Referencing the biblical account of the Star of Bethlehem that led the wise men to Jesus
All the world
Highlighting the universal significance of Jesus' birth
From the highest heavenlies
Emphasizing the divine origin of Jesus and His mission
Praise you Lord
Addressing God in reverence and worship
Let our voices ring through the earth
Expressing the desire to proclaim God's goodness and glory to all people
Your joyous birth
Celebrating the miraculous and joyful event of Jesus' birth
With no place to go
Reflecting on the lack of accommodation for Mary and Joseph before Jesus' birth
A bed made of stone
Describing the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth
Make a joyful noise
Encouraging praise and worship of God
Born this baby boy
Reminding of the miraculous and wonderful event of Jesus' birth
Sing in mighty voice:
Calling on all to praise Jesus with passion and enthusiasm
Joy joy joy
Repeating the central theme of the song - joy - to reflect the celebratory nature of Jesus' birth
Writer(s): Cindy Morgan
Contributed by Sebastian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.