Harry Connick, Jr. was born in New Orleans to Anita and Harry Connick, Sr. His mother was Jewish and his father was Irish Catholic. Connick's musical talent was evident from a young age and he studied at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts under Ellis Marsalis and James Booker. He went on to attend Hunter College and the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he was signed by Columbia Records.
In 1989, Connick provided the soundtrack for the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally..., winning his first Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance. He also made his screen debut in Memphis Belle and released two albums: Lofty's Roach Souffle and We Are in Love, which earned him his second consecutive Grammy. In 1991, he was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his contribution to the Godfather III soundtrack and released his third consecutive multi-platinum album, Blue Light, Red Light.
In 1992, Connick was arrested for having a gun at JFK International Airport but avoided charges by making a public-service television commercial. He continued to release successful albums, including 25 and When My Heart Finds Christmas, which was the best-selling Christmas album of 1993.
Harry Connick Jr. started his career as a jazz pianist and singer. In 1994, he released an album of New Orleans funk called She and took it on a tour of the United Kingdom and People's Republic of China. In 1996, he appeared in the successful movie Independence Day. By 1997, he returned to jazz music with his album To See You and played at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. He continued his film career, starred in Hope Floats and released his album Come By Me in 1999. Connick wrote the score for the Broadway musical Thou Shalt Not, in 2000, and starred in South Pacific and his twelfth movie Mickey. He won a Grammy Award for his album Songs I Heard, released two albums in 2001, and appeared on NBC sitcom Will & Grace from 2002 to 2006. He continued releasing albums, appeared in films such as Basic, and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for Harry Connick Jr. — "Only You" in Concert. In 2005, he composed and produced The Happy Elf, an animated holiday special.
[edit] Personal life
On April 16, 1994, Connick, Jr. married model Jill Goodacre, originally from Texas, at the St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Louisiana. They have three daughters: Georgia Tatom (born April 17, 1996), Sarah Kate (September 12, 1997), and Charlotte (born June 26, 2002). The family currently resides in Connecticut.
He is a founder of the Krewe of Orpheus, a music-based New Orleans krewe, taking its name from Orpheus of classical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus parades on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street in New Orleans on Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) — the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Harry Connick Jr. 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 they dark streets shineth
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning starts together
Proclaim thy holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth
The opening verse of Harry Connick Jr.'s version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" sets the scene in a manner that is both tranquil and unearthly. The first line of the verse calls to mind a peaceful, pastoral scene, with the small town of Bethlehem lying in stillness as if asleep, while the stars keep a silent vigil above. The second line then introduces a discordant note, describing the town's "dark streets" that are nevertheless illuminated by an "everlasting light." In these two lines, we see a metaphor for the way that Christ's arrival will bring light into the world's darkness.
The final verse of the song provides a powerful image of the way Christ's birth changes the natural world around us. The morning stars themselves are called upon to bear witness to the holy birth, and to sing their praises to God. The final line of this verse--"and peace to men on earth"--sums up the message of the entire song, which is that Christ's birth brings hope to all who dwell in fear and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
O little town of Bethlehem
Addressing Bethlehem as a small and humble town
How still we see thee lie
Noting the silence and peacefulness of the town
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The town is depicted as resting in a deep, undisturbed slumber
The silent stars go by
Stars in the sky pass by silently, admiring the town from above
Yet in they dark streets shineth
Despite the darkness, there is a shining light in the streets of Bethlehem
The everlasting light
The light is eternal, never to fade away
The hopes and fears of all the years
All the aspirations and apprehensions of humanity
Are met in thee tonight
Are embodied in the town of Bethlehem, tonight
For Christ is born of Mary
The birth of Jesus Christ, son of Mary, is celebrated
And gathered all above
All the heavenly beings come together to celebrate the occasion
While mortals sleep the angels keep
While humans are asleep, the angels watch over the town
Their watch of wondering love
The angels keep a loving and curious watch over the town
O morning stars together
The song calls upon the stars to celebrate the birth of Jesus
Proclaim thy holy birth
The birth of Jesus Christ is proclaimed as holy
And praises sing to God the King
Prayers of honor and gratitude are offered to God, the king of all
And peace to men on earth
The occasion is celebrated with the hope for peace on earth, and goodwill towards all
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lewis H Redner, Phillip Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind