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 popular—and 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.
On A Snowy Christmas Night
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A Cathedral's candle light
Bring the message of the holidays
On a snowy Christmas night
Holly reeds and hidden mistletoe
Symbols of the seasons might
Joyful faces everywhere you go
Give thanks for all you've been blessed with
And hold your loved ones tight
For you know the Lord's been good to you
On a snowy Christmas night
Mother Nature wears a bridal gown
For the world is dressed in white
There's a silent glow that fills the earth
On a snowy Christmas night
For you know the Lord's been good to you
On a snowy Christmas night
The opening line of "Midnight's prayers so softly whispered in a Cathedral's candle light" immediately establishes the solemnity of the occasion, indicating a religious context of the song. The lyrics go on to describe the holiday season, starting with the symbols associated with Christmas such as Holly reeds and hidden mistletoe. The song paints a picture of a world dressed in white with Mother Nature like a bride. There is a sense of peace and silence that fills the earth.
The chorus urges listeners to give thanks for all that they have been blessed with and to hold their loved ones tight. It reinforces the emphasis on recognizing the good that they have in their lives during the holiday season. The song seems to be about appreciation and recognizing the beauty of the moment. It is an endearing reminder to not let the stresses and troubles of the world overpower the magic of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight's prayers so softly whispered in
The quiet and peaceful whispers of prayers at midnight
A Cathedral's candle light
The flickering light of candles in a church
Bring the message of the holidays
Conveying the essence of the holiday season
On a snowy Christmas night
On a winter night with snowfall
Holly reeds and hidden mistletoe
Nature's symbols of the festive season
Symbols of the seasons might
Representing the power and influence of the seasons
Joyful faces everywhere you go
Happy and cheerful expressions of people all around
Give thanks for all you've been blessed with
Expressing gratitude for one's fortunes and blessings
And hold your loved ones tight
Hugging the people one loves dearly
For you know the Lord's been good to you
Acknowledging the kindness and goodness of the supreme power
Mother Nature wears a bridal gown
Nature adorns itself in a beautiful and pure appearance
For the world is dressed in white
The world is covered in snow and looks pristine
There's a silent glow that fills the earth
The still and quiet radiance spreads across the globe
On a snowy Christmas night
During a winter night when snow is falling
For you know the Lord's been good to you
Recognizing and expressing gratitude toward the divine benefactor
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STANLEY JAY GELBER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dorosu
Yes, brothers, God gave Elvis a voice that will delight us for hundreds of years. The Christmas songs sung by him really make me feel the Christmas spirit.
@christakulikowski7567
Merry Christmas to all my fellow Elvis' fans around the globe! 72 yrs - love him and his music for 66yrs already. Am addicted to that versatile golden voice. From Namibia.
@amandagross9146
What I would give to hear this again on my parents childhood record player. Fuzziness and skips in areas of the record. My parents dancing in the living room. It's engrained in my memory forever. ❄️⛄
@joannbelaski8967
I can picture Christmas tree and presents and snow falling down. So beautiful: Elvis is the best:
@erikraether
"On a Snowy Christmas Night" is such a beautiful Christmas song
that should definitely be more well known than it actually is.
Elvis will surely always remain The King of music and entertainment.
@christakulikowski7567
That's for sure!!!! A most faithful man blest by God and his fans know this. Forever appreciative of every thing that Elvis left behind for us to enjoy.
@user-wh7bc7pb1x
Brilliant song no one will ever be better than Elvis because he is the king
@kittyread1605
Beautiful...from such a beautiful heart we were so blessed to have for 42 years ❤❤❤ ..and in my heart for all eternity ❤🌹😥🙏💌. This is so beautiful, and over the years meant a lot ...and always will..His Christmas songs will always be of sentiment as all his beautiful recordings. With this song , I'm met with a warmth, much sentiment reflecting special memories and in prayers 🙏✝️. 💟❤️
@pilartena4648
Fantàstic sentir Elvis cantan Merry Christmas day. Quina veu tan meravillosa. 💓🎵🎸🎤🌲
@NeverforgetElvis
Never forget what a gift he was and continues to be. Merry Christmas ya'll!