Composer

:

Christmas Traditional

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:35

'Sweet Little Jesus Boy' is a beloved Christmas carol that has been performed by countless artists over the years. The song was composed by Robert MacGimsey, an American composer and arranger who was born in 1898 and died in 1979. MacGimsey was a prolific songwriter who wrote many popular songs during his lifetime, but 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy' is perhaps his most famous composition. The song was first published in 1934 and has since become a staple of Christmas music. It is typically performed in a slow, soulful style, with a focus on the emotional depth of the lyrics. The song is often sung in churches and other religious settings, but it has also been recorded by secular artists and used in movies and television shows. 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy' is a three-movement song that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first movement describes the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth, with lyrics such as "The world treats you mean, Lord / Treats me mean too / But that's how things are down here / We don't know who you are." The second movement focuses on the joy and wonder of the shepherds who witnessed the birth of Jesus, with lyrics such as "The stars in the sky / Look down where he lay / The little Lord Jesus / Asleep on the hay." The final movement is a prayer of gratitude and devotion to Jesus, with lyrics such as "Sweet little Jesus boy / Born long ago / Sweet little holy child / We didn't know who you were." One of the most distinctive characteristics of 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy' is its use of African American spirituals and gospel music. MacGimsey was deeply influenced by the music of the black church, and he incorporated elements of that music into his composition. The result is a song that is both deeply spiritual and emotionally powerful, with a timeless quality that has made it a beloved Christmas classic.

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