Michael W. Smith - A Highland Carol Lyrics + Chords
Lyrics
Instrumental
A Highland Christmas Carol Instrumental
Video
A Highland Carol
Meaning & Inspiration
Michael W. Smith's "A Highland Carol," released on September 28, 2004, as part of the album *It's A Wonderful Christmas*, presents a unique instrumental offering within the Christmas music landscape. While the lyrics are absent, the title itself, "A Highland Carol," immediately conjures imagery and a sense of tradition, hinting at a narrative deeply rooted in the spirit of Christmas. The absence of vocalization in this particular track shifts the focus entirely to the instrumental composition, inviting the listener to engage with the story and meaning through sound alone. The "Highland" designation suggests a connection to Scotland, a region rich with history and often associated with evocative, stirring melodies. In this context, the instrumental arrangement becomes the sole vehicle for conveying the Christmas message. This approach encourages a meditative listening experience, allowing the music to evoke the awe and wonder of the Nativity without the explicit guidance of words. One might reflect on the profound silence that surrounded the birth of Christ, a silence broken only by divine pronouncements and the soft sounds of the stable. The instrumental nature of "A Highland Carol" can thus echo that foundational stillness, allowing the listener's imagination to paint the scene of Christ's arrival. The music, in its evocative power, can speak to the timeless truth found in John 1:14, which states, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." This instrumental piece, by eschewing lyrical declaration, prompts a personal interpretation, encouraging a deeper contemplation of the Incarnation – God’s profound act of coming into the world. The strength of this piece lies in its ability to stir the soul and awaken a sense of sacred anticipation, much like the prophecies foretold Christ's coming, as seen in Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." "A Highland Carol", through its musical tapestry, invites listeners to embrace the mystery and majesty of this miraculous event, fostering a spiritual connection to the Christmas story that resonates on a deeply emotional and spiritual level.