When a Child Is Born
Gladys Knight & Johnny Mathis Lyrics


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A ray of hope flickers in the sky
A tiny star lights up way up high
All across the land, dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born

A silent wish sails the seven seas
The winds of change whisper in the trees
And the walls of doubt crumble, tossed and torn
This comes to pass when a child is born

A rosy hue settles all around
You've got the feel you're on solid ground
For a spell or two, no one seems forlorn
This comes to pass when a child is born

And all of this happens because the world is waiting,
Waiting for one child
Black, white, yellow, no one knows
But a child that will grow up and turn tears to laughter,
Hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone's neighbor
And misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten, forever

It's all a dream, an illusion now
It must come true, sometime soon somehow




All across the land, dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born

Overall Meaning

The song "When A Child Is Born" is all about the hope and joy that a newborn baby brings into the world. The song begins with the image of a "ray of hope" and a "tiny star" in the sky, and goes on to describe how the birth of a child can inspire people to let go of their doubts and fears. The lyrics suggest that a child has the power to bring people together and create a more peaceful world.


The second verse of the song continues this theme, describing how a "silent wish" can travel the world on the winds of change. The walls of doubt are said to crumble when a child is born, and people find themselves feeling more hopeful and secure. The third verse suggests that this feeling of joy and hope is something that is not limited to the parents of the child; it spreads throughout the community and beyond.


The chorus repeats the idea that the birth of a child is a transformative event that can bring about positive change in the world. The song acknowledges that there is still suffering and hardship in the world, but suggests that the birth of a child is a reminder that things can and will get better.


Overall, the song is a celebration of new life and the potential that every child holds. It is a reminder that there is always hope for a better future, and that even the smallest person can make a big difference in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

A ray of hope flickers in the sky
The birth of a child gives us hope for a brighter future


A tiny star lights up way up high
The birth of a child is a tiny miracle that illuminates the world


All across the land, dawns a brand new morn
The birth of a child is a fresh start for the world


This comes to pass when a child is born
The arrival of a child brings about positive change


A silent wish sails the seven seas
People all over the world are wishing for a better future for the child


The winds of change whisper in the trees
The birth of a child is a symbol of change and progress


And the walls of doubt crumble, tossed and torn
The doubts and fears of the world vanish in the presence of a child


This comes to pass when a child is born
The arrival of a child brings about positive change


A rosy hue settles all around
The world becomes brighter and more colorful with the arrival of a child


You've got the feel you're on solid ground
The birth of a child gives us a sense of stability and security


For a spell or two, no one seems forlorn
The joy of a new child brings happiness and comfort to all


This comes to pass when a child is born
The arrival of a child brings about positive change


And all of this happens because the world is waiting,
The world is eager for positive change and improvement


Waiting for one child
The world is waiting for a special child to bring about transformation


Black, white, yellow, no one knows
The child could be of any race or ethnicity, but their impact will be universal


But a child that will grow up and turn tears to laughter,
The child will bring joy and happiness to the world


Hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone's neighbor
The child will help the world overcome hate and conflict, promoting love and unity


And misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten, forever
The child will help eradicate pain and suffering from the world


It's all a dream, an illusion now
The world's transformation seems like a dream or fantasy in the present


It must come true, sometime soon somehow
The arrival of a transformative child is inevitable, and will occur soon


All across the land, dawns a brand new morn
The birth of a child brings about a fresh start and new era for the world


This comes to pass when a child is born
The arrival of a child brings about positive change




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alberto Salerno, Bembo A Baldan, Ciro Dammicco, Francesco Specchia, Maurizio Seymandi

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ATrain1946

This is undoubtedly THE best version of this song!!!

@chillin616

Absolutely... Thank you.🤗😁

@timdufelmeier7086

Agree other Johnny's live version.

@robertpongallo4079

Two beautiful voices. One beautiful song

@pennygiou5599

The best song I have ever heard... Merry Chistmass to all. Peace and Love everywhere..

@chillin616

Thank you, Merry Christmas....Peace & Love .🎄 💖🎅

@ixlnxs

This is the version I grew up with in Belgium, so for me it's the definitive one. Still play it every december down in southern Morocco.

@minminr3763

THANK YOU for posting this. One of my favorite Christmas songs for many years. It used to be played frequently on the radio at Christmas time. That stopped about 3 years ago when strict secular rules took hold at our radio stations. I really miss hearing songs like this that pay homage to the real reason for the season. Thanks!!

@chillin616

☆ MERRY ☆ ㅤ CHRISTMAS 🎅🎁🎀🎄 Stay safe...

@b1128625

Beautiful!

"When A Child Is Born" is a popular Christmas song. The original melody was "Soleado", a tune from 1974 by Ciro Dammicco (alias Zacar), composer for Italy's Daniel Sentacruz Ensemble, and Dario Baldan Bembo. The tune was based on Damicco's earlier tune "Le rose blu" published in 1972. The English language lyrics were written a few years later by Fred Jay (Friedrich Alex Jacobson IPI number 00015195204, who wrote many hits for Boney M such as Rasputin and Ma Baker). They do not make specific mention of Christmas but the importance they attach to looking forward to the birth of one particular child somewhere, anywhere, suggests a reference to the birth of Jesus Christ, and the citing of "a tiny star" that "lights up way up high" may allude to the Star of Bethlehem. Fred Jay's lyrics have been sung by many artists, most successfully by Johnny Mathis in 1976, whose version was the Christmas number one in the UK.B

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