Como was also very popular in the UK. His chart successes ranged from 1953 to 1974 and included two number one's, his first hit 'Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes' in 1953 and 'Magic Moments' which stayed at the top for 8 weeks in 1958. His other big UK hits were 'Delaware' ( No 3 in 1960), ' It's Impossible' (No 4 in 1971) , 'And I Love You So' (No 3 in 1973), and 'For The Good Times' (No 7 in 1973).
As well as TV and recording success, Perry Como also made a number of films, including ' Something For The Boys' and 'Doll Face' which were released during WW2.
He died in his sleep on 12 May 2001.
Some Children See Him
Perry Como Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the infant Jesus born this night
Some children see Him lily white
with tresses soft and fair
Some children see Him bronzed and brown
the Lord of heav'n to earth come down
Some children see Him bronzed and brown
Some children see Him almond-eyed
This Saviour whom we kneel beside
Some children see Him almond-eyed
With skin of yellow hue!
Some children see Him dark as they
Sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray
Some children see Him dark as they
And, ah! they love Him so!
The children in each different place
Will see the Baby Jesus' face
Like theirs but bright with heav'nly grace
And filled with holy light!
O lay aside each earthly thing
and with thy heart as offering
Come worship now the infant King
'tis love that's born tonight!
. . . 'tis love that's born tonight!
Words and Music by Wihla Hutson
and Alfred Burt
The lyrics to Perry Como's song "Some Children See Him" explore the idea of how different children envision Jesus Christ after his birth. The song highlights the diverse ways that children across the world and throughout history may have imagined the physical appearance of the Savior. The first two verses describe two common notions where some children see Jesus as "lily white with tresses soft and fair" while other children see him "bronzed and brown with dark and heavy hair". The third verse introduces another perspective where Jesus is imagined as "almond-eyed with skin of yellow hue" while the fourth verse, which follows the same structure as the first two, connects with children who, like most other races, see Jesus as being a person of color with black or brown skin.
However, the fifth and final verse serves to unite all of these different depictions of Jesus. Despite the vast differences in physical descriptions, the central core message of the song is that all children, regardless of their race or ethnicity, will see the Jesus that has special significance in their own culture, and that the love that he represents shines through all people. The song's general message is one of peace and love that brings people together despite differences in appearance, language or religion.
The lyrics to the "Some Children See Him" may also be interpreted as a reflection on the universality of Jesus Christ's message of love, forgiveness, and compassion. The song suggests that Christ comes to all people in a way that is accessible and comfortable for them, and that his message of love and compassion is so powerful that it transcends differences in culture, language, and race.
Line by Line Meaning
Some children see Him lily white
For some children, the infant Jesus appears white as a lily flower on this holy night.
the infant Jesus born this night
This night marks the birth of the infant Jesus, whom we worship and revere.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown
Some children perceive Jesus as a brown, bronze-skinned Lord of Heaven who has descended to earth.
with dark and heavy hair
These children see Jesus with hair that is thick and dark, completing His regal and holy appearance.
This Saviour whom we kneel beside
The children kneel beside this Savior with reverence and awe, recognizing the importance of the moment and the magnitude of His divinity.
With skin of yellow hue!
For other children, Jesus appears with yellow-toned skin, evoking feelings of warmth and light.
Sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray
Jesus is the cherished Son of Mary, whose image is invoked through prayer by these children who see Him as dark as they are.
And, ah! they love Him so!
The love that the children feel for Jesus transcends appearances, and they continue to see Him as one of their own - regardless of complexion.
Will see the Baby Jesus' face
Children across the world gaze at the divine countenance of the Baby Jesus, whose image and spirit permeate in different ways across cultures and continents.
Like theirs but bright with heavenly grace
Though the faces of the Baby Jesus might be different across cultures, they are all enlightened with the heavenly grace that embodies all things divine.
O lay aside each earthly thing
To worship and revere Jesus, we must put aside our mundane concerns and focus on the divine and holy event that is unfolding before us.
and with thy heart as offering
Our hearts are the most precious offering that we can give to Jesus on this night, expressing our love and devotion to Him with purity of intention.
Come worship now the infant King
The moment of Jesus' birth is not only a time of contemplation and reverence, but also an opportunity to offer our deepest devotion to the newborn King.
'tis love that's born tonight!
At the heart of this sacred moment is the purest and most powerful emotion that we can feel - love - which is embodied in the birth of the infant Jesus.
Contributed by Callie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.