Clooney's first recordings, in May 1946, were for Columbia Records. She sang with Tony Pastor's big band. Clooney continued working with the Pastor band until 1949, making her last recording with the band in May of that year and her first as a solo artist a month later, still for Columbia.
She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit Come On-a My House written by William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian (better known as David Seville, the father figure of Alvin and the Chipmunks), which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me" (a cover version of the Italian song Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina by Alberto Rabagliati), "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There" and "This Ole House", although she had success as a jazz vocalist. Clooney's career languished in the 1960s, partly due to problems related to depression and drug addiction, but revived in 1977, when her White Christmas co-star Bing Crosby asked her to appear with him at a show marking his 50th anniversary in show business. She continued recording until her death in 2002. She was the aunt of Academy Award winning actor George Clooney; mother-in-law of singer Debby Boone; and sister to former television personality Nick Clooney. She was the ex-wife of Jose Ferrer; mother of actor Miguel Ferrer
Clooney was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of 2001. Around this time, she gave her last concert, in Hawaii, backed by the Honolulu Symphony Pops; her last song was "God Bless America".
The First Noel
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
In fields where they lay
A-keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
The song The First Noel is a traditional Christmas carol that narrates the story of the shepherds’ encounter with the angel announcing the birth of the Savior. The carol relays that the first Noel was delivered to poor shepherds that were watching their sheep in the fields. The angel appeared to them and announced that the Messiah had been born. The shepherds responded to this message by going to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus.
The first verse of the song describes the setting of the event. It is believed that it was winter time, and the shepherds were out keeping watch of their sheep in fields located outside the town of Bethlehem. In this particular night that the shepherds were gathered, an angel appeared to them announcing the birth of the Savior. This message brought them great joy and hope, so they went to Bethlehem to witness Jesus’ birth.
All through the song, the chorus ‘Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel’ is repeated. Noel is derived from the French word ‘Noelle,’ which means birthday, especially the birthday of Jesus Christ. This chorus serves as a reminder that the news of Jesus’ birth is good news for all people, and it’s a reason to celebrate the birth of the King of Israel.
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel
The initial announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ
The angel did say
The message was delivered by an angel
Was to certain poor shepherds
The message was delivered to particular lowly shepherds
In fields as they lay
The shepherds were resting in nearby fields
In fields where they lay
The place where the shepherds were resting
A-keeping their sheep
Taking care of their flock of sheep
On a cold winter's night
During a chilly winter evening
That was so deep
The winter night was especially dark and still
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
A festive exclamation often associated with Christmas carols
Born is the King of Israel
The message delivered by the angel is that Jesus Christ, the King of Israel, has been born
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Calello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind