The group was founded in 1969 by Russell Knighton at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices. It was in 1971 when current director Gary Hines took leadership over the ensemble, and the group name was officially changed to Sounds of Blackness.
The chief lead singer of the group was Ann Nesby until 1995 when Nesby left the group to pursue a solo career. The group continues to perform internationally. The group performed the original songs for the 1999 Disney animated short John Henry (based on the folklore character) as part of Disney's American Legends, the short was re-released in 2015 as part of the Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection. The original songs were written by Gary Hines and Billy Steele, with a score by Stephen James Taylor
The group has received three Grammy Awards, four Stellar Awards, one Emmy nomination, the International Time for Peace Award, the International Dance Music Award, five NAACP Image Award nominations and 1 NAACP Image Award.
Sounds of Blackness's "Time For Love" was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for R&B Song of the year.
Born In A Manger
Sounds Of Blackness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
The song "Away in a Manger" is a classic Christmas carol that exalts the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. The first stanza describes the birthplace of the newborn, "no crib for his bed," and how He laid down "His sweet head" in a manger. The second stanza illustrates the peacefulness of the night when Jesus was born, with the stars shining bright above Him while He lay on hay. The final stanza conveys the singer's love and devotion to the Lord, asking Him to stay by their side and bless all the children under His care, ultimately leading them to heaven to be with Him.
Line by Line Meaning
Away in a manger,
In a place meant for animals to rest,
No crib for His bed
There was no bed available for the infant,
The little Lord Jesus
Jesus, the Son of God and savior of the world,
Laid down His sweet head
Rest his sweet head to sleep,
The stars in the bright sky
The stars shining in the vast sky,
Looked down where He lay
They lowered their gaze to the baby’s resting place,
The little Lord Jesus
The newly born son of God,
Asleep on the hay
Sleeping in the bed made of hay,
The cattle are lowing
The cows made some noise,
The poor Baby wakes
The infant awakes,
But little Lord Jesus
Jesus, the savior of mankind,
No crying He makes
Remains quiet and gentle despite awakening,
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Expressing love and adoration to Jesus Christ,
Look down from the sky
Turns his gaze down from the heavens,
And stay by my side,
Remain close beside me,
'Til morning is nigh.
Until the morning sun rises,
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
Cry for closeness and companionship with Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Inviting Christ to stay close,
Close by me forever
Desiring Christ's companionship indefinitely,
And love me I pray
Asking, with earnestness, for Jesus to love,
Bless all the dear children
Imploring God to bless and protect all children,
In Thy tender care
Place them in your loving care,
And take us to heaven
Do invite humanity to your heavenly abode,
To live with Thee there
Where they will live together in divine love evermore.
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Mute Song Limited, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Gary Hines, Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HSSU Camera Club
on Black Butterfly
Black Butterfly by Sounds of Blackness
Chorus
Black Butterfly, you can do most anything your heart desires
Freedom comes with understanding who you are
Its time to reclaim your place among the stars
Spread your wings and fly
Awakening the genius has been asleep too long
A people with a beauty rich and strong
A heritage that rates second to none
Original, your qualities, don’t change them to fit in
Now that you’re on top just keep rising
Experience new life, be born again.
Chorus
What’s going on?
To not reveal unless we choose to see
Has generations lost in history
To hide our culture and identity
Keep your pride
You can’t be another color butterfly
So when you shine, let everybody see your light
Cuz you know out of sight means out of mind