Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord by Boney M.: Lyrics Meaning – Unwrapping the Spiritual Fabric of a Disco Christmas Classic
Lyrics
And man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day
Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible said
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today
And man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day
While shepherds watch their flocks by night
They see a bright new shining star
They hear a choir sing a song, the music seemed to come from afar
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today
And man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day
Mmh-mmh
Mmh-hmm
Mmh-mmh
Mmh-mmh-hmm
Mmh-mmh-mmh-hmm
Mmh-hmm-mmh-mmh
For a moment the world was aglow, all the bells rang out
There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
“Let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace”
Oh my Lord
You sent Your son to save us
Oh my Lord
Your very self You gave us
Oh my Lord
That sin may not enslave us
And love may reign once more
Oh my Lord
When in the crib they found Him
Oh my Lord
A golden halo crowned Him
Oh my Lord
They gathered all around Him
To see Him and adore (this day will live forever)
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
They had become to doubt You
Oh my Lord (He is the truth forever)
What did they know about You?
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
But they were lost without You
They needed You so bad (His light is shining on us)
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
With the child’s adoration
Oh my lord (He is a personation)
There came great jubilation
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
And full of admiration
They realized what they had (until the sun falls from the sky)
Oh my Lord (oh praise the Lord)
You sent Your son to save us
Oh my Lord (this day will live forever)
Your very self You gave us
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
In a world where the sacred often crosses paths with the secular, a particular tune sets the stage each holiday season, weaving both tapestries into one. Boney M., with their track ‘Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord,’ accomplishes this synthesis, offering more than a mere holiday jingle. It’s a song that enfolds the spiritual narrative of Christmas and the zeitgeist of its own era, serenading many into a groove-laden contemplation of what the birth of Christ signifies.
Every line, every chorus carries weight, echoing through time since its release in the late ‘70s. It remains one of the quintessential Christmas melodies, but its appeal crosses boundaries of religion, knit tightly by the season’s universal themes of joy, hope, and renewal. Here’s a deeper dive into the layers of meaning behind one of Boney M.’s most cherished tracks.
The Cosmic Dance of Disco and Divinity
Released in an era dominated by disco beats and bell-bottom jeans, ‘Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord’ finds a rare but resounding harmony between pop culture and sacred tradition. Boney M., with their distinctive vocal flourishes and a beat you can’t help but sway to, deliver a message with roots in gospel and a presentation wrapped in the glitz of disco.
As much an invitation to dance as it is to reflect, the song invites listeners into the narrative as participants in both a spiritual awakening and a dance floor revolution. It’s a duality that perhaps seems juxtaposed yet feels intrinsically aligned in the listening experience.
A Narrative as Old as Time, Reborn in Modern Melody
At the heart of ‘Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord’ is a story told for millennia across countless cultures—the birth of Jesus Christ. The song retells this ancient tale not as a dated scripture, but as a living, breathing moment of joy, as revelatory now as it was two thousand years ago.
One cannot ignore the powerful simplicity of the song’s narrative drive. Through the blending of ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ and ‘Oh My Lord,’ Boney M. takes a revered moment in Christian doctrine and infuses it with contemporary vitality, ensuring the message endures among generations who are just encountering the majesty of this age-old celebration.
Unveiling the Hidden Meaning Behind the Festive Melody
Beyond the bright choruses and the infectious rhythms lies a deeper resonance within ‘Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord.’ This song speaks to the heart’s longing for a reprieve from the darkness, a celebration of light in the midst of shadows. It is both recognition and a reminder that hope and redemption are central themes not just of Christmas, but of human existence.
The repeated invocation of ‘Oh my Lord’ serves as a mantra, a spiritual assertion of belief in the midst of modernity’s noise. It’s a call to remember the roots of the holiday, to ponder the notion of salvation and what it means in the context of one’s personal journey.
Chorus of the Ages: Memorable Lines that Echo Through Time
‘Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today.’ These words, though simple, wield the power to transport listeners to the fields of Bethlehem, connecting them to the shepherds witnessing the celestial announcement. It is this universality, this ability to evoke communal memory and shared heritage, that cements the song’s place in the canon of Christmas lore.
The narrative not only traverses geographical boundaries but temporal ones as well. Each December, those lines recapture the peace and wonder of Christmas, reincarnating the thrill of discovery, the warmth of the season’s spirit, and the echo of angelic heraldry in the chill winter air.
Ringing Bells of Joy: The Song’s Enduring Legacy in Modern Culture
‘Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord’ remains a cultural touchstone, its appeal undiminished by the passing of years. Its ability to evoke a spectrum of emotions—from the buoyant to the sacred—ensures its continuance as a staple of holiday playlists and public consciousness.
The song’s bridge, a meld of gospel hope and disco celebration, captures the essence of what keeps the track eternally fresh. It is the sonic embodiment of joy and faith, an anthem that transcends its initial era to become a perennial reminder of the Christmas spirit’s enduring message of love and light.
