"I sing God's music because it makes me feel free," Jackson once said about her choice of gospel, adding, "It gives me hope. With the blues, when you finish, you still have the blues."
Jackson grew up in the "Black Pearl" section of the Carrollton neighbourhood of uptown New Orleans, Louisiana, and began singing in a Baptist church. In 1927 she moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she sang with The Johnson Brothers, one of the earliest professional gospel groups.
The Johnson Brothers broke up in the mid-1930s, and Jackson began her solo career, recording for Decca in 1937. The result, "God's Gonna Separate the Wheat from the Tares", was only a moderate success, but Jackson became a popular concert draw. She didn't record again untill 1946, when she signed with Apollo Records, releasing several singles that are now highly regarded, though sales were sluggish at the time. "Move On up a Little Higher" (1948) became a huge success, however, and stores could not stock enough of it to meet demand. Jackson rocketed to fame in the U.S. and soon afterwards in Europe. "I Can Put My Trust in Jesus" won a prize from the French Academy, and "Silent Night" was one of the best-selling singles in the history of Norway. She began a radio series on CBS and signed to Columbia Records in 1954. With her mainstream success came an inevitable backlash from gospel purists who felt she had watered down her sound for popular accessibility.
Jackson's career in the late 1950s and early 1960s continued to rise when she recorded with Percy Faith, and performed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and the inauguration of John F. Kennedy. She also sang at the funeral of her friend Martin Luther King, Jr. The late 1960s saw a downturn in her popular success. She ended her career with a concert in Germany in 1971; when she returned, she made one of her final television appearances on The Flip Wilson Show.
Jackson died in Chicago on 27th January 1972 of heart failure and diabetes at the age of sixty. She was buried in Providence Memorial Park in Metairie, Louisiana. She was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1978.
Silent Night Holy Night
Mahalia Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Strains glorious from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the savior is born
Christ the savior is born
Christ the savior is born
Christ the savior is born
Mahalia Jackson's rendition of "Silent Night" is a heartwarming and calming Christmas hymn that is perfect for setting the mood for the season. The song begins by describing a peaceful and tranquil night where everything is calm and bright. The focus is then directed towards the Virgin Mary and her child, the holy infant, who are lying still and quiet in a state of heavenly peace. The song's opening verses depict an idyllic and picturesque scene that is reflective of the serenity of the Christmas season.
However, the mood changes slightly in the second verse as the focus shifts to the shepherds who have come to witness the birth of Christ. They are terrified by the sight of the newborn baby and the heavenly host that appears in the sky singing alleluia. The presence of Christ, the savior, is celebrated and the song ends with a reminder that he has been born. The lyrics of "Silent Night" encourage listeners to take a moment to reflect on the peace and joy of the season while also acknowledging the power and importance of the birth of Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent night, holy night
Everything is still and peaceful on this holy night
All is calm, all is bright
There is a sense of tranquility and radiance all around us
'Round yon virgin mother and child
The virgin mother and her child are surrounded by a serene aura
Holy infant so tender and mild
The infant is pure and delicate, emanating a divine presence
Sleep in heavenly peace
May the mother and child rest peacefully in the arms of heaven
Shepherds quake at the sight
The sight of angels fills the shepherds with awe and wonder
Strains glorious from heaven afar
There is a wonderful melody emanating from the heavens
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Angels are singing praises to the Lord
Christ the savior is born
The Messiah has been born, bringing salvation to all
Christ the savior is born
The birth of Jesus Christ is a momentous occasion
Lyrics © DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Franz Xaver Gruber, Joseph Mohr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tambrosia
Thank you for sharing
I still say Mrs J was one of the very best singers, white, black, asian.
I heard her when I was like 4 or 5 and her voice brought me to tears.
I have not hear her singing for a long time. and I can tell you this 70+ old guy has tears running down his face.
These were the great singers and actors and no one today could even touch their style and heart and emotion they put into their work.
ANd to think they got paid peanuts compared to the trash actors/singers out here today.
RIP sweet soul and now you sing in Front of HIM to SRO all the time.
Merry Christmas Folks and my best wish for a safe peaceful 2024.
Pax+
@sledge1960
She now sings with the angels, if there's even one that sounds like her, what a concert we who know the Lord have in store. Praise God Almighty!
@jmerrell1933
To watch and hear her sing you can tell that she gave every bit of her heart and soul to Jesus and God. she was so grateful and loved and respected them so much. She sang like she was singing to God and Jesus. So talented.
@elsanevis1151
no words. Just no words. Blessed to have seen this. My eyes are closed, 'feeling' her connection to the Divine, and beyond. Amazing.
@marcwilluweit2558
who wants to tell me that there can be a greater thing on earth than to listen to this woman sing?
@tambrosia
Thank you for sharing
I still say Mrs J was one of the very best singers, white, black, asian.
I heard her when I was like 4 or 5 and her voice brought me to tears.
I have not hear her singing for a long time. and I can tell you this 70+ old guy has tears running down his face.
These were the great singers and actors and no one today could even touch their style and heart and emotion they put into their work.
ANd to think they got paid peanuts compared to the trash actors/singers out here today.
RIP sweet soul and now you sing in Front of HIM to SRO all the time.
Merry Christmas Folks and my best wish for a safe peaceful 2024.
Pax+
@claritywithkj2509
I get chills, I’m getting emotional... she’s a revelation
@CBest-wx6id
It's very obvious that she is singing this to Christ not the people in the audience. God bless her soul!
@teacher13531
Absolutely ❤️🙌
@magnusydhag035
C. Best Never thought of it, but you’re absolutely right ❤️
@magnusydhag035
teacher13531 Funny you answered one year later, just as I did 😃