Sting – Gabriel’s Message
Ultra-rare promotional video for Sting’s cover of “Gabriel’s Message,” featured on the first “A Very Special Christmas” album, released in 1987 as a benefit for the Special Olympics. The song itself is based on a 13th-Century Basque carol, translated in the 1800s. Lyrics: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came His wings as drifted snow His eyes as flame “All Hail!” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,” “Most Highly Favoured Lady,” Gloria! “For know a Blessed Mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honour thee Thy Son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold Most highly favoured Lady,” Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head; “To me, be as it pleaseth God,” she said. “My soul shall laud and magnify His holy Name” Most highly favoured Lady! Gloria! Of her Immanuel, the Christ was born, In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn. And everyone throughout the world will ever say, “Most highly favoured lady!” Gloria!
Dear Athiests…I have spent 12 years in post graduate education as a scientist and I am a devout Catholic. I have felt the Holy Spirit (which was about as subtle as a punch in the head). Jesus IS, just as he was predicted countless times in the Old Testament. Look into it, if you think yourselves so clever…. for once, you won’t be let down.
@MonkeyBallistiX christmas is about spending time with your loved ones and sharing ( even if you have little to none) with them…not about buying expensive gifts and expecting something in return or about singing carols and going to church
Best version by Sting. I think it is the strong virile voice which gives it such clout.
@robytzu97 I agree. I’m not an atheist but i don’t believe in christ, either. However, it’s songs like this, still capturing what should be the part of Christmas people remember, that I can enjoy and respect.
i’m an atheist and i love this song
love this song
@Zacman123
I like how the hands of the angel gently touch his head before the illumination begins.
Ask me about one of the Legacies of Larry King Show….and I would tell you ito’s this song. That’s where I first heard this song rendered by Sting at Xmas 2009! Thanks Larry, Thanks Sting…for bringing me this far with this song…and I am still hanging on to it! Will never let go!
MichaelO
I love playing this at Christmas time….its beautiful.
@toksik34
How about MTV2?
Gloria in excelsis deo
love it
@snidelywhiplash Yes. Back in the days when this song was written, literacy was only for the rich. If you wanted to pass on news and social ttraditions, you had to do it orally. And since stuff like – oh…FLOORS were also for only the rich, the only place you could get together under one roof was the church.
Henceforth, songs like this weren’t meant to be “interpreted.” They were Sunday school for the pre-Reanaissance common man.
@littlescratchykitty
I totally agree! I completely fell in love with the whole “Very Special Xmas” 1987 CD, ALLOT of my favorites are on it. And when Sting did his fantastic “Winter” CD, one of my critiques is “Gabriel”. I feel the 1987 version is WAY WAY WAY better. The mood, the haunting vocals,and the pure emotion in his voice makes the track amazing. The 2009 version, is well bland and lacking in comparison, IMO
Elmegy
Lol at the kid who doesn’t know what it’s about… Epic song this is my favourite Christmas song I sing it every year in choir!
The only song that’s Christmas-y that I can listen to at ANY time of the year.
@rnk1977 that would be because MTV doesnt play music anymore. =(
Beautiful song.
Very powerful. Sting never goes traditional. Love it.
I sooo love this song
this is a beautiful song I love it : )
i remember on MTV europe in early 90ties, this was frequent video in xmas time, i wouldn’t know today that it exists – it’s not on tv and radio unfortunately
My name is gabriel
plz thumbs me down
It’s really more about the Annunciation, but seems to have morphed into a Christmas song