Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Brickman enrolled in the Cleveland Institute of Music taking courses in composition and performance, while taking business classes at Case Western Reserve University. His music career started when he was nineteen, when Jim Henson hired him to write tunes for Sesame Street. He was also hired to write commercial jingles while in college.
Brickman writes a wide variety of music. Besides his piano compositions and love songs, he has also created arrangements of other songs. Several of his albums feature arrangements of children's music; he has produced two Christmas-themed albums The Gift (1997) and Peace (2003); and his 2005 album Grace concentrates on arrangements of well-known Christian music.
Jim Brickman has also starred in the now-on-DVD PBS specials "My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman", "Love Songs & Lullabies" and "The Disney Songbook." In 2006, he sponsored his first Jim Brickman Valentine's Day Cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines which has become an annual event.
One Fine Day
Jim Brickman Lyrics
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Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet, their words repeat
Peace on earth, goodwill to men
I thought how, as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along in unbroken song
Peace on earth, goodwill to men
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
And in despair I bowed my head
?There is no peace on earth?, I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Goodwill, goodwill to men
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Goodwill, goodwill to men
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Goodwill
The lyrics of Jim Brickman's song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," are evocative and insightful. The song has a message of hope that is anchored in the Christmas story, and as such, it resonates with a lot of people during the festive season. The lyrics begin with the singer hearing the bells ringing out the familiar carols of Christmas, but despite the old traditions echoing in the background, the world feels less peaceful than it once did. The lines "Peace on earth, goodwill to men" are repeated throughout, almost as if the bells are trying to convince the listener that there is hope for a peaceful world.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges the challenges of achieving peace on earth. They begin to feel despair, realizing that the world is plagued by hatred and conflict. However, the bells ring out more boldly, affirming that God is not dead, and the "wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill to men." This message of hope is powerful, and it represents a reassurance that peace and goodwill will ultimately triumph. The song ends with the confident repetition of "peace on earth" and "goodwill to men."
Overall, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is a profound commentary on the challenges of achieving peace in our world, but it provides some hope that such peace is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard the bells on Christmas day
I perceived the sound of the Christmas bells
Their old familiar carols play
The known melodies were being played
And mild and sweet, their words repeat
The lyrics were gentle and pleasing, conveying an important message
Peace on earth, goodwill to men
The message being conveyed was one of harmony and kindness towards all
I thought how, as the day had come
Upon hearing the bells, I was reminded of the significance of the day
The belfries of all Christendom
The bells of all the Christian churches
Had rolled along in unbroken song
Were united in celebration and harmony
Peace on earth, goodwill to men
The message of harmony and kindness was being received by all
And in despair I bowed my head
Suddenly, I began to feel hopeless
?There is no peace on earth?, I said
I was overcome with the feeling that there was no hope for harmony in the world
For hate is strong and mocks the song
The power of hatred seemed stronger than the power of the peaceful message being conveyed
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
The hopeful message of peace and kindness was being disrespected by those with hate in their hearts
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
Suddenly, the bells became louder and more intense
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
An important message was being conveyed that God was still present and active
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
Despite the power of hate, goodness and kindness will ultimately win out
With peace on earth, goodwill to men
Once again, the message of harmony and kindness was being reiterated
Goodwill, goodwill to men
The Christmas message of goodwill towards all
Peace on earth
The hope for universal harmony
Peace on earth
The hope for universal harmony
Peace on earth
The hope for universal harmony
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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