I started writing They Told Me of a Child back in January, and by March, I had begun putting the melodies together.
But then I got stuck.
I knew what I wanted the song to be about: someone coming to see the newborn Christ with nothing grand to offer, only the tambourine he carried with him.
I could hear that tambourine in my head. But strangely enough, I couldn't figure out how to describe its sound in words.
So the song sat unfinished in my notes.
Then, after my mom had just gotten out of the hospital, I went to visit her. We were talking, and I told her about the song.
“I can't finish it because I don't know how to describe the sound of a tambourine.”
She smiled at me and sang:
🎶 “Jing-a-ling, jing-a-ling…” 🎶
And it clicked.
That was it.
🎶 They called me from the fields that night,
jing-a-ling, jing-a-ling…
“Come see the child in gentle light,”
jing-a-ling, jing-a-ling…
That little sound became the thread running through the entire song and finally brought a song I had been carrying for months to life.
So today, I'm sharing They Told Me of a Child. 🎄❤️
It's a simple Christmas story about coming to the manger without riches or anything impressive to give, only what you already have, and offering it from the heart.
And this song carries a little piece of my mom with it.
Thank you, Mom. ❤️
Without your little “jing-a-ling, jing-a-ling,” this song would probably still be buried somewhere in my notes.
Now, it's finally here. 🎶
🎄 They Told Me of a Child
By Hydee M. | Praise Beat
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