Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popularβand controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shine
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels
Keep their watch of wondering love
Oh, morning stars together
Proclaim thy holy birth
And praises sing to God the king
And peace to men on earth
Oh little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shine
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
Elvis Presley's song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is a Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus in the town of Bethlehem. The opening line laments over the fact that the once bustling town of Bethlehem is now quiet and still. The next line suggests that the stars are the only witnesses to the birth of Jesus. The second verse refers to the light of hope and how the hopes and fears of people all around the world have been met in this one small town on this one special night.
The third stanza speaks of the angels keeping watch over the birth of Jesus, highlighting the idea that the birth is a miraculous event. The lyrics are also written as if the morning stars themselves are singing praises to God for his holy birth. The final verse brings the song to a close, repeating the opening verse almost verbatim, with slight variations. This closing highlights the song's main message, that even in the quiet and still streets of Bethlehem, something miraculous has happened, and the hopes of all the people throughout history have been met in this one small town on this one special night.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, little town of Bethlehem
Addressing and referring to Bethlehem as a small and humble town
How still we see thee lie
Noticing how peaceful and quiet the town appears
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
Commenting on the calm and undisturbed state of the town's atmosphere
The silent stars go by
Observing the starry night sky above the tranquil town
Yet in thy dark streets shine
Despite the darkness of the streets, there is still bright and radiant light
The everlasting light
Referring to the eternal, unending light of God
The hopes and fears of all the years
Acknowledging the emotions and expectations felt by people throughout history
Are met in thee tonight
Recognizing that in Bethlehem, those emotions and expectations are fulfilled
For Christ is born of Mary
Stating that Jesus, the son of God, was born to Mary in Bethlehem
And gathered all above
Referring to the angels who came to witness Christ's birth
While mortals sleep the angels
Noting that humans were sleeping while this miraculous event took place
Keep their watch of wondering love
Describing the angels' awe and love as they watched the birth of Jesus
Oh, morning stars together
Addressing the stars in the sky, as if they are joining in on the singing and celebration
Proclaim thy holy birth
Announcing the news of Jesus' birth as a sacred and momentous occasion
And praises sing to God the king
Giving glory and honor to God, the creator and ruler of the universe
And peace to men on earth
Praying for peace and goodwill towards all people on earth
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lewis H Redner, Phillip Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephencoomer5692
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
@beckythomas5755
Hard to believe he has been gone since 1977 . How very beautiful !
@janledet7658
My family loves Elvis Presley.
@zuzannawisniewska4464
I'm 50 years old and never get tired of listening to this beautiful, legendary voice, amazing song...
@christakulikowski7567
Listening to this song with closed eyes - it fills me with awe and peace enters my soul. Thank you for Elvis' God given voice and talents which he used. We profit by everything that Elvis left behind! Wonderful Christmas time with Elvis!
@judithkeyte5819
Elvis at Christmas. What else do we need? Not a thing for me π§‘
@eamontrainor5990
Excellent version by the king
@brianmcd9492
Elvis was a Gospel singing Legend π
@zlatavachova5263
Beautiful.....Thank you Elvis πππ Forever πππ
@christakulikowski7567
So very beautiful Elvis' golden loving voice - it transponds me into the heavenly sphere. Thank you so much!!!
@rowdyboy00
Absolutely humbling.