The von Trapps (a.k.a. The von Trapp Children) are a vocal quartet. They ar… Read Full Bio ↴The von Trapps (a.k.a. The von Trapp Children) are a vocal quartet. They are all siblings, and are the great-grandchildren of the real Baron von Trapp on whom the character of Captain von Trapp (from "The Sound of Music") is loosely based. The von Trapps perform a variety of styles, from chorales to country to pop to songs from "The Sound of Music."

Carol of the Birds
The Von Trapp Children Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Upon this holy night
When God′s great star appears
And floods the earth with brightness

Birds' voices rise in song
And warbling all night long
Express their glad heart′s lightness

Birds' voices rise in song
And warbling long
Express their glad hearts' lightness

The nightingale is first
To bring his song of cheer
And tell us of his gladness:

Jesus our Lord is come
To free us from our sin
And banish every sadness.

Jesus our Lord is come
To free us from our sin
And banish every sadness.

The answering Sparrow cries:
God′s come to earth this day
Amid the angels flying.

Trilling in sweetest tones,
The Finch his Lord now owns
To Him be all thanksgiving.

Trilling in sweetest tones,
The Finch his Lord now owns
To Him be all thanksgiving.

The Partridge adds his note:
To Bethlehem I′ll fly
Where in the stall He's lying.

There, in the manger blessed,
I′ll build myself a nest
And sing of love undying.

There, in the manger blessed,

I'll build myself a nest,
And sing of love undying.

Overall Meaning

The Von Trapp Children's song Carol of the Birds is a beautiful and serene song that paints a picture of a peaceful holy night. The song starts off by describing the appearance of God's great star that engulfs the earth in brightness. As God's star appears, birds' voices rise in song to express their gladness and joy. The nightingale is described as the first bird to bring his song of cheer and tell of Jesus our Lord, who has come to free us from sin and banish sadness. Following the nightingale, the Sparrow, Trilling Finch, and Partridge add their notes to the melody, further telling of the arrival of Jesus and his birthplace of Bethlehem. The Partridge even mentions building a nest in the manger and singing of "love undying." All these birds' songs bring a sense of calmness and peace to the Holy Night.

The song's message is that even in the middle of the night, there is a sense of expectation and joy in the midst of God's creations. The birds' voices and songs show that they are rejoicing in the birth of Jesus and spreading the message of His arrival. The birds in the song demonstrate the important roles that nature and animals play in the story of Jesus' birth.

Line by Line Meaning

Upon this holy night
On this sacred night

When God's great star appears
When the brilliant star of God illuminates the sky

And floods the earth with brightness
And floods the earth with divine light

Birds' voices rise in song
The birds' voices arise in a melodious tune

And warbling all night long
And they sing all night long

Express their glad hearts' lightness
To express the joy and happiness they feel

The nightingale is first
The first bird is the nightingale

To bring his song of cheer
To bring his joyful melody

And tell us of his gladness
And to share his delight with us

Jesus our Lord is come
Our Lord Jesus has arrived

To free us from our sin
To release us from our sins