Though born in New York, Peter's was raised in Boulder, Colorado, and then moved to Nashville in the late 1980s. There, she found work as a songwriter, composing hits for Martina McBride, Etta James, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Anne Murray, as well as for Neil Diamond and co-writing songs with Bryan Adams. She has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song, in 1995 and 1996, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2003.
Peters has released a string of studio albums of her own. The title track of her 1996 debut album The Secret of Life was later recorded by Faith Hill in 1999.
In the case of her new album, 'Blackbirds,' "juice" is certainly understatement. Recorded in Nashville, the album features a who's who of modern American roots music: Jerry Douglas, Jason Isbell, Jimmy LaFave, Will Kimbrough, Kim Richey, Suzy Bogguss and more. But it's not the guests that make 'Blackbirds' the most poignant and moving album of Peters' storied career; it’s the impeccable craftsmanship, her ability to capture the kind of complex, conflicting, and overwhelming emotional moments we might otherwise try to hide and instead shine a light of truth and understanding onto them.
'Blackbirds' is, in many ways, an album that is unafraid to face down mortality. But rather than dwell on the pain of loss, the music finds a new appreciation for the life we're given.
If anyone can open up that conversation, it's Peters. Inducted into the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, she has long been one of Music City's most beloved and respected artists, known never to shy away from darkness and struggle in her writing. Martina McBride's recording of her stirring "Independence Day," a song that deals with domestic abuse, was nominated for a Grammy and took home Song of the Year honors at the CMAs, and her work has been performed by everyone from Etta James and Neil Diamond to George Strait and Trisha Yearwood. "If Peters never delivers another tune as achingly beautiful as 'On A Bus To St. Cloud,'" People Magazine wrote, "she has already earned herself a spot among country's upper echelon of contemporary composers."
'Blackbirds' follows Peters' 2012 album 'Hello Cruel World,' which NPR called "the album of her career" and Uncut said "establishes her as the natural successor to Lucinda Williams." If anything, though, 'Blackbirds' truly establishes Peters as a one-of-a-kind singer and songwriter, one in possession of a fearless and endlessly creative voice.
In the Bleak Midwinter
Gretchen Peters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter, long ago
Angels and archangels may have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss
Oh what can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, would I bring a lamb
If I were a Wise Man, would I do my part
Yet what I can I give him: give my heart
Gretchen Peters's song In the Bleak Midwinter is a beautiful and poignant Christmas carol. The song starts by describing the winter scene with the frosty wind moaning and the Earth standing hard as iron. The snow had fallen many times and the land is frozen in time. This bleak description is quite touching and sets the scene for the song. The second stanza introduces a more uplifting mood as it talks about the angels and archangels and their gathering. The cherubim and seraphim are also mentioned thronging the air. However, despite all these heavenly beings, Mary is the only one worshiping the beloved with a kiss in her maiden bliss.
The final stanza is the most introspective and soulful. It asks a question of what the singer can give the beloved in the midst of all this grandeur. The singer contemplates whether they would bring a lamb if they were a shepherd or do their part as a Wise Man. They then offer their heart as a gift, the only thing they can truly give. The song is a true reflection of the humble nature of the birth of Jesus Christ in a lowly manger.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan
During the cold winter, the wind howled in despair.
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone
The ground was rigid and unyielding, and the water was frozen solid.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow
A heavy snowfall had covered the land, creating layers upon layers.
In the bleak midwinter, long ago
In the distant past, during a harsh and cold winter.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there
Perhaps divine beings had assembled in that place.
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air
The heavenly host crowded the sky.
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss
Yet only his mother, who was still a virgin, in her state of profound happiness
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
Had the privilege of giving a loving kiss to the beloved.
Oh what can I give him, poor as I am?
Oh, as someone who doesn't have much to offer, what gift can I bestow on him?
If I were a shepherd, would I bring a lamb
If I were a shepherd, would I bring a young sheep as an offering?
If I were a Wise Man, would I do my part
Would I fulfill my duties as one of the wise men?
Yet what I can I give him: give my heart
However, the only thing I can offer him is my heart - my love and devotion.
Contributed by Bentley S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
xxEvangelineRxx
Ah, Darke's version - it's nice to hear this version for a change! :)