Their first release in 1985 was a seven-inch single named "Crazy Game", with the B-side "Everybody's Waiting (for Someone to Come Home)". That same year, the Indigo Girls released a six-track Extended play album named "Indigo Girls", and in 1987 released their first full-length album, Strange Fire, recorded at John Keane Studio in Athens, Georgia, and including "Crazy Game". With this release, they secured the services of Russell Carter, who remains their manager to the present; they had first approached him when the EP album was released, but he told them their songs were "immature" and they were not likely to get a record deal.
They were signed to Epic Records in 1989 and won the Grammy for best contemporary folk album later that year (for their self titled release) Some of their hit songs include "Galileo," "Closer to Fine," and "Shame on You."
Aside from being musicians, Ray and Saliers are activists, constantly supporting causes like gun control, women's rights, Native American rights, environmental protection, the abolition of the death penalty, and as lesbians themselves, LGBT rights. They constantly devote their time and money to such causes, often playing benefit concerts.
Ray and Saliers both have side projects. Ray owns and founded Daemon Records, an independent label based in Decatur. She also has a career as a solo artist, and has released two albums thus far. Saliers is the part owner of Watershed, a restaurant and wine bar in Decatur.
Together, the Indigo Girls are constantly touring. Their new album, Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, was released March 24, 2009.
In The Bleak Midwinter
Indigo Girls Lyrics
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Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him...
Give my heart.
The song “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Indigo Girls is an adaptation and arrangement of a poem by Christina Rossetti of the same name, originally published in 1872. The lyrics paint a vivid, wintry picture of a desolate landscape with snow piled high, the earth hard as iron, and icy winds moaning. Amidst this harshness, Rossetti describes a stable, warm and comforting, where Jesus Christ was born. The song stresses the idea that the humblest of offerings given with sincerity can be the best gift to give Jesus, as represented in the final lines, "What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him... Give my heart.”
The song builds, line by line, until the end, and the climax is the recognition of the greatest gift one can give being one's heart. The song ultimately highlights the contrast between the harshness of winter and the warmth of the stable, between the wealth of the magi and the poverty of the shepherds, and between the grandeur of the angels and the simple devotion of Mary.
Overall, the song captures the profound and quiet beauty of the nativity story, reminding us of the true meaning of the Christian holidays and inspiring us to give our hearts to the divine, no matter how seemingly small or humble our offering may be.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
In the cold and colorless season, the mournful wind blew and groaned,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
The ground was rigidly frozen and the water was solid ice;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
It had snowed heavily, layering snowflakes on top of each other;
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
This was a long time ago, during a harsh winter.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Our God is too great for even heaven to contain Him or the earth to bear His presence;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
When He returns to rule, both heaven and earth will disappear;
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
During this harsh, winter season, a humble stable was enough;
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
It was the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Lord God Almighty.
Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
This modest setting is fitting for Jesus Christ, who is worshiped by heavenly angels day and night;
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
With only milk from His mother's breast and a bed of hay in a feeding trough;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
It's enough for Jesus Christ, before whom even angels bow down;
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
The animals of the stable who recognize and honor Him.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Angels and archangels could have all gathered there;
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
Cherubim and seraphim were flying everywhere;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
But only His mother, in her joyful and innocent state,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
worshiped Him by kissing and holding her newborn Son.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
As someone who is poor and can't give much,
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a shepherd, I'd bring a lamb as an offering;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
If I were a Wise Man, I'd give what gifts I had;
Yet what I can I give Him...
But all I have to offer is...
Give my heart.
My heart, my devotion and my love.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PD TRADITIONAL, TERRY OLDFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind