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.
It's Christmas Time
Sounds of Blackness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The light of the world has come
Stars above him on the night that he was born
Gave wise men light it shined so bright
It's Christmas time
Time to celebrate
(Celebrate)
(Our newborn King)
It's Christmas time
Hear the joy bells ring
Hear the angels sing
(Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
It's Christmas time
A loving time of year
I'm so glad the Christmas time is here
(I can't wait for Christmas)
(I can't wait for Christmas)
Light a candle on this very special day
Give thanks to the Lord when you pray
Give a gift that's good and wonderful
The gift of love means so much more
It's Christmas time
Time to celebrate
(Celebrate)
Our newborn King
(Our newborn King)
It's Christmas time
Hear the joy bells ring
Hear the angels sing
(Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
Caroling
(Caroling)
Sharing love
(Sharing love)
Spreading joy
(All over the world)
To every girl and boy
Peace on earth
(Peace on earth)
To all men
(To all men)
May your days be merry and bright
This Christmas night
It's Christmas time
(It's Christmas time oh yes it is)
It's Christmas time
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth goodwill to men
Christ was born in Bethlehem
It's Christmas time
It's Christmas time
It's Christmas time
(Hear the angels sing)
It's Christmas time
(hallelujah Hallelujah)
It's Christmas time
It's Christmas time
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth goodwill to men
Christ was born in Bethlehem
It's Christmas time
The lyrics to Sounds of Blackness’s song “It’s Christmas Time” depict a joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The song encourages listeners to dim the lights and let the room glow with cheer as the “light of the world” has come. The stars above on the night of his birth shone bright and guided the wise men to him. The chorus repeats “It’s Christmas time” and encourages everyone to celebrate the birth of the “newborn King”. The song recognizes the joyous nature of the occasion and urges listeners to hear the bells ringing, the angels singing, and spreading love and joy all over the world.
The second verse of the song continues to urge listeners to give thanks to the Lord and to give a gift that represents the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of love. The song acknowledges that Christmas is a loving time of year and celebrates the occasion sincerely. The chorus repeats multiple times in the song, and the powerful melody is accompanied by a vibrant and joyful instrumental arrangement, mirroring the exuberance of the occasion. Throughout the lyrics, there is an underlying theme of peace on earth and goodwill to all men. The song ultimately ends with a repetition of the chorus and a recognition that Christ was born in Bethlehem.
Line by Line Meaning
Dim the lights and let the room glow with cheer
Create a festive atmosphere by lowering the lights and sparking joy
The light of the world has come
Jesus, the savior of the world, has been born
Stars above him on the night that he was born
The stars shone brightly above Jesus when he was born
Gave wise men light it shined so bright
The bright star guided the wise men to Jesus
It's Christmas time
The holiday season is here
Time to celebrate
Celebrate the birth of Jesus
(Celebrate)
Rejoice in the occasion
Our newborn King
Jesus, the new king, has been born
(Our newborn King)
Christ has arrived
Hear the joy bells ring
Listen to the ringing bells of happiness
Hear the angels sing
Hear the heavenly angels singing
(Hallelujah)
Praise the Lord
A loving time of year
A season full of love and caring
I'm so glad the Christmas time is here
Excited for the arrival of the holiday season
(I can't wait for Christmas)
Anticipating the celebration of Jesus' birth
Light a candle on this very special day
Illuminate the occasion with a candle
Give thanks to the Lord when you pray
Express gratitude to God during prayers
Give a gift that's good and wonderful
Offer a meaningful and thoughtful present
The gift of love means so much more
Love is the most valuable gift one can give
(Caroling)
Singing festive songs
(Sharing love)
Spreading affection to others
(All over the world)
Across the globe
To every girl and boy
For both children and adults
Peace on earth
May there be harmony and tranquility on earth
(Peace on earth)
Wishing for peace on earth
To all men
For everyone
(To all men)
Share with all people
May your days be merry and bright
Wishing you a joyful and radiant season
This Christmas night
The nightly celebration of Christmas
(It's Christmas time oh yes it is)
Affirming the arrival of Christmas
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Classic holiday song
Joy to the world
Rejoicing for the world
Hark the herald angels sing
Listen to the singing angels
Glory to the newborn king
Praiseworthy is the new king, Jesus
It's Christmas time
The holiday season is here
Writer(s): ann bennett-nesby, jimmy wright, jamecia bennett, rory bennett, james quenton wright
Contributed by Alexandra A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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