Erica Atkins-Campbell and Trecina Atkins-Campbell were born in Inglewood,
California. The Campbell (formerly Atkins) sisters grew up as part of a large family of nine children in Inglewood, California. Their parents are Thomasina (An evangelist and choir director at the Evangelistic Church of God in Christ) and Eddie (a youth minister). Because of their proximity in age, the two singers grew up closer to one another than to any of their seven siblings. The sisters quickly entered the world of church choirs, traveling gospel shows, and some television productions. All nine Atkins children were on the Bobby Jones Gospel show on BET.
The sisters had their sights set on making music a career and enrolled at El Camino College to study voice. There they ran up against the divide between academic music studies and the popular musical world. "We had to study classical and sing arias, which was fine," Erica told the Times, "but the teachers would tell us if we sang anything else it would damage our instrument." The sisters tours with the 1995 Michael Matthews traveling gospel show Mama I'm Sorry and Sneaky. Each sister subsequently toured as a backup singer for a variety of R&B acts including Brandy.
A meeting with producer Warryn Campbell led to their song publishing deal with the giant EMI music conglomerate and a series of songs that landed on the soundtracks. They wrote "Dance" and performed it with Robin S. for the soundtrack to the 1998 film Dr. Dolittle; "Let Go, Let God" for The Prince of Egypt Inspirational, one of three soundtrack albums for the film; and songs of theirs were recorded by Yolanda Adams and 702. At the same time, Mary Mary as a musical entity took shape.
The sisters' profile in the gospel industry was raised when their songs "Time To Change" and "Yeah" were recorded by Yolanda Adams on the Mountain High... Valley Low CD. The duo was subsequently signed to Columbia Records/C2 Records and decided to perform under the name Mary Mary, honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. They were first gospel act to record for the industry giant Columbia Records since Tramaine Hawkins in the mid-1990s. Their first single, "Shackles (Praise You)" became a crossover hit, being popular with gospel, R&B, and pop audiences. It was a Top 10 R&B and Top 40 pop hit, and peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became the first gospel song in five years to crack the R&B top ten and gained wide exposure on the MTV video cable channel. The album was a huge success because it offered a younger, hipper version of gospel that audiences could relate to.
Their first album, Thankful (Mary Mary Album) in May 2000, which would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, and a second single, "I Sings". Peaking at #1 on the Gospel album chart and at #59 of the overall Top 200 chart, Thankful was certified Platinum for sales of 1 million copies in the USA. Both singles were also hits in the UK and Europe, and to this day remain popular with Christian youths in the US, Latin America, and Europe.
With their second album Incredible, the duo was able to maintain their success. The record, soon after its release, went to #1 on the Gospel chart, and was able to enter the Top 20 of the Top 200 album chart. Incredible was later certified Gold for 500,000 copies sold in the United States. The album's singles In The Morning and I Try became relatively large hits within the contemporary gospel nation.
After taking time off to have children, their third album Mary Mary appeared. It became the duo's first album to enter the Top 10 on Billboard and was later on certified Gold for sales of 500,000 copies. The first single "Heaven" containing a sample from seventies soul trio the Honey Cone's "Want Ads". Heaven made history and broke chart records as it had an unprecedented 9 week run as the #1 record on Billboard's Gospel Radio chart. The second single, "Yesterday", also became a hit, especially on the Adult R&B charts where it peaked at #10. On the R&B/Hip Hop chart, the song became their second biggest hit since "Shackles" in 2000, reaching the #53 spot so far.
On October 10, 2006`, the recording group released their most recent album inspired by Christmas songs and is called A Mary Mary Christmas.
Joy
Mary Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our Saviour has come
Let all creation sing
For the sins of the world
His kingdom has come
Prepare to greet the King
Make way for the newborn King!
This earth is awake(The earth is awake)
With trumpets of praise
(With trumpets of praise)
So come celebrate
(So come celebrate)
Our Saviour awaits
(Our Saviour awaits)
No, we won't be shaken
(No, we won't be shaken)
Our hearts burn aflame
(Our hearts burn aflame)
His love will unite us
(His love will unite us)
His love will remain
Sing… Joy to the world
Our Savior has come
Let all creation sing
For the sins of the world
His kingdom has come
Prepare to greet the King
Make way for the newborn King!
The world is rejoicing
(The world is rejoicing)
Salvation is near
(Salvation is near)
The heavens declare(The heavens declare)
Our Saviour is here
(Our Saviour is here)
The King of the nations
(The King of the nations)
My King of Love
(My King of Love)
The King of all Kings
(The King of all Kings)
The Everlasting Lord
Sing… Joy to the world
Our Savior has come
Let all creation sing
For the sins of the world
His kingdom has come
Prepare to greet the King
Make way for the newborn King!
Come, let us adore Him
(Come, let us adore Him)
Come, let us adore
(Let us adore)
Let us adore Him
Come, let us adore Him
(Come, let us adore Him)
Come, let us adore
(Let us adore)
Let us adore Him
Come, let us adore Him
(Come, let us adore Him)
Come, let us adore
(Let us adore)
Let us adore Him
Come, let us adore Him
(Come, let us adore Him)
Come, let us adore
(Let us adore)
Let us adore Him
Sing… Joy to the world
Our Saviour has come
Let all creation sing
For the sins of the world
His kingdom has come
Prepare to greet the King
Sing… Joy to the world
Our Saviour has come
Let all creation sing
For the sins of the world
His kingdom has come
Prepare to greet the King
Make way for the Risen King!
(Make way) Make way
Make way for the Risen, way for the Risen King!
(Make way) Make way
Make way for the Risen, way for the Risen King!
The song "Joy" by Mary Mary is a joyful and celebratory song that exalts the coming of the Savior into the world. The lyrics encourage all creation to sing and prepare to greet the King. The song speaks of our hearts burning with love and uniting in the love of Christ. The chorus invites us to sing joy to the world because our Savior has come, and his kingdom has come. The song suggests that we all come and adore the newborn king, make way for the king, and prepare to greet the Risen King.
The song is an uplifting and soulful gospel song that communicates a message of hope, love, and celebration of God. It reminds us to remember and honor the coming of Jesus, the love of Christ, and the unity of all in his name. The song provides a reminder that Jesus came to save us all from the sins of the world, and his kingdom has come.
Overall, "Joy" is an expressive and lovely song that inspires us to celebrate and adore the King who came to bring joy and love to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing… Joy to the world
Let us sing and express our joy for the occasion of our Savior’s arrival on earth
Our Saviour has come
The one who will save us from our sins has arrived
Let all creation sing
All elements of creation, including animals, plants, and humans, should express joy for our Savior’s arrival
For the sins of the world
Our Savior came to save us from the sins and weaknesses that affect every person on this earth
His kingdom has come
With our Savior's arrival, His kingdom has come to earth
Prepare to greet the King
Get ready to receive the coming of the King, who will rule over all of humanity
Make way for the newborn King!
Make way for the arrival of the newborn King who will bring a new beginning for all humanity
The earth is awake
The earth is fully aroused and alert in anticipation of our Savior’s arrival
(The earth is awake)
This line is a repeat of 'The earth is awake' and carries the same meaning as before
With trumpets of praise
The earth is singing praises for the arrival of our Savior, which is manifest in the form of trumpets of praise
(With trumpets of praise)
This line is a repeat of 'With trumpets of praise' and carries the same meaning as before
So come celebrate
Let us celebrate the arrival of our Savior and the joy that comes with it
(So come celebrate)
This line is a repeat of 'So come celebrate' and carries the same meaning as before
Our Saviour awaits
Our Savior is waiting for us to receive His arrival and truly begin our celebration
(Our Saviour awaits)
This line is a repeat of 'Our Saviour awaits' and carries the same meaning as before
No, we won't be shaken
Our faith is firm and steadfast, and we will not be moved by any challenges or difficulties that come our way
(No, we won't be shaken)
This line is a repeat of 'No, we won't be shaken' and carries the same meaning as before
Our hearts burn aflame
Our hearts are filled with passion and love for our Savior and the reason for His coming
(Our hearts burn aflame)
This line is a repeat of 'Our hearts burn aflame' and carries the same meaning as before
His love will unite us
Our Savior's love will bring us together, regardless of our differences or backgrounds
(His love will unite us)
This line is a repeat of 'His love will unite us' and carries the same meaning as before
His love will remain
Our Savior's love will continue to guide and inspire us, even after the initial excitement of His arrival has faded
The world is rejoicing
The world is filled with happiness and positive emotion for the arrival of our Savior
(The world is rejoicing)
This line is a repeat of 'The world is rejoicing' and carries the same meaning as before
Salvation is near
With the arrival of our Savior, salvation is close at hand and within reach for all humanity
(Salvation is near)
This line is a repeat of 'Salvation is near' and carries the same meaning as before
The heavens declare
The heavens themselves, including the stars and other celestial bodies, are also declaring their joy for our Savior’s arrival
(The heavens declare)
This line is a repeat of 'The heavens declare' and carries the same meaning as before
Our Saviour is here
Our Savior has truly arrived and is now present among us
(Our Saviour is here)
This line is a repeat of 'Our Saviour is here' and carries the same meaning as before
The King of the nations
Our Savior is the King of all nations and will rule over all people
(The King of the nations)
This line is a repeat of 'The King of the nations' and carries the same meaning as before
My King of Love
Our Savior is more than just a ruler or authority figure; He is also a figure of love and compassion
(My King of Love)
This line is a repeat of 'My King of Love' and carries the same meaning as before
The King of all Kings
Our Savior is the ultimate authority figure and ruler, above all other rulers or leaders in the world
(The King of all Kings)
This line is a repeat of 'The King of all Kings' and carries the same meaning as before
The Everlasting Lord
Our Savior is not just a temporary figure, but will last and endure throughout all eternity
Come, let us adore Him
Let us worship and pay homage to our Savior, who has come to save us
(Come, let us adore Him)
This line is a repeat of 'Come, let us adore Him' and carries the same meaning as before
Come, let us adore
This is a shorter version of the previous line, with the same meaning
(Let us adore)
This line is a repeat of 'Let us adore' and carries the same meaning as before
Let us adore Him
This statement once again emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and worshiping our Savior
(Let us adore Him)
This line is a repeat of 'Let us adore Him' and carries the same meaning as before
Make way for the Risen King!
This line is a slight variation of an earlier line, emphasizing that we should make way for our Savior who has risen from the dead
(Make way)
This interjection emphasizes the importance of this statement and helps to attune listeners to what is being spoken
Make way for the Risen, way for the Risen King!
This line is a repetition of the previous line but includes an extended version of the phrase for emphasis
(Make way)
This interjection is once again used to draw attention to the importance of the previous statement
Make way for the Risen, way for the Risen King!
This line is a repeat of the previous line, but is more emphatic and forceful in its delivery
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jonalyn Casinto, Mary Louise Ozaraga
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind