When Naomi Judd found herself pregnant, she quickly got married but not to the father of her first child, daughter Christina Ciminella. Christina, born May 30, 1964, became known as Wynonna Judd when the mother-daughter duo stormed the country charts in the 1980s.
After Naomi Judd divorced, she moved from Hollywood, back to Morrill, Ky., with Wynonna and another daughter Ashley. There, she worked as a nurse in a local infirmary. Outside working and school hours, she and the children would sing anything from bluegrass to showbiz standards for their own amusement. However, when Wynonna nurtured aspirations to be a professional entertainer, her mother lent her encouragement, to the extent of moving the family to Nashville in 1979. Naomi's contralto subtly underlined Wynonna's tuneful drawl.
In addition to many performances on Ralph Emery's morning television show, Naomi elicited an audition for RCA Records while tending a hospitalized relation of label producer Brent Maher. With a past that read like a Judith Krantz novel, the Judds -- so the executives considered -- would have more than an even chance in the country market. An exploratory mini-album, which contained proved the executives correct. The single "Had a Dream (From the Heart)" peaked at No. 17 in 1984. Later that year, the Judds scored their first of 14 No. 1 hits with "Mama He's Crazy."
Self-composed songs included Naomi's 1989 composition "Change of Heart," dedicated to her future second husband (and former Elvis Presley backing vocalist) Larry Strickland. Meanwhile, Maher co-wrote hits such as 1985's Grammy-winning "Why Not Me," "Turn It Loose," "Girls Night Out," "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Ol' Days)" and "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain."
Most Judds records exhibited an acoustic bias and a penchant for star guests that included the Jordanaires on "Don't Be Cruel," Emmylou Harris on "The Sweetest Gift," Mark Knopfler on his "Water of Love" and Bonnie Raitt playing slide guitar on the album Love Can Build a Bridge. In 1988, the pair became the first female country act to found their own booking agency (Pro-Tours), but a chronic hepatitis infection forced Naomi to retire from the concert stage two years later.
The Judds toured America in a series of farewell concerts before Wynonna began her solo career. Wynonna got off to a strong start, as her first two singles both went to #1. Her 1994 single "Girls With Guitars" featured Naomi (as well as Lyle Lovett) on backup vocals.
In 1998, The Judds appeared in a commercial for the retail chain Kmart, singing Wynonna's single "Woman To Woman".
In 1999, Wynonna reunited with her mother for a New Year's Eve concert in Phoenix. The following year, the duo recorded four new tracks for a bonus disc issued with Wynonna's album New Day Dawning, and undertook a multi-city tour. The results were issued as the album Reunion Live. A 2004 single, "Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)" was recorded with Naomi; however, the single was credited as "Wynonna with Naomi Judd" instead of "The Judds".
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
The Judds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shining far through shadows dimmed
Giving the life for those who long have gone on
Guiding the wise men on their way
Unto the place where Jesus lay
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
Oh beautiful star the hope of light
Over the mountains 'till the break of dawn
Into the land of perfect day
It will give out a lovely ray
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
Oh beautiful star (beautiful, beautiful star) of Bethlehem
Star of Bethlehem
Shine upon us until the glory dawn
Give us a lamp to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
Oh beautiful star the hope, the grace
For the redeem of good and blessed
Yonder in glory when the crowd is one
Jesus is now the star divine
Brighter and brighter he will shine
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
The Judds's song "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" is a spiritual Christmas song that is all about a star that shone and guided the wise men to where Jesus was born. The star is described as beautiful and shining far through shadows dimmed. It is said to give life to those who long have gone on and guided the wise men on their way to the place where Jesus lay. The song describes the star as shining and giving hope to those who seek it. It is a symbol of light that guides pilgrims through the night and over the mountains until the break of dawn, into the land of perfect day.
The star is also described as a lamp to light the way to the land of perfect day, and it is asked to shine on and give grace and hope to those who seek it. The song ends on a note of hope and redemption, with Jesus now being the star divine and ever shining brighter and brighter. The lyrics of the song convey a sense of magic, mystery and hope surrounding the birth of Jesus and the guiding light that led people to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem
Addressing the star that shone above Bethlehem
Shining far through shadows dimmed
The star was still visible despite the dimmed shadows
Giving the life for those who long have gone on
The star led the wise men to Jesus, providing them with spiritual fulfillment
Guiding the wise men on their way
The star served as a guide to the wise men
Unto the place where Jesus lay
Leading the wise men to the place where Jesus was born
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
Encouragement for the star to continue shining bright
Oh beautiful star the hope of light
The star represented hope and light to those who saw it
Guiding the pilgrims through the night
The star also served as a guide to pilgrims in search of spiritual guidance
Over the mountains 'till the break of dawn
The star led the way through the mountains until the morning light
Into the land of perfect day
The star guided people to the promised land of spiritual enlightenment
It will give out a lovely ray
The star's beam was lovely and welcoming
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
A repeated encouragement for the star to keep shining on
Oh beautiful star (beautiful, beautiful star) of Bethlehem Star of Bethlehem
An additional praise for the beauty of the star
Shine upon us until the glory dawn
A request for the star to keep shining until the glory of God shows throughout the land
Give us a lamp to light the way
The star was seen as a lamp, illuminating the path for those on a spiritual journey
Unto the land of perfect day
The star guided people towards the land of spiritual fulfillment
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
An exhortation for the star to keep shining bright
Oh beautiful star the hope, the grace
The star represented hope and grace for those on a spiritual journey
For the redeem of good and blessed
The star was seen as a symbol of redemption for those who followed its lead
Yonder in glory when the crowd is one
The star reminded people of the great day when humanity will be united in glory
Jesus is now the star divine
Jesus is the divine, spiritual guide that the star represented
Brighter and brighter he will shine
Jesus will continue to shine brighter and brighter as an eternal light
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
A final urge for the star to keep shining and guiding people on their spiritual journeys
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Phipps
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ljbobb1
this is such a wonderful song, eagerly awaited at the Christmas season ... glad I found it on facebook to enjoy all year. sweet!