Born in Glendale, Arizona, Robbins taught himself guitar while serving in the United States Navy during World War II, and subsequently drew fame performing in clubs in and around his hometown. In 1956, he released his first No. 1 country song, "Singing the Blues" and one year later, released two more No. 1 hits, "A White Sport Coat" and "The Story of My Life". In 1959, Robbins released his signature song, "El Paso", for which he won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. Later releases that drew critical acclaim include "Don't Worry", "Big Iron" and "Honkytonk Man", the last for which the 1982 Clint Eastwood film is named, and in which Robbins made his final appearance before death.
Over the course of his career, Robbins recorded more than 500 songs and 60 albums, and won two Grammy Awards, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was named the 1960s Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. Robbins was a commercial success in both the country and pop genres, and his songs were covered by many other famous artists, including Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead and Elvis Presley. His music continues to have an influence in pop culture today, having recently appeared in several contemporary pop culture features, including the video game Fallout: New Vegas, and the series finale of AMC's Breaking Bad.
Robbins was born in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. His mother was mostly of Paiute Indian heritage. Robbins grew up in a difficult family situation. His father took odd jobs to support the family of 10 children; however, his hard drinking led to divorce in 1937. Among his warmer memories of his childhood, Robbins recalled having listened to stories of the American West told by his maternal grandfather, Texas Bob Heckle, who was a local medicine man. At 17, Robbins left his troubled home to serve in the United States Navy as an LCT coxswain during World War II. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. To pass the time during the war, he learned to play the guitar, started writing songs, and came to love Hawaiian music.
Robbins' discography consists of 52 studio albums, 13 compilation albums, and 100 singles. In his career, Robbins charted 17 Number One singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, as well as 82 Top 40 singles.
Robbins' highest charting album is 1959's Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. It charted to #6 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album's first single, "El Paso", became a hit on both the country and pop charts, charting to Number One on the Hot Country Songs as well as the Billboard Hot 100. While that would be his only pop Number One, in 1957, "A White Sport Coat" charted to #2, and in 1961, "Don't Worry" charted to #3.
His final Top 10 single was "Honkytonk Man" from the 1982 eponymous film in which Robbins had a role. He died shortly before its release. Since his death, four posthumous studio albums have been released, but they made no impact on the charts.
Robbins married Marizona "Mari" Baldwin on September 27, 1948. They had two children, Ronny and Janet, and were married 34 years until his death.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
"Glory to the new-born King!
Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!
Hail! the heaven-born
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King !"
In the popular Christmas carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", the angels are announcing the birth of Jesus, who is called the "new-born King". The angels say "Glory to the new-born King" and call for all the nations to join together in celebrating this momentous occasion. The song suggests that with the birth of Jesus, there is now hope for peace on earth for all people, including sinners who have been reconciled with God through the birth of His son.
"Christ, by highest heaven adored" refers to Jesus as "the everlasting Lord," who has been adored by the highest heaven. This is further emphasized by the phrase "Hail, th'incarnate Deity," which means that Jesus is God who has taken on human form. The song also declares that Jesus has come to this earth as a savior and is therefore called "Emmanuel", which means God is with us. The last verse hails Jesus as the "Prince of peace" and "Son of Righteousness", who brings light and life to all with healing in his wings.
Overall, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a song of joy, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the good news that he brings. The lyrics focus on the theological significance of Jesus' birth, reiterating the importance of his role as the savior of the world. The song also highlights the universality of this message, as the angels call for all nations to join in the celebration of the birth of the new King.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The celestial messengers are singing,
"Glory to the new-born King!
Let us praise the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
May there be peace on earth and merciful kindness,
God and sinners reconciled."
God has reconciled with the sinners."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
All you nations, rise with great joy,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Join in the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
Proclaim with the angelic host,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The celestial messengers are singing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"
"Let us praise the new-born King!"
Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ, who is adored in the highest heaven,
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Christ, the eternal Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Behold him come in a later time,
Offspring of the favoured one.
Offspring of the chosen one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
See the Godhead veiled in flesh;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Hail to the incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
As a man, pleased to dwell with men,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The celestial messengers are singing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"
"Let us praise the new-born King!"
Hail! the heaven-born
Hail! The heaven-born
Prince of peace!
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Hail! The Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
He brings light and life to all,
Risen with healing in his wings
Risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by,
Gently, he lays his glory aside,
Born that man no more may die:
Born so that man need not die anymore:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Born to give them another birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The celestial messengers are singing,
"Glory to the new-born King !"
"Let us praise the new-born King!"
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Abkco Music Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Wesley, Felix Mendelssohn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A
on Johnny Fedavo
This is a fantastic, emotional song, thanks to whoever added the meaning behind the lyrics to this song. Makes it easy for some to understand a bit better!