jester hairston
Serving 98 years of inprisonment in entertaining business, Jester Hairston was finally set free January 18th 2000. He is immortalised for writing this song, first recorded 1956 by the legend Harry Belafonte, later made irrecognizable by several dozens of artists. He also wrote/rearranged "Amen" from the Sidney Poitier film, "Lilies of the Field" - and dubbed it himself, because Poitier could not sing. Barely act. Himself, he was multi-talented. He was a singer, musician, composer, and actor. He is found as minor actor in lots of award-winning movies. His major influence in entertainment business is probably his background engagement in arranging Dimitri Tiomkin's compositions for decades. But *this* song is in my mind his masterpiece. It's worth these 98 years ... solely.
long time ago in Bethlehem
so the Holy Bible say:
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ
was born on Christmas day
while shepherds watched their flocks by night
them see a bright new shining star
them hear a choir sing
the music seemed to come from afar
now Joseph and his wife Mary
come to Bethlehem that night
them find no place to lay she child
not a single room was in sight
by and by they find a little nook
in a stable all forlorn
and in a manger cold and dark
Mary's little boy was born
hark now hear the angels sing • a new king born today
and man will live forever more because of Christmas day
trumpets sound and the angels sing • listen to what they say
that man will live forever more because of Christmas day
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
D D7 G Em long time ago in Bethlehem A A7 D so the Holy Bible say: D D7 G Em Mary's boy child Jesus Christ D A7 D was born on Christmas day D G A7 D Bm Em A A7 hark now hear the angels sing a new king born today D D7 G Em D A7 D and man will live forever more because of Christmas day D G A7 D Bm Em A A7 trumpets sound and the angels sing listen to what they say D D7 G Em D A7 D that man will live forever more because of Christmas day
