At thirteen, Jonathan's talents caught the ears and eyes of British record … Read Full Bio ↴At thirteen, Jonathan's talents caught the ears and eyes of British record producer Clive Caulder. He was signed to Caulder's Jive Records and as the old cliche goes, the rest is history.

Jonathan's first single broke down racial barriers, becoming the first song by a black artist to be played by white radio stations in South Africa. Because Jive was headquartered in England, Jonathan decided to move there to focus on his recording career. His commitment to his craft paid off with his self-titled debut album, which received a Grammy nomination for the pop hit "Lies."

Jonathan's ability to blend his roots in African music with western pop sensibilities would be a trademark of many albums to follow, though never more refined than in his latest release.

For example, the first single from Jonathan is a rendition of the folk-rock classic "Fire and Rain." Butler breathes new life into this classic, infusing the vocals with intensity, as subtle as it is powerful. The musical arrangement is lively and soulful, indicative of his roots in World music. "Fire and Rain" is already garnering accolades from top radio programmers. Lori Lewis, program director for WSMJ in Baltimore states, "It literally gave me a lump in my throat. I walked into the studio and introduced it live on air. Vocals this great are really rare."

Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Jonathan Butler Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you born in the mangle
Sweet Holy child
They didn't know who you are

Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you born in the mangle
Sweet Holy child

They didn't know who you are

Didn't know you came to save my soul
To wash our sin away
Our eyes were blind we could not see
We didn't know who you are

Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you born in the mangle
Sweet Holy child
We didn't know who you are

We didn't know you came to save us all
To wash our sin away
Our eyes were blind we could not see
We didn't know who you are

We didn't know you came to save us all
To wash our sin away
Our eyes were blind we could not see
We didn't know
We didn't know
We didn't know
We didn't know
Didn't know
We didn't know
Didn't know
Didn't know
Didn't know who you are
Didn't know
Didn't know
Didn't know
Lord we didn't know

Didn't know
Didn't know who you are

Overall Meaning

The song "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" by Jonathan Butler is a poignant and reflective piece that explores the irony of Jesus' humble birth and the lack of recognition or understanding of his true identity by those around him. The lyrics convey a sense of regret and remorse for not realizing the significance and purpose of Jesus' arrival.

The repetition of the phrase "They made you born in the manger" emphasizes the disconnect between the circumstances of Jesus' birth and his divine nature. The manger symbolizes poverty and insignificance, contrasting with the fact that Jesus is the Holy child and the Savior of humanity. The line "They didn't know who you are" acknowledges the ignorance and blindness of the people who were witness to Jesus' birth, unaware of the profound impact he would have on the world.

The chorus of the song speaks of Jesus' purpose: "Didn't know you came to save my soul, to wash our sin away." It highlights the redemptive power of Jesus' sacrifice and his mission to bring salvation to humanity. The repetition of "Our eyes were blind, we could not see" reflects the lack of awareness or understanding of Jesus' true identity and his purpose. It underscores the notion that the true significance of Jesus goes beyond his earthly appearance.

Line by Line Meaning

Sweet little Jesus boy
Adorable infant Jesus

They made you born in the mangle
They arranged for your birth in a humble manger

Sweet Holy child
Pious and virtuous infant

They didn't know who you are
They were unaware of your true identity

Didn't know you came to save my soul
Unaware that you arrived to redeem my spirit

To wash our sin away
To cleanse us from our transgressions

Our eyes were blind we could not see
We were spiritually blinded, unable to perceive

We didn't know who you are
We were ignorant of your true nature

We didn't know you came to save us all
We were oblivious to your mission to rescue humanity

We didn't know
We lacked knowledge

We didn't know who you are
We were unaware of your divine essence