Julie Andrews got her big break when her stepfather introduced her to Val Parnell, whose Moss Empires controlled prominent venues in London. Andrews made her professional solo debut at the London Hippodrome singing the difficult aria "Je Suis Titania" from Mignon as part of a musical revue called "Starlight Roof" on 22 October 1947.
Andrews gained fame at a young age in 1950s Britain by acting and singing on light entertainment radio programmes such as "Educating Archie". She rose to international prominence after starring in Broadway musicals such as My Fair Lady and Camelot, as well as musical films like Mary Poppins (1964) and The Sound of Music (1965).
Andrews had a major revival of her film career in the 2000s, in children's films such as The Princess Diaries (2001), its sequel The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004), and the Shrek animated films (2004-2007). In 2005, Andrews made her debut as a stage director with a revival of The Boy Friend, in which she also made her Broadway acting debut in 1954.
She was married with Blake Edwards in 1965 until his death in 2010.
In the Bleak Midwinter
Julie Andrews 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.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
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" is a beautiful and contemplative hymn that is often associated with the Christmas season. The lyrics begin with a description of the harsh winter weather and the seemingly lifeless landscape. The lines "Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow" create a vivid image of the cold, dead world. However, amidst this desolation, the second stanza speaks of a divine presence. It suggests that angels and other celestial beings may have gathered in this place, likely to celebrate the birth of Christ.
The final stanza of the song is perhaps the most moving. It addresses the question of what gifts we can offer the newborn king. The lyrics suggest that even if we have nothing material to offer, we can give him our hearts. The line "Yet what I can I give him: give my heart" is a simple but profound statement of faith and devotion.
The message of the song is one of hope and love. Despite the bleakness of winter, there is still joy to be found in the presence of Christ. The song encourages us to offer all that we have, even if it seems insignificant, to the cause of love and goodwill.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
During the cold midwinter, the whistling wind was ominous and mournful.
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
The ground was so cold and unyielding that it was as rigid as iron, and the water was frozen solid like a stone.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
The snow was so thick that it appeared to be layered, with fresh snow continually accumulating on top of old snow.
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
This is a distant memory from a bleak midwinter many years ago.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
It is possible that heavenly beings, such as angels and archangels, were present at this time.
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
The air may have been bustling with cherubim and seraphim - two high ranks of angels.
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
However, Jesus' mother - Mary - was the only one present who was unburdened by sin and full of joy in her pure and innocent state.
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
Mary expressed her love and devotion to Jesus by giving him a kiss.
What can I give him, poor as I am?
The artist wonders what they can give to Jesus, acknowledging their own poverty and lack of material wealth.
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If the artist were a shepherd, they would offer a lamb as a gift to Jesus.
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Similarly, if the singer were a wise man, they would offer what they could as a gift to Jesus.
Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
The artist realizes that they may not have tangible goods to offer Jesus, but they can give their heart and devotion to him instead.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID FINDLAY, N TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind