Colvin's formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age of 10. Her first public concert was at age 15 at the University of Illinois campus. Colvin cites Joni Mitchell as a primary influence on her music, and her initial performances closely mirrored Mitchell's inflections and guitar tunings.
Colvin began working in the music scene in earnest in the late 1970s, first in Austin, Texas and then nationally. She met music partner John Leventhal during this time; Leventhal would go on to be Colvin's producer on several albums. Colvin often lends her talent to contemporaries in the music business - she can be heard singing the backing vocals on the Suzanne Vega hit, "Luka" from 1987. Vega returned the favor, singing backup on Colvin's, "Diamond In The Rough", from her debut album, "Steady On". Colvin, again can be heard singing backing vocals on Mary Chapin Carpenter's, "The Hard Way" and "Come On Come On" and Mary Chapin returns the favor on Colvin's, "Climb On (A Back That's Strong)", from Colvin's "Fat City" album.
Colvin's first several albums were met with critical acclaim, but did not sell in substantial numbers. After several albums of original work, Colvin released "Cover Girl", a collection of cover songs, but the work was a departure for her and was not well received.
Colvin experienced breakthrough success with "A Few Small Repairs" in October of 1996. The single "Sunny Came Home" reached the US Top Ten, and won Grammy Awards for Song and Record of the Year. She has released several subsequent albums that were nominated for Grammys, and has also released a greatest-hits album and a collection of Christmas music.
A new album from Colvin, entitled "These Four Walls", was released on September 12, 2006.
She was the guest vocal artist on the Lisa Loeb single "Falling in Love" as well as appearing at various Lilith Fair music festivals. She also has been featured on the popular live music show Austin City Limits and played at the 2003 Austin City Limits Music Festival. She also appeared in a tribute to her idol Joni Mitchell in 2001 that was broadcast on the cable network TNT.
She has made two guest appearances on The Simpsons as Rachel Jordan, lead singer for a Christian rock band. She first appears in "Alone Again, Natura-diddly," where Rachel wins Ned Flanders' heart after the untimely death of his wife, Maude. Later, in the episode "I'm Going to Praiseland," Ned dates Rachel, only to scare her off when he tries to turn her into a version of Maude.
Colvin lives with her daughter, Caledonia, and husband, Mario Erwin in Austin, Texas, and still participates in the Austin music scene.
Little Road To Bethlehem
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sit up some
The lambs were coming homeward one by one
I heard a sheepbell softly calling them
Along the little road to Bethlehem
Beside an open door as I drew night
I heard sweet Mary
She sang about the lambs at close of day
And rocked her tiny boy among the hay
Across the air the silver sheepbell rang
The lambs are coming home sweet Mary sang
You're a star of gold
You're a star of gold
Is shining in the sky
So sleep, my little baby
Go lullaby
As I walk down the road
I sit up some
The lambs were coming homeward one by one
I heard a sheepbell softly calling them
Along the little road to Bethlehem
The lyrics to Shawn Colvin's song "Little Road To Bethlehem" evoke a sense of peace and innocence, drawing upon the imagery of a journey down a quiet road towards the holy city of Bethlehem. The singer sets the scene as they walk down the road, observing the lambs returning home one by one. The sound of a sheepbell gently guides them along this path.
The lyrics then shift to a poignant moment as the singer approaches an open door and overhears Mary singing a lullaby. The song speaks of the lambs at the end of the day and her tenderly rocking her baby among the hay. This imagery is reminiscent of the stable where Jesus was born, emphasizing the humble surroundings of his birth.
The silver sheepbell continues to ring in the air, symbolizing the safe return of the lambs to their fold. Mary's song acknowledges the presence of a shining star in the sky, perhaps referring to the Star of Bethlehem that guided the wise men to the birthplace of Jesus. It is a precious moment as she sings her baby to sleep, her voice carrying a sense of comfort and love.
Overall, these lyrics paint a gentle and serene picture of the journey to Bethlehem, capturing the essence of a peaceful night, the innocence of a mother and child, and the symbolism of the star that heralds the arrival of a divine presence.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk down the road
While I journey along the path of life
I sit up some
I pay attention and become alert
The lambs were coming homeward one by one
The innocent and pure souls were returning to their safe haven individually
I heard a sheepbell softly calling them
I could hear a gentle sound inviting them back home
Along the little road to Bethlehem
Guiding them along the humble path towards a place of birth and hope
Beside an open door as I drew night
Near an accessible entrance as dusk approached
I heard sweet Mary
I listened to the tender voice of Mary
A lullaby
A soothing melody to calm and comfort
She sang about the lambs at close of day
She sang about the innocent souls as daylight faded
And rocked her tiny boy among the hay
And gently swayed her small son amidst the humble straw
Across the air the silver sheepbell rang
Through the atmosphere, the delicate sound of the sheepbell echoed
The lambs are coming home sweet Mary sang
Mary joyfully proclaimed that the innocent souls were returning home
You're a star of gold
You possess a radiant, precious light
You're a star of gold
You possess a radiant, precious light
Is shining in the sky
Which illuminates the heavens above
So sleep, my little baby
Therefore, rest peacefully, my beloved child
Go lullaby
Close your eyes and let the comforting melodies lull you to sleep
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MARGARET ROSE, MICHAEL HEAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thang Leminh
on I Don't Know Why
....but I do !