Lyrics
I sure do wish that I coulda been there
I express a strong desire to have been present at a particular event.
When the cries of a baby filled the air
Refers to the sounds of a baby's cries filling the atmosphere.
And the earth and the sky sang together like they'd never sung
Describes a moment when the earth and sky harmoniously sang in a unique way.
Well, it came upon a midnight clear
Refers to a specific clear night when something significant happened.
If I close my eyes I can almost hear
The speaker can almost hear the moment when joy was proclaimed because the Lord had come.
That great big, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come"
Recalls the proclamation "Joy to the world, the Lord has come" on that special night.
It musta been a sound so grand
Speculation on the grand and majestic nature of the sound heard.
Coming from an angel band
Suggests that an angelic band produced this grand sound.
The shepherds musta shouted, "Hallelujah"
Implies that shepherds reacted with shouts of "Hallelujah" to the celestial occurrence.
Everybody in the stable bringing
Describes everyone in the stable giving glory to the newborn King.
Glory to the newborn King with
Continues the description of the joyous occasion with specific focus on newborn King's glory.
Heaven and nature singing
Highlights the participation of heaven and nature in singing.
Well, I wonder if the pine trees swayed
Wondering if natural elements like pine trees responded to the event.
As the cattle lowed and the donkeys brayed
Depicts a scene where animals (cattle and donkeys) made sounds while the wise men gathered.
Did the wise men gather 'round the manger to harmonize
Raises a question about the wise men harmonizing around the manger.
Was Mary rocking her pride and joy
Imagines Mary rocking her baby to the rhythm of a drummer boy.
To the down-home rhythm of a drummer boy
Continues the imagery of a lively and non-silent night.
I'm thinking it was anything but a silent night
Suggests that the night was far from silent, contrary to the common perception.
It musta been a sound so grand
Reiterates the speculation about the grand nature of the sound, possibly angelic.
Coming from an angel band
Repeats the idea of an angel band producing a majestic sound.
The shepherds musta shouted, "Hallelujah"
Reiterates the shepherds' reaction with shouts of "Hallelujah."
Everybody in the stable bringing
Repeats the idea of everyone in the stable giving glory to the newborn King.
Glory to the newborn King with
Reiterates the participation of heaven and nature in singing.
Heaven and nature singing
Empty line, perhaps for emphasis or transition.
Don't it make you wanna dance around and
Suggests that the described scene makes one feel like dancing around.
Don't it make you wanna tell it on the mountain
Expresses the desire to share and proclaim the joy on the mountain.
Go tell it on the mountain
Encourages spreading the news on the mountain and everywhere.
Over the hills and everywhere
Further emphasizes the call to spread the news over hills and everywhere.
It musta been a sound so grand
Reiterates the speculation about the grand nature of the sound, possibly angelic.
Coming from an angel band
Repeats the idea of an angel band producing a majestic sound.
The shepherds musta shouted, "Hallelujah"
Reiterates the shepherds' reaction with shouts of "Hallelujah."
Everybody in the stable bringing
Repeats the idea of everyone in the stable giving glory to the newborn King.
Glory to the newborn King with
Reiterates the participation of heaven and nature in singing.
Heaven and nature singing
Final repetition of the idea of heaven and nature singing in harmony.
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