They recorded a demo (which now circulates as 'The Original Demos') and eventually an album, 'The Fatherless and the Widow' for R.E.X. Records in 1993. The record featured Chris Dodds (of Slocum's band Love Coma) on drums. Shortly after the release of the album, Slocum left Love Coma to pursue Sixpence full time. The band added Tess Wiley (guitar), J.J. Plasencio (bass) and Dale Baker (drums) for 1995's 'This Beautiful Mess'. Both albums, with featured the group's early explicit Christian contemporary music sound, were produced by Armand John Petri.
In 1997, the group signed to Steve Taylor's Squint Entertainment and prepared for the release of a self-titled album, with their work slowly began garnering attention from a wider audience. In 1999, "Kiss Me" was released as a single, propelling Sixpence into the national pop spotlight. This song was also notably used in the romantic comedy film 'She's All That'. The next year, the band recorded a cover of Britpop originators The La's "There She Goes", which became their second hit single. This recording was added to Sixpence's self-titled album, an album that received several releases, as a 13th track.
'Sixpence None the Richer', featuring a confessional, melodic sound reminiscent of contemporary power pop bands as well as the softer side of earlier classic rock groups, provided both a critical and commercial breakthrough for the band. The group, made up then of Leigh Nash with Dale Baker, Matt Slocum, Sean Kelly, and Justin Cary, had both "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes" as top 40 hits receiving lasting airplay, and the parent album took the #1 slot on Billboard's 'Top Contemporary Christian' chart. In terms of the group's religiously inspired melodies and lyrics, they had evolved to even more of a subtle, emotionally minded focus based on personal storytelling rather than proselytizing.
The band had a follow up album ready to release, but Squint Entertainment started to fall apart. Though leaving the band in limbo for several years, they still toured to an enthusiastic fan-base. Finally, Squint Entertainment was taken over by Word Records, allowing Sixpence None the Richer to record the album 'Divine Discontent', which was released in October of 2002. It differed significantly from the first pre-release version of the album that had circulated, with five songs removed and six added, but still received some positive critical reviews.
On February 26, 2004, Matt Slocum announced via a letter to CCM Magazine that the group had disbanded. That same year, Best of was released, which also collected some of the Divine Discontent outtakes, and tracks from compilations.
Matt Slocum has started a new band, the Astronaut Pushers which released their debut EP in 2005. He has also recorded and performed with the seminal ambient rock group Hammock. Leigh Nash released her debut Solo Album Blue on Blue on 15 August 2006 on her personal label, One Son Records. The first single, My Idea of Heaven, was released to USA radio the week of 14 July 2006.
In November 2007, Sixpence None the Richer reunited. The band has released a new EP, entitled My Dear Machine, with tour dates planned throughout 2008 in the States and Europe. In October 2008, they released their first Christmas album entitled, The Dawn of Grace.
Website: http://www.sixpencehq.com/
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Sixpence None the Richer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
O come, Thou Day-Spring
Come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height
In ancient times did'st give the Law
In cloud, and majesty and awe
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
The song O Come O Come Emmanuel is a traditional Christian hymn that has origins dating back to the 8th century. The English version of the song was translated by John Mason Neale in the 19th century. The lyrics serve as a reminder of the Advent season and the anticipation of the arrival of Jesus Christ.
In the first verse, the name "Emmanuel" is used, which means "God with us". The lyrics convey a message of hope and freedom from captivity. The writer is asking for God to come and rescue Israel, who are in mourning and living in exile, to bring them back home to God's kingdom. The verse also implies that the people are waiting for the coming of the Son of God, which refers to Jesus Christ.
The second verse is addressed to the "Rod of Jesse", which is a reference to Christ's lineage. The writer is asking for Christ to free his people from tyranny and the grasp of Satan. The reference to "depths of Hell" implies that the writer believes that Christ has the power to save people from the darkest situations.
The third verse calls Christ the "Day-Spring", which represents the light of God coming into the world. The writer is asking for Christ to come and dispel the darkness and bring hope, joy, and cheer into people's lives.
The fourth verse calls Christ the "Key of David", referring to Christ's role in opening the doors of heaven for God's people. The writer is asking for Christ to safely guide the way to a heavenly home, and to close the path to misery.
In the final verse, Christ is referred to as the "Lord of Might", and is celebrated as the one who brought the Law to the tribes of Israel. The writer acknowledges Christ's power and the majesty of his presence. The final line emphasizes the joy and hope that comes with Christ's arrival.
Line by Line Meaning
O come, O come, Emmanuel
Please come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
Free the captive people of Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Who feel sadness and loneliness in their exile
Until the Son of God appear
Until the Son of God arrives
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Celebrate, celebrate, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Emmanuel will come to Israel
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Come, free us like the Rod of Jesse
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
Save us from Satan's control
From depths of Hell Thy people save
Rescue your people from Hell
And give them victory o'er the grave
And give them triumph over death
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Celebrate, celebrate, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
Emmanuel will come to Israel
O come, Thou Day-Spring
Come, Day-Spring
Come and cheer
Bring happiness
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Our spirits through your arrival here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
Get rid of the sad darkness
And death's dark shadows put to flight
And defeat the darkness of death
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Celebrate, celebrate, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
Emmanuel will come to Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come
Come, Key of David
And open wide our heavenly home
Open our gates to heaven
Make safe the way that leads on high
Make the path to heaven safe
And close the path to misery
And close the way to suffering
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Celebrate, celebrate, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
Emmanuel will come to Israel
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Please come, Lord of power
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height
Who gave the Law to your tribes on Mount Sinai
In ancient times did'st give the Law
You gave the Law thousands of years ago
In cloud, and majesty and awe
Surrounded by cloud, grandeur, and amazement
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Celebrate, celebrate, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
Emmanuel will come to Israel
Contributed by Adeline P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.