Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer and songw… Read Full Bio ↴Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter, born in Brooklyn, NY.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]

Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.

Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.

In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.

Anthem
Neil Diamond Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sanctus
Kyrie
Sanctus
Kyrie
Kyrie Gloria
Gloria Holy
Holy Holy
Gloria

Sanctus
Kyrie
Sanctus
Kyrie
Kyrie Gloria
Gloria Holy

Holy Holy
Gloria

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Neil Diamond's song Anthem are taken from the Catholic Mass, specifically the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) and the Kyrie (Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy). The repetition of these lines, along with the addition of Gloria, creates a sense of chanting or prayer. The use of these religious phrases in the context of the song suggests that the lyrics are meant to evoke a sense of spirituality or reverence, despite being part of a secular song.

Furthermore, the repetition of these lines could also be interpreted as a call to action, with the singer urging the listener to follow in their spiritual footsteps. The use of religious imagery in this way is not uncommon in popular music, with many artists drawing from various religious traditions to add depth and meaning to their lyrics.

Overall, the lyrics to Anthem suggest a sense of awe and wonder, and a desire to connect with something larger than oneself. By using words from the Catholic Mass, Neil Diamond is able to tap into the power of religious language and create a sense of transcendence that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.

Line by Line Meaning

Sanctus
The acknowledgement of the holiness of a divine being or presence.

Kyrie
A Greek word used to invoke God or a divine being, often used as a prayer for mercy or assistance.

Kyrie Gloria
An expression of glorification of God, asking for praise and acknowledgement of his greatness.

Gloria Holy
A declaration of the sacredness of God and his divine attributes, such as his omnipotence and everlasting nature.

Holy Holy
A repetition of the word 'holy' to emphasize the purity and righteousness of God.

Sanctus
A reaffirmation of the holiness and divine nature of God.

Kyrie
A plea for divine mercy or assistance from God.

Sanctus
An acknowledgement of the divine presence and holiness of God.

Kyrie
A supplication for divine intervention or assistance.

Kyrie Gloria
A glorification and acknowledgement of God's power and greatness.

Gloria Holy
A declaration of the sacredness and divine nature of God.