The Carpenters' melodic pop charted a record-breaking score of hit recordings on the American Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts, becoming leading sellers in the soft rock, easy listening and adult contemporary genres. The Carpenters had three #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and fifteen #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary Chart (see The Carpenters discography). In addition, they had twelve top 10 singles (including their #1 hits). To date, The Carpenters' album and single sales total more than 100 million units.
During their fourteen-year career, The Carpenters recorded eleven albums, five of which contained top 10 singles (Close to You, Carpenters, A Song for You, Now & Then and Horizon), thirty-one singles, five television specials, and one short-lived television series. They toured in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands and Belgium. Their recording career ended with Karen's death on February 4, 1983. Karen passed away after cardiac arrest due to complications of anorexia nervosa. Extensive news coverage of the circumstances surrounding her death increased public awareness of the consequences of eating disorders.
Their first recordings were not successful, and the recording studio that was recording them, dropped them. That's when their 'savior' came in. Herb Alpert of A&M records heard a couple of their songs and said that he felt that they had good potential. Thanks to him, and his ability to see/hear quality when it appears, we had the GREAT performers of The Carpenters.
overture
The Carpenters Lyrics
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The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Refrain
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
They lookèd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Refrain
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Glory Gloria
in excelsios Deo
The Carpenters' Overture is a medley of three classic Christmas carols - The First Noel, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. The lyrics of the first verse describe the moment when the angel appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of Jesus. The shepherds were tending their sheep on a cold winter's night when they heard the news. The refrain "Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel" is a joyful declaration of the birth of the Savior.
The second verse describes the star that the shepherds saw in the east. The star gave great light and was a sign that the Savior had been born. The silent night is contrasted with the glorious light of the star. The refrain is repeated again. The third verse is from the perspective of the town of Bethlehem. It describes the peaceful and quiet night, but also acknowledges that the hopes and fears of all the people throughout history are summed up in this moment. The verse ends with the phrase "Glory Gloria in excelsis Deo" which is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest."
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel the angel did say
A message was delivered by an angel saying that the savior has been born.
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
The message was delivered to shepherds who were in fields tending their sheep.
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
The shepherds were in the fields, making sure their sheep were safe and tended to.
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
The night was deep and cold, making the shepherds' job tougher and harder to carry out.
They lookèd up and saw a star
The shepherds saw a bright star while out in the fields.
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
The star was shining in the far east from where the shepherds were located.
And to the earth it gave great light,
The star provided significant light and possibly enlightenment to the land and people around.
And so it continued both day and night.
The star remained visible both in daylight and through the night.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, is seen as a small and peaceful town.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
In the silent night, stars shine above the town.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
Despite the darkness in the town's streets, the light of the savior shines brightly and eternally.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
All the expectations and anxieties of mankind are fulfilled in the town of Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.
Glory Gloria in excelsios Deo
This line means 'Glory to God in the highest.'
Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ALAN JAY LERNER, FREDERICK LOEWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind