The members of The Band first worked together as The Hawks, the backing band of rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins from 1959 until 1963. Afterwards, Bob Dylan recruited the quintet for his history-making 1965/1966 world tour and they joined him on the informal recordings that became the acclaimed Basement Tapes.
Dubbed "The Band" by their peers, the group left the comfort of their communal home in Saugerties, NY to begin recording as a group unto themselves. The Band recorded two of the most important albums of the late 1960s: their 1968 debut Music from Big Pink (featuring the hit single "The Weight") and 1969's The Band. These critically praised albums helped conceive country rock as something more than a genre, but rather as a celebration of "Americana." As such, throughout their career they would repopularize traditional American musical forms during the psychedelic era. The Band dissolved in 1976; Martin Scorcese's landmark concert film "The Last Waltz" documented their final performance. They reformed in 1983 without founding guitarist and main songwriter Robbie Robertson.
Although always more popular with music journalists and fellow musicians than the general public, The Band has remained an admired and influential group. They have been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Their music fused many elements: primarily old country music and early rock and roll, though the rhythm section often had a bouncy, funky punch reminiscent of Stax or Motown, and Robertson cites Curtis Mayfield and the Staple Singers as major influences. At its best, however, The Band's music was an organic synthesis of many musical genres which became more than the sum of its parts. The group's songwriting was also remarkable as, unlike much earlier rock and roll, and following upon the example set previously by The Byrds, very few of their early compositions were based on conventional blues and doo-wop chord changes.
The Band comprised Robbie Robertson (guitar); Richard Manuel (piano, harmonica, drums, saxophone); Garth Hudson (organ, piano, clavinet, accordion, synthesizer, saxophone); Rick Danko (bass guitar, violin, trombone); and Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, bass guitar) Excepting Robertson, all were multi-instrumentalists; each person's primary instrument is listed first. There was little instrument-switching when they played live, but when recording, the musicians could offer all manner of subtle aural colors and textures to enhance songs. Hudson in particular was able to coax an impressive range of timbres from his Lowrey electronic organ; on the choruses of "Tears of Rage", for example, it sounds startlingly like a mellotron. Helm's drumming was rarely flashy, but he was often praised for his subtlety and funkiness. Critic Jon Carroll famously declared that Helm was "the only drummer who can make you cry," while prolific session drummer Jim Keltner admits to appropriating several of Helm's techniques.
Singers Manuel, Danko, and Helm each brought a distinctive voice to The Band: Helm's gritty, southern voice had more than a hint of country, Danko sang in a soaring, unfettered tenor, and Manuel alternated between fragile falsetto and a wounded baritone. The singers regularly blended in unorthodox, but uncommonly effective harmonies. Though the singing was more or less evenly shared between the three men, both Danko and Helm have stated that they saw Manuel as the Band's "lead" singer.
Robertson was the unit's chief songwriter (though he sang lead vocals on only three or four songs in The Band's career). This role, and Robertson's resulting claim to the copyright of most of the compositions, would become a point of much antipathy between the group's members, especially between Robertson and Helm.
Producer John Simon is cited as a "sixth member" of The Band for producing and playing on Music from Big Pink, co-producing and playing on The Band, and playing on other songs up through The Band's 1993 reunion album Jericho.
On 10 December 1999 is when Rick Danko died in his sleep at age 56. He had been a long-time drug user. In 1997 he had been found guilty of trying to smuggle heroin into Japan. He told the presiding judge that he had begun using the drug (together with prescription morphine) to fight life-long pain resulting from a 1968 auto accident. No drugs were found in his system at the time of his death. Following the death of Rick Danko, The Band broke up for good.
Levon Helm died on 19 April 2012 from complications of throat cancer.
Christmas Must Be Tonight
The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, the prince of peace
The wheels start turning, torches start burning
And behold, wise men journey from the east
How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
A shepherd on the hillside, where over my flock I abide
On a cold winter night, a band of Angels sing
In a dream, I heard a voice say, "Fear not, come rejoice
It's the end of the beginning, praise the new born King"
How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Saw it with my own eyes, written up in the skies
But why a simple herdsmen such as I?
And then it came to pass, he was born at last
Right below the star that shines on high
How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight
The Band's "Christmas Must Be Tonight" is a beautiful and poetic song that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The opening verse describes the scene in the stable, where the baby Jesus lies sleeping in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. It invites the listener to come and see the little stranger who is the prince of peace. The verse also speaks of the journey of the wise men from the east, who are following a star to bring gifts to the newborn king. The second verse introduces a shepherd on the hillside, who is keeping watch over his flock on a cold winter night. He hears a band of angels sing and interprets this as a sign of the birth of the savior. A voice tells him to fear not and come rejoice, for it is the end of the beginning and the new born king has arrived.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy," emphasizing the profound impact that the birth of Jesus has had on the world. The reference to Jesus as the son of a carpenter and Mary as the one who carried the light underscores the humble and yet miraculous nature of the birth. The chorus also declares that it must be Christmas tonight, emphasizing the sacredness and significance of this moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Come down to the manger, see the little stranger
Visit the manger to witness the arrival of the newborn, unfamiliar divine child.
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, the prince of peace
The child is swaddled peacefully, and is the inheritor of a legacy of peace.
The wheels start turning, torches start burning
Activity and excitement begin as the birth of the child is revealed.
And behold, wise men journey from the east
Wise men make their way from the east, led by the auspicious star of the child's birth.
How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
The arrival of the newborn creates immense happiness and celebration among the people.
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
The newborn child is Jesus, born to the virgin Mary and earthly father Joseph, a carpenter.
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
This momentous event verifies that it is indeed the holy day of Christmas, and the time of the child's birth.
A shepherd on the hillside, where over my flock I abide
A shepherd takes care of his flock on the hillside, watching over them dutifully.
On a cold winter night, a band of Angels sing
On the chilly night of Christ's birth, a group of angels sing in celebration.
In a dream, I heard a voice say, "Fear not, come rejoice
The shepherd is assured by a voice in his dream to not be afraid, but to join in the rejoicing.
It's the end of the beginning, praise the new born King"
The start of a new order is heralded, beginning with honoring the newly born, divine king.
Saw it with my own eyes, written up in the skies
The shepherd witnesses the event firsthand, confirmed by the text written in the stars.
But why a simple herdsmen such as I?
The shepherd wonders why he, a mere herdsman, is privy to this momentous event.
And then it came to pass, he was born at last
Finally, the long-awaited birth of Christ came to fruition.
Right below the star that shines on high
Christ was born directly under the brightest star in the sky.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robbie Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Genjo_N_Mojave
Lyrics~
Come down to the manger, see the little stranger
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, the prince of peace
The wheels start turning, torches start burning
And behold, wise men journey from the east
How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
A shepherd on the hillside, where over my flock I abide
On a cold winter night, a band of Angels sing
In a dream, I heard a voice say, "Fear not, come rejoice
It's the end of the beginning, praise the new born King"
How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Saw it with my own eyes, written up in the skies
But why a simple herdsmen such as I?
And then it came to pass, he was born at last
Right below the star that shines on high
How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight, be tonight
Be tonight
@arthurshepherd8757
Erin’s Kiss - for Shawn Colvin and Angel of Ireland Van Morrison with love and eternal fidelity to Blessed Eternal Ireland
Posted in Uncategorized on June 30, 2010 by blackshepherd
Erin’s Kiss - For Goddess of Ireland Caledonia (Jean-Marie) Erwin Shepherd Colvin
For - Great 1st Angel of Christ and Shawn Colvin Archangel Robbie Robertson
We worship and adore you forever dear Robbie. You have enlightened and delighted us with your brilliant songs for so long.
We would not be here now without the guidance and inspiration of your cosmic mystical magical songs. Kisses
Quantum kisses we float to you from the depths of 'Our' sacred bleeding aching ancient soul within which you forever
are welcome. Kisses
Shawn Callie Arthur
I kissed Erin last night
you know
the Goddess of Ireland
blessings she did bestow
I know it’s hard to believe
I kissed her full on the lips three times
and I did receive
a fourth for good luck
for infinite rhymes
courage and pluck
she led me to the place
with whispers through the ether
for to endow me with a garland of grace
being destined to love her
and to know well her face
all I did was to inter
the trash left around her shrine
in America
she could not alone be mine
she made it clear
but she would make my words shine
many soldiers and poets have her ear
Lyre the angel was to her left
his foot was extended
for those of faith and hope not bereft
and so he lifted me above the dead
on her right was a soldier keeping watch
the angel let me kneel on his knee
while I reached across
all rein was set free
with the sign of the cross
and a kiss from her lips
during the second kiss
she granted eternal cosmic trips
to know my twin soul and infinite bliss
she said I’d be an Irish rover
sacred love came with a third kiss
then I kissed her all over
she promised me a ring
the fourth was for good fortunes
endless words
protection and tunes
to shatter the proudest swords
she asked me to wait
while she got undressed
Erin adjusted my fate
granting me in the sight of the blessed
soon with a date
my soul was caressed
she said she’d meet me in the flesh soon
she makes love to patriots soldiers and poets
always under a full moon
I’d be marked and my lover would know it
she would appear as an angel
known as Shawn (Colvin)
whose duty would be to tell
where to wait for the new dawn
this angel would sing me into a trance
and when I awoke she would ask me to dance
safe in heaven no more to roam
my immortal beloved
with silver tears she would welcome me home
end
With love for Chapin and Shawn. Peace
Special thanks and eternal love to Paul McCartney for loving us all so well. Peace
Special thanks to Sting for a lifetime of love and inspiration to the world. Peace
Special thanks to Bob Dylan for representing Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so well. Peace
Special thanks to the very great exalted 1st Angel of Bob Dylan Tom Petty for great courage under fire. Peace
Special thanks to Chapin and James for loving Shawn and the world so beautifully. Peace
Special thanks to God and Goddess of Americana Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams for loving and serving Shawn so long so well and so beautifully. Kisses
Special thanks to God and Goddess of Love Bud and Julie Miller for their deep beauty grace and Divine wisdom. Kisses
Extra special Love and kisses for the very great vital Goddess Suzanne Vega for her deep beauty grace wisdom and for loving Shawn so well at the critical time. We worship you forever. Kisses
Very special Love and affection for the very great and deeply beautiful wise and good Goddess of NYC Lucy Kaplansky for loving Shawn and the world so beautifully and deeply (I want the Triumph T shirt or deal's off) Kisses
Very special thanks to the immortal Goddess King of Orion My Everything Shawn Colvin for asking "why" so beautifully. Peace
Very special thanks to the great 1st Angel of Christ Jackson Browne for deep wisdom grace and beauty and for loving Shawn and the world so well for so long. Peace
Very special thanks to Goddess of Canada Sarah MacLachlan for her deep beautiful love and Divine grace. Kisses
Very special thanks to the great Jacqueline Suzann for inspiring us all with her genius and deep beauty. Peace
Very special thanks to 1st Angel of Christ Lorna Byrne for sharing her Divine wisdom and grace with us and the world. Kisses
Very special thanks to Goddess Jonatha Brooke for Divine inspiration and for sharing Our Journey Kisses
Very special thanks to Goddess of Ireland Caledonia Shepherd Colvin for her beauty grace and Divine wisdom. Kisses
Very special thanks to Goddess of Everything Joni Mitchell for inspiring us all to dream and love. Kisses
Very special thanks to exalted 1st Angel of Christ David Crosby for watching over us all. Peace
Extra special love to Field Commander Leonard Cohen for Divine inspiration grace and wisdom. Still in Command. Peace
Most special thanks to Our Lord Savior Brother Friend and Great Redeemer Jesus Christ Almighty for Everything Peace
Very special thanks to the great Angel of Austin Texas the very beautiful Mario Erwin for blessing Our eternal Love. Peace
Extra special love gratitude and affection for the Divine 'One' of Texas the very Great 1st Angel of Christ Willie Nelson for inspiring loving and protecting us all so well so beautifully and deeply for so so long. We worship You Willie. Kisses
Very special Love and eternal affection and grace for my dear friend and 1st Angel of Christ and Bob Dylan Tim Gillen for being my companion and guide. We all worship You Tim. Peace
Very special Love and affection for the great Goddess of Maine 'Cosmic Annie And The Intergalactic Rainmakers' for blessing Maine and all of us with her deep beauty grace wisdom and badass vocals and for all of the 'Rainmakers' and their blessed families and friends. Peace Love Bliss Nirvana Forever for all of you you badass Angels of Christ and Blessed Eternal Maine. You do us all proud. Tim and Arthur and Shawn. Quantum kisses be blow to you All from all quadrants of the Divine Multiverse. Peace
Special thanks to the great and very beautiful and very sexy Virginia Suddath Phd 1st Angel of Christ and 'Our' very dear friend and Director of Chinese Affairs/Relations. With deep gratitude and love Virginia my dear. Kisses. Arthur/Callie/Shawn. Peace
Eternal Love and Gratitude to the Great Great Great 1st Angel of Christ and #1 American Hero The Very beautiful graceful and dignified Martin Luther King Jr, all His eternally blessed family friends and Great American Family of Black America. 'Our' dearest friend ally and comrade in the Eternal Art of Spiritual Warfare. Quantum kisses we 'All' blow to You through the great Eternal Soul of Blessed America. Peace from the 'Ebony House' (formerly the 'White House') now occupied by the very Great 1st Angel of Christ the Greatest President of All time. The eternal and infinitely blessed Barack Obama All family friends and comrades in Spiritual Warfare. Kisses Shawn/Callie/Arthur and a grateful nation. Peace
For all black children to take effect immediately: 1 pair of new sneakers of their choice, 3 new outfits, free education and one white tutor (as available) and free sailing lessons in every American body of water. To white America: whenever you see a black kid at any level of need give him/her $100, ask them what they need and provide it and you will be reimbursed 10 fold by 'Our' Lord and Savior the Great the 'One' and the 'Only' Jesus Christ Almighty Forever in Peace Love Bliss Nirvana Amen
Very special thanks to the glorious 'Doobie Brothers' all 1st Angels of Christ with full package for service to humanity. We worship you all and your blessed families and friends. Peace Love Bliss Nirvana Forever for all of You. Peace
@KathleenMcWhorter
I’m 77yrs old and had never heard the best christmas song of all time. It’s sooo refreshing after all the same old, same old stuff . Robbie and the boys did it again.
@petesmith5092
Yes they did.. very great band. Classically trained musicians and very versatile individuals
@alekospapadopoulos3455
I love you guys. Wherever you are, I know you will be singing as angels
@LEHROY
RIP Robbie. Robbie left us with a lot of great songs. Not many know about this one...a song about the real reason for this holiday...one of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever recorded.
@karenreardon5398
What a great Christmas song! How on earth did I ever miss this one?? I definitely will be listening to this one every year. Thanks for posting it.❤😊
@billsomody6928
Robbie Robertson wrote this great Christmas song! Rest in peace, great artist and singer and songwriter and musician! You were a shining light in the darkness!
@hegete
Oh no...this is when I find out he is dead. Resting in the arms of Jesus. ❤️
@donherndon6331
Thanks to The Band for giving us a great Christmas gift. RIP to all who have gone on
@AnnaCarter-zf1bw
This song doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Merry Christmas !
@jackhicks7101
everyone needs to listen to this great song by the great Band