When a Child Is Born

Christmas song This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "When a Child Is Born" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message) "When a Child Is Born" is a Christmas song, with a melody taken from "Soleado", a tune from 1974 by Ciro Dammicco (alias Zacar). The tune was based on Dammicco's earlier tune "Le rose blu" published in 1972. The English lyrics were written by Austrian composer Fred Jay as a Christmas song (although the song does not actually make any specific reference to Christmas). Versions of the song have been recorded by Michael Holm in 1974, Johnny Mathis, whose version was the 1976 Christmas number one in the UK, and Boney M, who included it on their hit 1981 Christmas Album.

[edit] "When a Child Is Born"Single by Johnny Mathisfrom the album I Only Have Eyes for You A-side"When a Child Is Born (Soleado)"B-side"Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High)"ReleasedNovember 1976Recorded1976GenreEasy listening, popular Christmas songLabelCBSSongwritersCiro Dammicco (music), Fred Jay (lyrics)ProducerJack Gold

The most commercially successful version of the song is the 1976 recording by American singer Johnny Mathis, titled "When a Child Is Born (Soleado)". Released in November 1976, the single featured a cover of Charlie Rich's "Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High)" as its B-side. Mathis' rendition became a major hit in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks in December 1976. This included the coveted Christmas number one position. It remains Johnny Mathis' only chart-topping single in the UK and sold approximately 885,000 copies. In the United States, the song appeared in the Record World chart during the 1976 and 1977 Christmas seasons, peaking at No. 123 and spending a total of ten weeks on the survey. Mathis later re-recorded the song as a duet with Gladys Knight & the Pips; this version reached No. 137 on the Record World chart during the 1980 Christmas season and entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 79.

Certifications[edit]

Region

Certification Certified units/sales

United Kingdom (BPI)

Gold

400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

[edit] The melody was used with German lyrics by Michael Holm in "Tränen lügen nicht" (translation: Tears Don't Lie) in 1974. In German, the song is unrelated to Christmas. The singer asks a guy to reconsider breaking up with his girl because her tears don't lie. Holm recorded a new version of "Tränen lügen nicht" for the international market, with new lyrics in English by Fred Jay, and this was the first version of the English-language "When a Child Is Born". It was a minor hit in the US and Canada, reaching #53 on Billboard's Hot 100, #7 on Billboard's Easy Listening Top 50,and #25 on Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. The tune was also used for Mark 'Oh's 1995 dance hit, "Tears Don't Lie".

Even without a sleigh‑bell riff or a nativity lyric, the song’s sweeping, hopeful melody hits the same emotional chord as any traditional carol. The gentle piano and string arrangement create a warm, almost reverent atmosphere that many associate with the hush of a winter night. Because the lyrics focus on the birth of a child, listeners instinctively link it with the story of Jesus, especially when it’s placed in a festive context on radio playlists. This subtle connection lets the track slip into Christmas compilations without sounding like a novelty, making it a safe, universally‑appealing choice for families who want something soothing rather than overtly festive.

The song has been covered by several artists, each bringing a distinct flavour. Johnny Mathis’s 1976 rendition is polished, with a smooth vocal that fits well in an elegant dinner setting; the orchestration is lush but never overpowers conversation. Boney M’s 1981 take adds a gentle disco‑era gloss, giving it a slightly upbeat bounce that works for a lively gathering. If you prefer a more intimate vibe, Michael Holm’s original version retains a softer, European feel. When curating your playlist, match the version’s tempo and production to the mood of the event – classic dinner, cocktail hour, or a relaxed family morning – to keep the music supportive rather than distracting.

Many assume the track was written for the holiday season, yet its original lyricist, Fred Jay, adapted an existing instrumental called “Soleado” and simply attached generic birth‑related words. No mention of snow, reindeer or the nativity appears in the lyrics. The song’s Christmas status comes mainly from radio programmers who slot it into seasonal rotations because of its uplifting tone. Understanding this helps listeners appreciate the music on its own terms, and it also reminds broadcasters to pair it with other genuine carols if they wish to maintain a thematic flow. It’s a beautiful piece, just not a traditional Christmas hymn.