Born in Montreal, Canada, Peterson began learning trumpet and piano from his father at the age of five, but by the age of seven, after a bout of tuberculosis, he concentrated on the piano. Some of the artists who influenced Peterson during the early years were Teddy Wilson, Nat "King" Cole, James P. Johnson, and the legendary Art Tatum, to whom many have tried to compare Peterson in later years. In fact, one of his first exposures to the musical talents of Art Tatum came early in his teen years when his father played an Art Tatum record to him and Peterson was so intimidated by what he heard that he didn't touch the piano for over a week.
He soon developed a reputation as a technically brilliant and melodically inventive jazz pianist, and became a regular on Canadian radio. His United States introduction was at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1949 by Norman Granz; owing to union restrictions his appearance could not be billed.
Some of his musical associates have included Lester Young, Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Herb Ellis, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Count Basie, and Stan Getz. An important step in his career was joining impresario Norman Granz's labels (especially Verve records) and Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic package, with which he was able to play with the major jazz artists of the time. Granz was also his manager for most of Peterson's career. Some cognoscenti assert that Peterson's best recordings were made for the MPS label in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies. For some years subsequently he recorded for Granz's Pablo Records after the label was founded in 1973 and in more recent years for the Telarc label.
In 1993, Peterson suffered a serious stroke that weakened his left side and sidelined him for two years. However he overcame this setback and went back to touring, recording, and composing on a limited basis. In 1997 he received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award. He died on December 24th, 2007 of kidney failure.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Oscar Peterson is a traditional Christmas carol that describes the peaceful night in Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born. The song starts with the singer remarking how still and quiet the town is, as if time has stood still. However, it is still a town full of hope and promise, as people from all over the world come to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Christ.
As the song progresses, we see how the angels are keeping watch over the town as the people are asleep. They all come together to celebrate the birth of Christ, singing praises to God the king and wishing peace to all on earth. This is a celebration that brings people from all over the world to come together in unity and hope.
The song finishes with the message that the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Bethlehem tonight. This can be interpreted in many ways, but one clear reading is that the birth of Christ is a moment when people can unite to combat their fears and celebrate their hopes. All the questions that people may have about the future are forgotten in the moment of Christ's birth, where people are brought together to celebrate love, unity, and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Despite the bustling world around it, the town of Bethlehem is asleep and at peace, lying silently and quietly.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
The sleepy town of Bethlehem is being silently watched over by the shining stars above.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
Despite the darkness of the streets, a bright and ever-lasting light - the light of God - shines through.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
All the hopes and fears of humanity throughout history - for peace, redemption and love - come together in Bethlehem tonight with the birth of Jesus Christ - the son of God.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
Jesus Christ is born of Mary, and angels gather above the town to witness his miraculous birth.
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
As the people of Bethlehem sleep, the angels watch over them with love and wonder at the holy event that is taking place.
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
The stars in the morning sky shine together and proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ to the world.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
In celebration of Jesus Christ's birth, praises are sung to God the King, and a message of peace is spread to all of humanity.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
The peaceful and sleeping town of Bethlehem is still visible in the quiet of the night.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
The stars continue to shine bright and keep watch over the town as it remains deep in its peaceful and dreamless sleep.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The night may be dark, but the light of God keeps shining bright, illuminating the streets of Bethlehem.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The town of Bethlehem is the site of the most important moment in human history - the birth of Jesus Christ - bringing together all hopes and fears for the future of humanity in one peaceful moment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Lewis H Redner, Phillip Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind