The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Silver Bells
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling like Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home
With their treasures
Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all
The bustle you hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
The Ames Brothers' Silver Bells is a classic Christmas song that captures the festive season's essence. The song's lyrics describe a vivid scene of holiday cheer, with city sidewalks and streets decorated with holiday-themed lights and colors. The lyrics create a setting bustling with activity, where people are out and about finishing up their Christmas shopping and children are laughing, joyfully awaiting the arrival of Christmas.
The song's focus is primarily on the silver bells that chime, adding to the cheerful atmosphere of the city. The chorus, with its catchy melody and lyrics, references the ringing bells that can be heard on every street corner. The chorus repeatedly reminds the listener of the approaching holiday, "It's Christmas time in the city, Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, Soon it will be Christmas day."
Overall, The Ames Brothers' Silver Bells paints a picture of the bustling excitement that surrounds the holiday, with the ringing of the silver bells punctuating the cheer of the season, a fitting addition to any holiday playlist.
Line by Line Meaning
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
The city streets are crowded and bustling with energy
Dressed in holiday style
Decorated with festive decorations and lights
In the air
There is a noticeable atmosphere or mood
There's a feeling like Christmas
The festive spirit of Christmas is present and palpable
Children laughing, people passing
The scene is full of joyous activity and movement
Meeting smile after smile
People are happily interacting with one another
And on every street corner you hear
The sound of
Silver bells, silver bells
The distinct chime of silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
The holiday season has arrived in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
The sound of the bells ringing is all around
Soon it will be Christmas day
The holiday is approaching quickly
Strings of street lights
Rows of street lamps
Even stop lights
Even the traffic lights are festively decorated
Blink a bright red and green
The colors of the holiday are on display
As the shoppers rush home
People are hurrying to finish their holiday shopping
With their treasures
With the items they have purchased for loved ones
Hear the snow crunch
The sound of footsteps on snow-covered streets can be heard
See the kids bunch
Children are gathering together to play in the snow
This is Santa's big scene
This is the ideal Christmas setting that is often associated with stories about Santa Claus
And above all
Despite all of this activity and noise,
The bustle you hear
The sound of busy crowds and commotion
Silver bells, silver bells
The bells continue to ring
It's Christmas time in the city
The holiday season is still in full swing
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
The sound of the bells fills the air
Soon it will be Christmas day
The holiday is fast approaching
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind