The group was created by producer Frank Farian in 1975 and was composed of … Read Full Bio ↴The group was created by producer Frank Farian in 1975 and was composed of four West Indian artists working in London, Germany and the Netherlands: singers Marcia Barrett and Liz Mitchell, model Maizie Williams and DJ Bobby Farrell. Boney M is noted for the mix of white and black music—the producer Farian is white and the singers are black; significantly many songs are black (freedom) songs, for example “No More Chain Gang” in the album Oceans Of Fantasy.

Farian first released the single “Baby Do You Wanna Bump?” in 1975, under the name Boney M. He performed the sparse vocals of the song himself. The song went on to become a hit and it was then that Farian decided to hire a team of dancers and vocalists to ‘front’ the group.

The line-up of the group went through numerous changes, Maizie Williams being the only original member that remained. Not satisfied with merely miming to Farian’s songs, one of the members, Claudja Barry, left on short notice in February 1976 - days before the group was scheduled to appear on a local television gig in Saarbruecken. Liz Mitchell, then an unemployed singer and formerly a member of the Les Humphries Singers, was brought in as a temporary replacement for the gig under the recommendation of Marcia Barrett. Farian was impressed with her performance, and she went on to record Boney M’s first LP, Take The Heat Off Me.

Farian had previously recorded some songs with Marcia Barrett, the other vocalist of the group. A couple of the songs, “Lovin’ Or Leavin’” and “Daddy Cool” were included on Take The Heat Off Me. The commercial response to the album was lukewarm. However, the group rigorously toured discos, clubs and even country fairs to earn a reputation for themselves. The group’s big break came when, at the end of that summer, music-TV-producer Michael ‘Mike’ Leckebusch of Radio Bremen, requested the group for his show “Musikladen”. Boney M appeared on the live music show on 18 September 1976, after 10pm, in their now trademark daring costumes. By the end of the following week, “Daddy Cool” became Germany’s #1 single in the charts. The album was to follow the success of the single.

Despite his success with Boney M, controversy followed the group’s founder, Frank Farian, in what was to later shadow his involvement with Milli Vanilli. Bobby Farrell – the male face of the group – and Maizie Williams contributed to studio recordings but for reasons only known to Frank Farian were apparently left off the final mixes, while their numerous and highly competent live performances from 1977 onwards were never in any doubt. Almost all of the male vocals, along with some of the choir sections in songs such as “Dancing in the Streets” and “Bye Bye Bluebird”, were performed by Farian himself. Farrell, as Farian finally had admitted on German television in 2003, had been chosen for his personality and innovative dancing.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing
boney m Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!

Hail! the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the some of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Boney M.'s version of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is a joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It begins with the announcement of the arrival of the King and the declaration of peace on earth and mercy for sinners. The second verse praises Jesus Christ as the 'Prince of Peace' and the 'Son of Righteousness' who came to bring light and life to all. It further describes Jesus as one who came to heal and save humanity from death and sin. The angels proclaim that Christ was born in Bethlehem, and there is great joy that the Savior has come to earth.

The chorus repeats the proclamation that the angels made earlier concerning the glory that should be accorded the newborn King. The phrase "Glory to the newborn King!" is a celebratory shout that encapsulates the spirit of the season of Christmas. The lyrics express the joy of the season, the gift of forgiveness and salvation that Christ brought, and the hope of a new birth in Him.

Line by Line Meaning

Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The messengers of God are singing,

"Glory to the newborn King!
"Praise the new King who is born!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
Let there be peace on earth and compassion among all,

God and sinners reconciled."
Bringing together God and those who have sinned,

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
All nations, rise and be filled with joy,

Join the triumph of the skies,
Celebrate the victory in the heavens,

With th' angelic host proclaim,
Proclaim with the host of angels,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
"The Messiah is born in Bethlehem."

Hail! the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Greetings to the Prince of Peace who was born in heaven!

Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Greetings to the Son who is Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,
He brings light and life to all,

Risen with healing in his wings
He is raised up with healing in his power,

Mild he lays his glory by,
He humbly puts aside his glory,

Born that man no more may die,
Born so that man may no longer die,

Born to raise the some of earth,
Born to raise the sons of the earth,

Born to give them second birth.
Born to give them a new beginning.