David Foster was part of the group Skylark whose song "Wildflower" was a huge hit in 1972. He has worked with Clay Aiken, Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee, Céline Dion, Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, The Corrs, George Harrison, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Filippa Giordano, Laura Pausini, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Luis Miguel, Chicago, Fred Norris, Richard Marx, Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, Vanessa Williams, Anne Murray, Olivia Newton-John, Andrea Bocelli, Deborah Blando, Myriam Hernandez, Lara Fabian, Dolly Parton, Julio Iglesias, Gordon Lightfoot, Madonna, All-4-One, Al Jarreau, Yes, Peter Cetera and many others.
He composed the score for the film St. Elmo's Fire, which produced two hits, including the instrumental love theme. The other song, the #1 "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)", recorded by John Parr, is better known in Canada for its original inspiration, the Canadian wheelchair activist hero, Rick Hansen, who was attempting a (ultimately successful) trek around the world in his chair for his cause.
David Foster is also the name of a South African singer-songwriter who released the album "Flat to Round" in 2003.
O Holy Night
David Foster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Oh night divine, oh night, when Christ was born
Oh night divine, oh night, oh night divine
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and the gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord that ever never praise we
Noel, Noel, oh night, oh night divine
Noel, Noel, oh night, night divine
Noel, Noel, oh holy night
The song O Holy Night is a hymn that speaks about the birth of Jesus and how it has brought a sense of hope and joy to the world, which was previously lost in sin and error with no direction. The first stanza talks about how the stars shine brighter on the night of Jesus' birth and how the world, which had been longing for redemption, was given a sense of purpose and worth the moment Christ appeared. It's a momentous occasion marked by the thrills of hope and the rejoicing of a weary world, as a new dawn breaks forth in all its glory.
The second stanza recognizes that the birth of Jesus isn't just about one man’s salvation but about the message of love that he came to preach to humanity as a whole. The law of love is his teaching, and the gospel is one of peace. His coming brings together not just the rich and powerful but the poorest of slaves, for in his name all oppression shall cease. The final line calling on all who hear this hymn to raise their grateful chorus in praise to his name, as Christ is the Lord that ever shall be praised at all times by all people.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh holy night the stars are brightly shining
The night on which Jesus Christ was born was filled with the brightness and glory of the stars, which shone in all their brilliance to signify the birth of the savior of the world.
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
This is the night when the savior of the world, whom we hold so dear and precious, was born and came into the world to bring hope and peace to humanity.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
For a long time, the world was lost in sin and wrongdoings, searching for a way to redeem itself and find the truth, but it remained trapped in the darkness of its own making.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
Only when the savior appeared could humanity realize the true worth and value of its soul and begin to see the light and beauty within it, which had been obscured by sin and ignorance.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
The arrival of Jesus brought a new sense of hope and joy to the world, which had been exhausted and fatigued from its endless search for meaning and purpose.
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
With the birth of the savior, a new dawn of hope and light broke upon the world, filling it with radiance and glory and revealing the path to salvation and redemption.
Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices
Such is the power and majesty of this moment that one can only fall to one's knees in awe and reverence to hear the angelic voices proclaiming the birth of the savior and the glory of God.
Oh night divine, oh night, when Christ was born
This was the night of a divine revelation, the moment when the son of God was born into the world, enlightening and transforming it forever.
Truly He taught us to love one another
The teachings and example of Jesus Christ showed us the true path of love and compassion, urging us to treat one another with kindness, respect, and dignity.
His law is love and the gospel is peace
The essence of Jesus' message is that love and peace are the guiding principles that lead us to eternal life and happiness, and that we should strive to embody these virtues in all our actions and thoughts.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
Jesus' mission was to break the chains of slavery, oppression, and injustice that held captive his brothers and sisters in humanity, freeing them from their bondage and setting them on the path to freedom and redemption.
And in His name all oppression shall cease
The power and authority of Jesus' name are such that they can break down every barrier and defeat every form of oppression, paving the way for a new era of justice, equality, and peace.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Filled with gratitude and joy, we raise our voices in a sweet and melodious hymn, singing praises to the savior who has come to bring us hope and salvation.
Let all within us praise His holy name
May every fiber of our being be filled with gratitude and joy, singing praises to the holiness and majesty of the name of Jesus Christ, who has come to bring us light and salvation.
Christ is the Lord that ever never praise we
Jesus Christ is our Lord forever and ever, and we will continue to praise him and give thanks for the infinite love and mercy he has shown us.
Noel, Noel, oh night, oh night divine
Noel means 'Christmas' and the line is an expression of joy and gratitude for the incredible and divine night on which Jesus was born, which changed the world forever.
Noel, Noel, oh night, night divine
Rejoicing in the wonder and glory of the night on which our savior was born, we sing out praises and acclamations, knowing that the divine love and grace of Jesus Christ will always be with us.
Noel, Noel, oh holy night
This is the night of the holiest and most miraculous birth of our savior, which fills us with wonder and gratitude, and inspires us to live lives of love, compassion, and hope.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: TRADITIONAL, ROGER WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind