While at university, Siberry began performing in folk clubs in Guelph, Ontario, linking up first with singer Wendy Davis and then with bass guitarist John Switzer in a group called Java Jive. Following the split of Java Jive in 1979, her first self-titled album was released in 1981.
For her 1984 second album "No Borders Here" , Siberry mostly abandoned the folk approach in favour of electronic art-pop. Siberry's first hit was the No Borders Here track "Mimi on the Beach". Siberry's third album, The Speckless Sky (1985), continued her art-pop approach. It was another commercial and critical success, going gold in Canada by selling over 100,000 units and establishing Siberry as a Canadian pop star. The album provided another hit single, "One More Colour".
For her fourth album (her first for Reprise), Siberry created "The Walking". Released in 1988, it contained a set of intricately structured songs, many of which were lengthy and shifted between narrative viewpoints and characters.
Siberry's sixth album, When I Was a Boy, was completed in 1993. Siberry's next release, "Maria" (released in 1995) featured a more jazz-inspired direction with live acoustic instrumentation.
With her 1995 album Maria being a commercial failure, Siberry founded her own independent label, Sheeba Records. She has released all of her subsequent material on that label. While her public profile became lower after she became an independent artist, she retained a devoted cult following.
Early in 2006, Siberry closed her Sheeba office, then sold and gave away nearly all of her possessions -- including her home and instruments. On June 3, 2006, somewhere in northwestern Europe, Siberry changed her name to Issa. She revealed her new name to the public on June 24, 2006.
In 2016, she released the album "Ulysses' Purse" as Jane Siberry
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Jane Siberry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow
Snow on snow
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago
May have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air
But only his mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshiped 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
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
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 Mid-Winter" by Jane Siberry paints a picture of harsh winter conditions with the earth standing hard as iron, the wind moaning, and snow falling deeply. The first stanza of the song is descriptive of winter conditions that are bleak and sparse with only the image of snow with the sound of the frosty wind creeping in. The second stanza delves into a more delicate and magical world, as it suggests that angels and archangels may have gathered there, with cherubim and seraphim thronging the air. However, only Mary, the mother of Jesus, is mentioned as she worships her son, the beloved, with a kiss in her maiden bliss. The song concludes with the singer questioning what they can give to Jesus, poor as they are. If they were a shepherd or wise man, they would bring a lamb or do their part, but all they can give is their heart.
The lyrics of the song allude to the bleakness of winter and the joy that the birth of Christ brings. The idea of a harsh winter reflects the struggle that many people face in their daily lives, in contrast to the hope that the birth of Christ brings. The overall message of the song is that even when one feels that they have nothing to offer, giving from the heart is the most important gift they can give.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak mid-winter
The time is winter and everything is very desolate.
Frosty wind made moan
The cold wind is making a sad, moaning noise.
Earth stood hard as iron
The ground is so cold and hard that it feels like iron.
Water like a stone
The water is so cold that it feels like a stone.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow
There is a lot of snow covering everything.
Snow on snow
There is so much snow that it is stacked upon itself.
Long ago
This is a scene from a long time ago.
Angels and archangels
There may have been heavenly beings present.
May have gathered there
They may have come together in this place.
Cherubim and seraphim
Different types of angels may have been present.
Thronged the air
They filled the air with their presence.
But only his mother
However, only Jesus' mother was truly present.
In her maiden bliss
She was very happy and content in this moment.
Worshiped the beloved
She showed love and reverence to her beloved son.
With a kiss
She showed her affection by giving him a loving kiss.
What can I give him
The artist is wondering what they could possibly give to Jesus.
Poor as I am?
The artist is acknowledging that they are not wealthy.
If I were a shepherd
If the singer were a shepherd, they would bring a lamb as a gift for Jesus.
I would bring a lamb
The singer would offer a precious lamb as a gift for Jesus.
If I were a wise man
If the artist were a wise man, they would also offer a gift for Jesus.
I would do my part
The artist would fulfill their responsibility to offer a gift to Jesus.
Yet what I can I give him
The artist is acknowledging that they have little to offer.
Give my heart
Despite not having material gifts, the singer can offer their heart and love to Jesus.
Contributed by Brody T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.