Amy Grant and Chris Eaton: The Story of Breath of Heaven

Kelly Clarkson has performed a rendition of Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song), a holiday classic made famous by Amy Grant. The performance, which took place on Easter, was highlighted by American Songwriter for its emotional impact.

Origins and Composition of Breath of Heaven

The song was originally penned by English songwriter Chris Eaton under the title Breath of Heaven. In its original form, the song contained no references to Christmas or the nativity story. Eaton’s own version of the track appeared on his 1995 album, Wonderful World.

Amy Grant decided to record the song for her holiday album, Home for Christmas, which was released in 1992. To personalize the track, Grant requested to rewrite the verses to shift the perspective to that of a woman.

Grant has stated that her own experience of being pregnant at the time served as inspiration as she attempted to imagine the experience of Mary. She described the chorus as authentic and perfectly written due to its moving economy of words.

The recording process was efficient, with the song being captured essentially within one take. The production was handled by Brown Bannister, with Shane Keister providing the piano accompaniment.

Thematic Depth and Legacy

Lyrically, the song portrays Mary as a frightened young girl navigating the circumstances of giving birth to the son of the Holy Father. It focuses on the vulnerability of a woman chosen for an extraordinary calling, framing faith as trust formed in weakness rather than confidence without doubt.

Grant later expanded on the song’s meaning in a 2001 book also titled Breath of Heaven. In the release of the book, she noted that the intimate nature of the tune transformed it into a prayer and a cry of mercy that could fit many different people’s circumstances.

While it was never released as a commercial single, the song has evolved into a modern Christmas classic. It is frequently performed in concerts, holiday broadcasts, and churches, and has been covered by various artists across different genres.

Chris Eaton’s Contribution

Beyond his work on this track, Chris Eaton is recognized for writing UK hit singles for Cliff Richard. His songwriting credits include:

• Little Town
• Saviour’s Day
• Santa’s List