Joy to the World
The Philadelphia Orchestra And Chorus Lyrics
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Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns!
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love
"Joy to the World" is a classic and popular holiday song that was originally written by Isaac Watts in 1719, but the version we know today was arranged by Lowell Mason in 1839. The song is about spreading joy and happiness to everyone, including people and animals. The first verse introduces Jeremiah, a bullfrog who was a good friend of the singer, and whom the singer helped "drink his wine." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for enjoying life's simple pleasures with good company.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Joy to the world" four times, emphasizing the song's message of spreading joy and happiness to everyone. The second verse takes a political tone, with the singer saying that if they were the "king of the world," they would throw away things like cars, bars, and war, and instead make love to someone they care about. This verse could be interpreted as a call for peace, love, and a simpler way of life.
Overall, "Joy to the World" is a festive and upbeat song that encourages us to appreciate the good things in life and spread happiness to those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeremiah was a bullfrog
This is just a fun and funky way to start the song, doesn't really mean anything.
Was a good friend of mine
The singer had a good relationship with Jeremiah.
I never understood a single word he said
Jeremiah was perhaps difficult to understand, but it didn't matter - they were still friends.
But I helped him a-drink his wine
The singer and Jeremiah enjoyed drinking together.
And he always had some mighty fine wine
Jeremiah was good at picking wine.
Singin' Joy to the world
The singer (and Jeremiah) are getting really excited about spreading joy!
All the boys and girls now
Everyone is included in the joy-spreading party.
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Even the creatures of the sea deserve joy and happiness.
Joy to you and me
And of course, joy to the singer and their audience.
If I were the king of the world
A hypothetical scenario for the singer to express their desires.
Tell you what I'd do
The singer is about to lay out their plan.
I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war
The singer wants to get rid of things that cause chaos and unhappiness (cars and war) as well as things that trap and limit (bars).
Make sweet love to you
The singer wants to connect with someone they care about and create a more positive and loving world.
Sing it now Joy to the world
The singer is still hyped up and spreading joy.
You know I love the ladies
The singer is expressing their attraction to women.
Love to have my fun
The singer enjoys having a good time.
I'm a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
The singer is enjoying the good things in life and exploring all the colors of life.
A straight shootin' son-of-a-gun
The singer is honest and straightforward.
Joy to you and me
The singer is still spreading joy to everyone.
I want to tell you Joy to the world
One last time to remind everyone to be joyful!
All the boys and girls
Everyone! Including the youth.
Lyrics © DISK EYES MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kelly Coleman
Boy, this brings back memories of my childhood. My folks bought this album when it was released and we played it often. I think everyone did. Sixty years ago. Wow, I’m old. 😄🎅
Christmas Records
Your folks had good taste!
F. B.
Same! This was my childhood and adolescent Christmas album. We played it every Christmas! Beautiful album.
Katherine M.
Me too….ha. We played favorite albums on Christmas Eve, this being one of them.
Lisa M Hege
59.5 ...✌🙏👼🌼👵can'T relate...lol..FOLKS indeed 🙏💜💕🌼🇺🇸🐑🐎🦅🎁📯🎶🎹🎵🎻🎻
Diane Thompson
I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying his channel. This is my favorite kind of Christmas music; I don't care for contemporary music that much. I also love to read the comments about the memories people have regarding each album. Merry Christmas!
Christmas Records
Glad you enjoy. Merry Christmas!
Michelle Godwin
By far the most magnificent traditional Christmas Album ever recorded! As a teenager I used to listen to this for hours, while decorating the tree, wrapping gifts preparing Christmas Dinner etc. What excuisite interpretations and arrangements by Maestro Eugene Ormandy known as the "Philadelphia Sound!" It isn't Christmas without 1962's The Glorious Sound of Christmas!! 🎄 🔔 🔔 ⛄ 🎶 🎵 🎻 🥁 🎺
Christmas Records
Glad you enjoy. I think of this as the Star Wars (Williams) of Christmas Music.
Maria K
We always played this album at Christmas. It's just beautiful! Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, and Percy Faith and his orchestra. Just wasn't Christmas without this great music.