Gabriel's Message
Sting (Holiday) Lyrics
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His wings as drifted snow
His eyes as flame
"All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary
Most highly favored lady," Gloria, Gloria
"For known a blessed mother thou shalt be
All generations laud and honor thee
By seers foretold
Most highly favored maid," Gloria, Gloria
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name."
Most highly favored lady, Gloria, Gloria
In Sting's rendition of "Gabriel's Message," he tells the story of the angel Gabriel coming down from heaven to deliver Mary the news of her blessed role in bearing Emmanuel, the Son of God. The first stanza describes Gabriel's awe-inspiring appearance with wings as white as snow and eyes like flames, and he greets Mary with the salutation "All hail." The angel then tells Mary that she is the chosen one to be the mother of a blessed son who will be named Emmanuel, as prophesied by seers.
Mary, being the humble and obedient servant of God, accepts the message from Gabriel and bows down to the will of God. In the final lines, she proclaims that her soul will magnify and exalt God's holy name. The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus, "Most highly favored lady, Gloria, Gloria," which is a tribute to Mary's blessed state and her willingness to fulfill God's plan.
Overall, "Gabriel's Message" exemplifies the concept of faith and acceptance to God's will. It is a reminder that every individual has a special role in God’s plan and that we should always be ready and willing to accept and follow His commandments.
Line by Line Meaning
The angel Gabriel from heaven came
Gabriel, an angel from heaven, arrived
His wings as drifted snow
His wings were as white as snow, perhaps implying purity or holiness
His eyes as flame
His eyes were bright and fiery
"All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary
He greeted Mary as a humble or lowly maiden with respect and honor, saying "All hail"
Most highly favored lady, Gloria, Gloria
He acknowledges Mary as the most highly favored lady, and praises her with "Gloria, Gloria"
For known a blessed mother thou shalt be
He tells Mary that she will be a blessed mother
All generations laud and honor thee
He predicts that future generations will praise and honor her
Thy Son shall be Emanuel
Her son's name will be Emanuel
By seers foretold
This has been predicted by prophets
Most highly favored maid, Gloria, Gloria
He repeats that Mary is the most highly favored maid and praises her again
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
Mary humbly bowed her head in response
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
She accepts what is happening and says that she will do what God wants
"My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name."
She will praise God's holy name with her soul.
Most highly favored lady, Gloria, Gloria
He praises Mary once more as the most highly favored lady with "Gloria, Gloria"
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: EDGAR PETTMAN, SABINE BARING-GOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@evillyn7895
After 25 years of working in a toy store, this is the ONLY xmas song I still love.
@emiliaszabo1722
Sweet You are
@marnazelle0414
*advent
@wintermute8315
Yeah it's a fuckin' bop.
@yakuzabobbins
You too? Years of retail security.
@kisslena
Me too! It’s number one because it carries what I feel is the real Spirit of Christmas. The realization of The Divine Mission, cloaked in mystery and majesty. Immanuel enters a dark world to bring the Light of Salvation.
Prepare Him Room.
A Gift To Us From God.🙌🏽🕊️🎄
@suddendee
This is such a hauntingly beautiful song. They never play this on the Christmas stations ☹️
@musicandyceramist
The Christmas music on commercial radio is never religious music, which this is. In the ecclesiastical churches, this song is also sung on March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, which is the celebration of Gabriel telling Mary she was pregnant with Jesus.
@RodCornholio
Serious, mystical, ancient tone. Just my opinion. One of my favorites.
@user-lr6gc7in5c
You have my agreement, very mystical with that serious ancient tone. My favorite as well, in fact I named a son of ours Gabriel because of this very song sung by Sting.