Harry Belafonte first recorded “Mary’s Boy Child” in 1956.

Belafonte’s version featured a soft, slow, melodic tone.

Every Christmas season, radio stations are flooded with requests, not for Belafonte’s recording, but for the 1978 cover by the Euro-disco group Boney M.

German producer Frank Farian had a successful single in 1975 but decided he wanted some attractive singers and dancers to present on stage and in concert. Farian was watching an Australian detective series. The main character was called Boney Maroney, and that’s how he came up with the name for the group.

From the unofficial Boney M website:

Boney M. was a studio-group and all vocals on the records were done by Marcia Barrett, Liz Mitchell and Boney M.’s producer and mastermind Frank Farian. When Reggie Tsiboe replaced Bobby Farrell he would also be a part of the recording-team. From around 1980 session singers would also be used for backing vocals. However it should be mentioned that no matter what is said or written then the members of Boney M. did sing live on stage at live concerts. Farian wasn’t a part of that act.

(In 1978) Boney M. broke record sales in most countries. It wasn’t just another hit – it was THE Christmas record of the year.

“Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord” was released in Germany on 27th November and an instant hit. However the strange thing was that in Germany the single first went to no. 1 in early January 1979 when the Christmas period was over.

In England the single was no. 1 for four weeks and in Denmark “Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord” was the first single ever to be achieving platinum status.

Many years ago when WOKY played Christmas music the station got lots of calls asking for the name of the group that does that “Oh My Lord” song.

It’s Boney M. Good luck finding them on the radio these days.

Here they are in all their late 1970’s cheesy disco-ness. (Just look at those clothes and hair styles).

I dare you to watch the entire video and not be humming or singing the tune for hours after.

Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ 
Was born on Christmas Day
And man will live for evermore
Because of Christmas Day

Long time ago in Bethlehem
So the Holy Bible said
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas Day

Hark now hear the angels sing
A king was born today
And man will live for evermore
Because of Christmas Day

Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas Day

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
They see a bright new shining star
They hear a choir sing a song 
The music seemed to come from afar

Hark now hear the angels sing
A king was born today
And man will live for evermore
Because of Christmas Day

(Humming piece)
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, 
hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm

For a moment the world was aglow
All the bells rang out
There were tears of joy and laughter
People shouted: let everyone know
There is hope for all to find peace

Now Joseph and his wife, Mary
Came to Bethlehem that night
They found no place to bear her child
Not a single room was in sight

And then they found 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 king was born today
And man will live for evermore
Because of Christmas Day

Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas day
For a moment the world was aglow
All the bells rang out
There were tears of joy and laughter
People shouted: let everyone know
There is hope for all to find peace

Oh my Lord
You sent your son to save us
Oh my Lord
Your very self you gave us
Oh my Lord
That sin may not enslave us
And love may reign once more

Oh my Lord
when in the crib they found him
Oh my Lord
A golden halo crowned him
Oh my Lord
They gathered all around him
To see him and adore

Oh my Lord
With the child’s adoration
Oh my Lord
There came great jubilation
Oh my Lord
And full of admiration
They realized what they had
(Until the sun falls from the sky – oh pray the lord)

Oh my lord (Well praise the lord)
They had be begun to doubt you
Oh my Lord (He is the truth forever)
What did they know about you?
Oh my Lord (So praise the Lord)
But they were lost without you
They needed you so bad (His light is shining on us)

Oh my Lord (So praise the Lord)
with the child’s adoration
Oh my lord (He is a personation)
There came great jubilation
Oh my Lord (So praise the Lord)
And full of admiration
They realized what they had (until the sun falls from the sky)

Oh my Lord (Oh praise the Lord)
You sent your son to save us
Oh my Lord (This day will live forever)
Your very self you gave us
Oh my Lord (So praise the Lord)
That sin may not enslave us
And love may reign once more