“Patty Andrews, the lead singer of the Andrews sisters group was born in Mound, Minnesota on February 16, 1918 in a house that occupied the property where The Gillespie Center stands today.
During the 1920’s Laverne, Maxene and Patty Andrews spent their summers in Mound, living with their parents in a house across the street from the grocery store that was owned by Pete and Ed Sollie, bachelor uncles of the three girls. (Today, Green T Accounting occupies the Sollie grocery store building and The Gillespie Center is on the land where the Andrews Sisters’ house once stood.)” - From a commentary by Tom Rockvam that appeared in The Laker Newspaper during 2005.
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters. After singing with various dance bands and touring on Vaudeville, they first came to national attention with their recordings and radio broadcasts in 1937. Their music entertained Allied troops worldwide during World War II, sold war bonds, appeared in several films (including a few Abbott and Costello features), and performed for soldiers serving overseas. Their first film with Abbott and Costello, the pre-war comedy Buck Privates, introduced their best-known recording, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" which would win Best Song at the Academy Awards.
They also recorded many songs with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and other popular artists of the era. Their popularity was such that after the war they discovered that some of their records had actually been smuggled into Germany after the labels had been changed to read "Hitler's Marching Songs."
After a brief hiatus after the war, the sisters regrouped, performing in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. They broke up in 1953, with Patty's choice to go solo. Their last appearance together was in 1962 on The Dean Martin Show. Laverne, who had cancer, retired soon after; she died five years later, in 1967 at the age of 55.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxene and Patty appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxene releasing a solo album in 1986. Their most notable comeback; however, was in the Sherman Brothers' nostalgic World War II musical: "Over Here!" which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1974. The musical featured the two then living sisters (Maxene and Patty) and was written with them in mind for the leads. It launched the careers of many, now notable theater and film icons (John Travolta, Marilu Henner, Ann Reinking, et al). Ironically it was the last major hurrah of the sisters and was cut short due to a frivolous lawsuit initiated by Patty's husband to the show's producers.
Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over 60 million records. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The last of the three sisters Patty Andrews died of natural causes at her home in Northridge, California on January 30, 2013, just 17 days before her 95th birthday. The sisters were interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, close to their parents.
Christmas Candles
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see the magic of Christmas shining bright, shining bright
Like the star that led the kings and shepherds
All to a tiny stable on that night, Holy night
With the lambs and the donkeys, cows and the camels breathing low
The perfect Child of God was born so long ago
In the dancing flame of the Christmas candles
I hear the whisper of angels soft and clear, soft and clear
As they watched in the night over Baby Jesus
I know they're watching me, always near, always near
I love the Christmas gifts and the trimming of the tree
Like the candles they remind us what Christmas really means
So, tonight as we light our Christmas candles
I'll hold the love of Jesus in my heart, in my heart
And keep the flame where the spirit of Christmas starts
The Andrews Sisters's song "Christmas Candles" is a beautiful tribute to the true meaning of Christmas. The song is built on the idea of Christmas candles, which symbolize the light of Jesus Christ coming into the world. In the first verse, the warm yellow glow of the candles is described as magical and bright. The songwriter then evokes the story of Jesus' birth by referencing the star that led the kings and shepherds to the stable. The image of the animals breathing low around the newborn baby Jesus is a touching reminder of the humble circumstances of his birth.
In the second verse, the focus turns to the angels who watched over Baby Jesus. The songwriter imagines the angels whispering softly as they watched the miracle of God becoming human. The songwriter also reflects on the significance of the Christmas season, which is about more than just gifts and decorations. The candles and other symbols of the holiday are reminders of the true spirit of Christmas, which is about love and the birth of Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
In the warm yellow glow of the Christmas Candles
Amidst the radiant and tranquil illumination of Christmas Candles
I see the magic of Christmas shining bright, shining bright
I perceive the enchanting essence of Christmas gleaming brightly
Like the star that led the kings and shepherds
Similar to the celestial body that guided the monarchs and herdsmen
All to a tiny stable on that night, Holy night
Towards a minuscule shelter on that sanctified night
With the lambs and the donkeys, cows and the camels breathing low
Accompanied by low murmurs from the sheep, donkeys, cows, and camels
The perfect Child of God was born so long ago
The immaculate Son of God was born an extensive time ago
In the dancing flame of the Christmas candles
Within the flickering flame of the Christmas candles
I hear the whisper of angels soft and clear, soft and clear
I apprehend the delicate and distinct utterances of angels
As they watched in the night over Baby Jesus
While they kept watch over the Infant Jesus during the nocturnal hours
I know they're watching me, always near, always near
I am aware that they continuously surround and observe me
I love the Christmas gifts and the trimming of the tree
I hold an affection for the Christmas presents and the decoration of the tree
Like the candles they remind us what Christmas really means
Analogous to the candles, they serve as a reminder of the genuine significance of Christmas
So, tonight as we light our Christmas candles
Therefore, as we ignite our Christmas candles tonight
I'll hold the love of Jesus in my heart, in my heart
I shall cherish the affection of Jesus within my innermost being
And keep the flame where the spirit of Christmas starts
And sustain the blaze where the essence of Christmas commences
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT LEO BREEN, RAYMOND LEVEEN, WILBUR SAMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Grizzlied555
Nice.
@chriscarr7397
Thank you!!
@bittyguy5388
Lovely song!😁🎄
@kingbabe1829
Awesome tune!
@chriscarr7397
Thank you!!