Farrell was born in Willimantic, Connecticut, but she moved at an early age to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, which she always publicly and affectionately called her home town.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Eileen Farrell 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
In "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," Eileen Farrell sings about the nativity story as two different accounts. The first verse describes the angels playing their harps of gold and singing the glorious song of old to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds. The second verse talks about the shepherds receiving the message of peace from God through angels. Both verses describe how the angels' message of peace caused the world to be still and listen to their song.
In the chorus, Eileen says she still hears the angels singing, implying that their message of peace and hope is timeless and still relevant today. This song highlights the beauty and significance of the Christmas story, reminding us of the joy and peace that comes with Jesus' birth.
Line by Line Meaning
It came upon the midnight clear
The event happened in the still, dark night
That glorious song of old
An ancient beautiful tune filled the air
From Angels playing near the earth
Heavenly beings were performing in close proximity to the planet
To touch their harps of gold
They played music on their golden harps
Peace on the earth could will two men
The message of harmony and tranquility might please mankind
From Heaven's all-gracious King
The merciful Almighty from above
The world in solemn stillness lay
The earth was in a hushed, sacred state
To hear the Angels sing
To listen to the chorus of celestial voices
And I hear them singing
The singer is acknowledging the heavenly music
Sing, I do hear them singing
The singer confirms hearing the Angels sing
The first Noel the Angel did say
The Angel announced the first Christmas to the shepherds
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The message was conveyed to humble shepherds resting in the fields
In fields where they lay, they keeping their sheep
The shepherds were watching over their flock in the pasture
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
During a frigid winter night with snow on the ground
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Edmund Sears, Richard Willis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Geof Knight
This represents a lost approach: a trained singer (but certainly not affectedly or ostentatiously so) with a tasteful, restrained orchestral arrangement by a smart arranger. Shows that training and intelligence can create art of the highest order, and leave behind the over-produced production and no-subtlety singing of too many current Christmas recordings. Thank you for posting this!
Debra Kite
TY , BenThour!!! I loved all these albums as a kid and they make me feel Christmas more than the modern artists... I hope you can put them all here! I remember for a female version of "O Holy Night"...don't remember who, but it is from the Goodyear or Firestone albums from the 60's! Could have been Eileen Farrell...or Ella Fitzgerald??? thanks again...and keep 'em coming!!! Merry Christmas!
Souvik Biswas
good stuff