She is known for the emotional sound of her ballads. Some of her most popular songs include "Angel", "Building a Mystery", "Adia", "Possession", "Fallen", "I Will Remember You", and "World on Fire". Her best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four Juno Awards.
Her first album Touch was released in September 28, 1988, recorded in 1987-1988, Vancouver, Canada. The album received both critical and commercial success and included the hit song Vox. During this period she co-operated with Tom Ferris and Dean Russel of Moev, who discovered her as a singer. She contributed backing vocals their 1990 album Head Down and embarked on her first national concert tour as an opening act for The Grapes Of Wrath, another Tom Ferris's band.
Her second album Solace (1991) was a real breakthrough in Canada, spawning the hit singles The Path of Thorns (Terms) and Into the Fire and being certified double platinum for sales of 200,000 copies in Canada.
In 1994 her third album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy quietly became Sarah's international breakthrough, scaling the charts in a number of countries. In the United States, the album was a steady seller that stayed in the middle ranges of the pop charts for almost two years.
Sarah's fourth album Surfacing, released in 1997, brought her international success, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. Still in the spotlight from the album, Sarah launched the highly popular Lilith Fair tour, which helped launch the careers of several well-known female artists.
Her next record Afterglow came out in 2003; it contained the singles Fallen, Stupid, and World On Fire. It was her first album of new material in six years. Sarah took a few years furlough to start a family with her husband and drummer, Ashwin Sood.
Her Holiday album Wintersong came out in October 2006. The album consists of eleven new recordings of well known Christmas songs as well as seasonal favorites interpreted by Sarah. The title track Wintersong is an original work of Sarah.
McLachlan's first studio album of original material in seven years, Laws of Illusion, was released on June 15, 2010. It features 10 new songs in addition to the previously released tracks "U Want Me 2" and "Don't Give Up on Us. The first single Loving You Is Easy was released on April 23, 2010. It was followed by Forgiveness, released on June 30, 2010.
Huron Carol
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead
Before their light the stars grew dim
And wandering hunters heard the hymn
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty 'round
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria
O children of the forest free, O son of Manitou
The holy child of earth and heaven is born today for you
Come kneel before the radiant boy
Who brings you beauty peace and joy
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there
The chiefs from far before him knelt
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria
The Huron Carol, or "Jesous Ahatonhia," is a hymn written in the Huron language by Jesuit missionary Saint Jean de Brebeuf in 1642. The hymn was later translated into English and adapted into the version performed by Sarah McLachlan. McLachlan's version recounts the biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ while alluding to the Huron tradition and the connection between the natural world and the divine.
In the first stanza, the hymn describes the arrival of angel choirs in place of the migratory birds, a scene that evokes the arrival of the Christian faith in Huronia. The second stanza describes the discovery of the infant Christ in a forest lodge, wrapped in a rabbit skin; the hunters who find him hear the angel song and are invited to join the celebration. The third and final stanza addresses the Huron people directly, inviting them to come and kneel before the newborn king who brings beauty, peace, and joy.
The hymn blends Christian and Huron traditions, demonstrating the Jesuits' efforts to meet their converts where they were and adapt the gospel message to their culture. The use of Huron motifs, such as the gifts of fox and beaver pelt, emphasizes the continuity between pre-Christian and Christian Huron culture. The hymn celebrates the beauty of the natural world and its connection to the divine, thereby bridging the gulf between the spiritual and the material realms.
Line by Line Meaning
'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
It was dead winter, when not a single bird could be seen or heard.
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead
The great spirit, Gitchi Manitou, sent angelic choirs to earth.
Before their light the stars grew dim
The radiance of these angels caused all stars to fade in comparison.
And wandering hunters heard the hymn
The songs of these angels were heard by wayfaring hunters.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria
And their hymn proclaimed the birth of Jesus, the King of Kings.
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found
The child was found lying amongst broken pieces of bark.
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty 'round
The babe was wrapped in a tattered robe, made of rabbit fur.
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
As hunters approached, the angel choir sang even more loudly.
O children of the forest free, O son of Manitou
Oh, free-spirited children of the forest and son of Manitou.
The holy child of earth and heaven is born today for you
The blessed child of both earth and heaven has been born for you, today.
Come kneel before the radiant boy
So come and kneel before this wondrous, radiant baby boy.
Who brings you beauty peace and joy
For he brings you incomparable beauty, peace, and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria
As the angels sing, it is proclaimed that Jesus has been born - the King of Kings.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
Even the earliest winter moon, though beautiful, pales in comparison to the glory that surrounded this baby.
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there
For there was a ring of great splendor shining around the innocent, helpless infant.
The chiefs from far before him knelt
Even chiefs from far-off lands fell to their knees before him.
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt
And with great reverence, presents were given - foxes and beavers, among them.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria
For this child was not an ordinary child, but the King of Kings, with his birth being proclaimed by the angels.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sarah Mclachlan, Traditional, Pierre Marchand
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
deeayecee
This is so beautiful. Sarah's voice is fantastically pure and clear. Just wonderful xx
Aramanth
Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
I love this song so much... the story of the Christ child retold to the Huron tribe
written way back in the 1600s... the references are beautiful...
the child in a lodge wrapped in rabbit skin present with furs from the chiefs... 🌟
daverobertswales
A beautiful Carol! First time I've heard this.
Angela Goudman
It was written by St. Jean de Brebeuf, an early Jesuit missionary and one of the Holy Canadian Martyrs. He wrote it in Huron for the local Indigenous population he served.
rick martinez
I love these type of Christmas songs, they deliver that Passion of the Christ theme.
Carly Crippin
The best song ever!👍
Lee Pem
The best song ever ps. I'm learning this in music class
cliff sandifer
THIS and the Little Drummer boy....washte, God bless ALL peoples nations