Is it too early for Christmas music?
Tyler Childers’ new album Rustin’ in the Rain was released this past Friday, and the 7-song track list brought fans a number of originals, a few covers, and apparently a Christmas song.
While playing his entire new album during his stop at the Grand Ole Opry last week, he got to “Luke 2: 8-10” and thought that he would preface the song and the performance for the crowd. As he stood in the famous circle, he told everyone that the song was his “attempt at a Christmas song,” which got a number of laughs.
For anyone that isn’t familiar with this scripture from the Bible, the book of Luke helps to tell the story of the birth of Jesus, which obviously is an important part of Christmas (some even say the reason for the season).
Childers knew that some people might not know the three verses, which is why he opens up the recording of the song by reading through them.
He’s also helped out by Margo Price, who steps in as the voice of the angel:
“Luke chapter 2, verses 8 through 10. And there were, in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.
And the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them, and they were so afraid.
And the angel said unto them ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be unto all.'”
Is that getting you into the Christmas spirit? I guess September is a touch early, so I understand if it isn’t…
Anyways, what Tyler Childers manages to do with those three verses is nothing short of hilarious. He must have read through that scripture and stopped and thought to himself:
“How would I react if an angel appeared upon me? Especially, 2,000 years ago.”
It is a fair question, and one that he lyrically explores throughout the entire song.
Angels don’t just visit people everyday, so Childers took that thought and swam around in it. If something like that were to happen, you would probably be second guessing yourself and assume you might be hallucinating.
The lyrics of the song are from a more realistic point-of-view and reaction to the event, singing:
“Is it a bird, is it a plane
Is it perhaps I’m going insane
From all night abidin’ the field?
Look at the thing up on the ridge
What d’ya reckon it is?
It’s moving, I think it’s on wheels
Is it a flame hooked to a cart?
Come to a ‘whoa’ there in the dark
Why in the world would you move such a thing?
Lo, enough, hark, I could’ve sworn
I heard a shout, what’s going on?
It’s closer, it’s coming our way
Daniel, get up, gather the sheep
Tell them there’s no time to sleep
My God, it’s the end of the world”
Obviously, it isn’t your typical Christmas song, but it is one that you could slip into your Holiday playlist.
Once “Luke 2:8-10” plays, its very likely to start a conversation around the dinner table, which is really all you can ask for when Christmas rolls around.
Take a listen, and maybe make sure to save it so you can “unwrap it” (see what I did there?) here in a couple of months:
