My high school choir did (and still does) this song every single year at the Christmas concert. This is a favorite of everyone who listens and who sings it. It’s a beautiful song
I think people don't understand how difficult this song is to perform unless they have sung it themselves. I was blessed to perform this song twice with my college chorus, and there was NO sheet music. We were taught the same way song was passed on in Africa, by being sung our parts. It was an experience I'll never forget, and when we performed it there was about 30 seconds of silence before our audience erupted with applause. The Motab choir did an incredible job. I will always have a special place in my heart for this song!
The Polished Princess the song is very difficult I'm in 8th grade and we're singing thsi song at my Christmas concert 7-12th grade and the song is very pretty
I'm Haitian, a son of Africa and like the drumming with the tam tam and other traditional music instruments. When I see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing this nigerian traditional Christmas song I say they are soooooo professional! I live my favorite choir more and more ... I hope that my choir, the Mormon Tabernacle will sing very soon one of the Haitian traditional song!!! Great job MOTAB!!! God bless you!!!
Very very well arranged and executed. This rendition is very much in the Yoruba tradition with the percussion and ponderous melodic voices. WOW!!! The timing, energy and liveliness couldn't be more spot on. Only thing missing is the colourful Yoruba traditional outfit. As a member of the Church this wonderful choir represents - I am very proud indeed. MoTab - O'hun yin ko ni gbe o
I 100% agree with you, Festus. I've performed this song as a child in both a children's ensemble and now in a teens ensemble. I had the honor of performing the tenor solo in both.
I NEVER get tired of hearing The Lord's Choir perfom this piece. When I performed it in a choir it was one of the most spiritual moments of my life. The drums, our movements, people screaming out in foreign languages... My spirit just left out of my body as I sang this song about the coming of Our Savior! The song transported me back to what it must have been like right before HE came. I hear the same urgency in our modern day Prophets. Truly we were saved for "such a time as this".
My choir at Lehi High actually sang this song. It was one of my favorite songs I ever sang in my choir years. And what's even more awesome, my choir teacher is a member of the Mormon Tabernacle choir. Love you Sister Covington!
I prefomed this song at my high school choir christmas show back in 2014 it was the best moment of my life now i've graduated from high school ahh memories :)
That was so--o--o--o cool! Thanks to the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for sharing this. And, hats off to you in the background who design and sew the women's dresses and give the men a grand look too--just TERRIFIC!
We sang this two years ago in our Stake Christmas Program. I wish they had given the translation to the words.. It moves me to tears every time. So joyful and happy, just as worship should be!
i havnt sung this song since high school and it was one of the most amazing experiances to be apart of. this brought me to squealing tears i love this so muchXD
For those that have been asking. This is a song in Yoruba language from Nigeria. LYRICS: Voice over: Bethlehemu Ah (refrain) Awa yi o ri baba gbojule (We have a father to rely on) Awa yi o ri baba feyin ti ( We have a father backing us) Nibo no bi Jesu, Nibo no bi isi (Where was Jesus born, where was he delivered) Bethlehemu Ah, Ibe na bi i si Bethlehemu Ah,ibe na bi baba to daju (Bethlehem is where he was born, Bethlehem is where the really sure father is born) Fi fi iyin fun o o o , Adupe fun o,Adupe fun o, adupe fun baba orun baba olore o( Give him praise, give Him praise, we praise you, we praise you heavenly father, the one that does good) Fiyin fun baba,Fiyin fun baba, Fiyin fun baba orun, baba to dawa si. (Praise the Father 2x praise the heavenly father who kept us alive
Thank you for the translation - I just heard this beautiful song last night at our Stake Carol Concert and it filled my heart with joy! I didn't understand the traditional words but I could feel the Spirit in the strong & joyful singers. Now I will ponder the lyrics as I keep this hymn in my heart. Merry Christmas! :)
Oh man, I´m not tired to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to sing "Betelehemu", I love it!!!! Here is the lyrics, Betelehemu (Bethlehem) Awa yo, a ri Baba gb’ojule (We rejoice for we have a trustworthy father) Awa yo, a ri Baba f’eyin ti (We rejoice for we have? a dependable father) (repeat) Ni bo labe Jesu? (Where was Jesus born) Ni bo labe bisi? (Where was he born?) (Repeat) Betelehemu iluwa la, (Bethlehem, city of wonder) Ni bo labe Baba o daju (That is where Father was born) Inyi, inyi, furo (Praise, praise, be to Him) Adupe fun o, jooni, (We thank you, today) Baba olo reo (Gracious Father)
That's the first time I saw the tabernacle choir dance and i loved it for me it was a very awesome moment of pleasure to see them doing this show. Very awesome!!!!!!
Great memories of Topeka High Robed Choir, every year for our Christmas concert. The seniors would sing the solo, and my senior year I did it behind happy yet sad tears. And now, I sing along as an alumni!
My church choir did this number last year for the Christmas Eve service and the congregation just went crazy ! It has been requested that we do it again this year !
Jess Caron Hahaha, they did pronounce it well :) "gb" is pretty hard for most children to pronounce nowadays, even among the Yoruba children. Did you enjoy singing it in school?
I LOVED IT! It was so energetic and full of unbridled joy, and we sang this at our holiday assembly the day school got out for Christmas vacation, and then I got home and my whole family was already at our house for Christmas, so it was a magical day, and singing this song is a key part of why.
Was so thrilled to see the choir in Indiannapolis last Friday, June 14. They certainly had fun with this song, and the crowd loved it. Well, the crowd loved EVERY song, of course. Thank you so much for choosing the Midwest, especially Indy, for this trip. It was the once in a lifetime chance for us to experience these miraculous voices in person!! What a joy! Bless you!!!
Very moving. Music shows respect for the city of Bethlehem. It is easy to catch the the Nigerian Saints joy for the birth of the Messiah of Israel and the Redeemer of Heavenly Father's repentant children.
Its about time the Mormon Tabernacle Choir got Africanised!!! gosh!! this is amazing!!! and the choir is.... moving.... lol. they NEVER so much as sneeze. hahaha!! this is legit!
+Renate Killian I know right! It is such a simple song too... basically I got a Daddy that I love and trust and I am so happy He sent Jesus His Son to save me. It is a fun song, but it goes right to the core.
A job very well done, they're cut offs were just flawless and I loved how even in that large of a choir there wasn't a single trip up. This is an epic piece of music being performed by an epic choir!
Ha - that must have been so enjoyable for the choir and orchestra to do. Something different and certainly a rousing song for our emerging African church membership.
This is so amazing! I saw them sing this on Monday, 6/17, at the Milwaukee Theatre! Just took my breath away! It was visually stunning as well as soul stirring musically - fantastic job! Just LOVE it!! Thank you!
Excelente música y que maravilloso escuchar temas de otros continentes con este grandioso coro, me emocione cuando el coro se movió acompañando a la música. Es un coro dirigido e interpretado por personas maravillosas inspiradas divinamente.
I wish I could see this choir perform that song in front of a Nigerian audience. I'd bet that long before the end of the piece the entire audience would be up dancing and cheering for the choir. My choir recently toured Ghana, and that was a common occurrence. :)
Wow! Incroyable! J'ai été touché directement au coeur! Rafraichissant de voir le MTC dans cette prestation inhabituelle. Qui peut maintenant douter du caractère international de ce Choeur? Wow! Awesome! I was touched directly to the heart. It is so refreshing to see the MTC in this unusual performance. Nobody can now doubt of the international aspect of this Choir!.
My middle school choir teacher is in the tabernacle choir and we got to sing this song in 8th grade and it was sooo much fun to learn and I love it so much :))
There is not enough wonderful words in the world to express just how much I LOVED this! Thank you guys, you always know how to stop me in my tracks. Keep up the most blessed work you do.
BYU mens choir sang this choir and I had gotten the tape. When I heard the choir sang it I had to their C.D. I love this song and other songs like it. The choir does a tremendous job at their singing. Keep it up. I love all of the songs and people that puts so much work into the choir.
MOTAB!! Shame on you for holding out on us!! Fantastic!! Keep the choir MOVING!! Looks like they enjoyed it very much... especially the drummers. FINALLY they (and the men) got their rightful place up front and leading. Hope to see more of it.
Haven't a clue what they are saying but I LOVE this song. I have it on one of my Christmas DVD's of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Play it EVERY Christmas..... many times.
I sung this in high school choir. The language is so beautiful to sing. As far as the translations of the song, they were rough and kinda hard to interpret. But the general theme of this song is Sunshine :) ☀️ oh and Bethlehem lol
Espectacular, pero que hermosa canción, estupenda canción, son espectaculares, cada voz, la armonía de las voces, los instrumentos, excelente, realmente es un verdadero espectáculo.
The most riveting performance/recording of ‘Betelehemu’ you’ll ever hear is from Reference Recordings RR-61 CD ‘Postcards’ with Turtle Creek Chorale, .a 200-voice male choir conducted by Timothy Seelig recorded July 25-26 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Centre, Dallas Texas. Thank you Marcia Martin.
oh my gosh the pit looks like they're having so much fun!!! anyway my friend came to iowa with the Evangel college choir and they performed this and i just had to find it again!!! in love with this song!
My choir is doing this for our Christmas concert this year and I get to add on harmonies to that solo that my friend has and it just such a good piece to sing
I'm Nigerian and I can't believe what a great job they did with the language. It was absolutely awesome. Loved it
My high school choir did (and still does) this song every single year at the Christmas concert. This is a favorite of everyone who listens and who sings it. It’s a beautiful song
so does mine
Same and I love it it’s a little hard at first but when finishes it sounds beautiful
I think people don't understand how difficult this song is to perform unless they have sung it themselves. I was blessed to perform this song twice with my college chorus, and there was NO sheet music. We were taught the same way song was passed on in Africa, by being sung our parts. It was an experience I'll never forget, and when we performed it there was about 30 seconds of silence before our audience erupted with applause. The Motab choir did an incredible job. I will always have a special place in my heart for this song!
I agree, this song is very VERY hard, It's right up there with the Mack Wilberg arrangement of Cindy, which is 40 pages and a 8-12 part harmony
The Polished Princess yeah my class is currently learning this with just two weeks until we perform and it's pretty difficult but we're managing
My high school has done this song multiple times and they do it so well I love it
The Polished Princess the song is very difficult I'm in 8th grade and we're singing thsi song at my Christmas concert 7-12th grade and the song is very pretty
I thought it was one of the easiest songs I've had to learn
I'm Haitian, a son of Africa and like the drumming with the tam tam and other traditional music instruments.
When I see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing this nigerian traditional Christmas song I say they are soooooo professional!
I live my favorite choir more and more ...
I hope that my choir, the Mormon Tabernacle will sing very soon one of the Haitian traditional song!!!
Great job MOTAB!!!
God bless you!!!
Very very well arranged and executed. This rendition is very much in the Yoruba tradition with the percussion and ponderous melodic voices. WOW!!! The timing, energy and liveliness couldn't be more spot on. Only thing missing is the colourful Yoruba traditional outfit. As a member of the Church this wonderful choir represents - I am very proud indeed. MoTab - O'hun yin ko ni gbe o
I 100% agree with you, Festus. I've performed this song as a child in both a children's ensemble and now in a teens ensemble. I had the honor of performing the tenor solo in both.
We did the same thing--song and dance at our chorus but this version is 100x better!
I NEVER get tired of hearing The Lord's Choir perfom this piece. When I performed it in a choir it was one of the most spiritual moments of my life. The drums, our movements, people screaming out in foreign languages... My spirit just left out of my body as I sang this song about the coming of Our Savior! The song transported me back to what it must have been like right before HE came. I hear the same urgency in our modern day Prophets. Truly we were saved for "such a time as this".
My choir at Lehi High actually sang this song. It was one of my favorite songs I ever sang in my choir years. And what's even more awesome, my choir teacher is a member of the Mormon Tabernacle choir. Love you Sister Covington!
Cool!
I prefomed this song at my high school choir christmas show back in 2014 it was the best moment of my life now i've graduated from high school ahh memories :)
I felt the impression of the Holy Spirit while listening to this song, I cried. I feel blessed for being part of this amazing and inspired church.
I felt the same way too, this song is powerful
Goose bumps! Foreigners praising God in my language! Awesome.
I remember singing this for my high school choir Christmas concert! Awww the memories.
wow!!!! I have never seen so many white people singing in my mother tongue!!! It is so beautiful!!!!!!!
My school is doin this song this year!!!!
Dylan Crawford me too today is when it's happening
Wow, is it your mother tongue? it's amazing... What's it called?
My high school did this so many years ago :D Good times
ponmile egbedayo o
I LOVE the way the Tabernacle Choir sings this song, and their smiles and dancing. I listen to it again and again. It's beautiful.
Amazing! I am a Yoruba lady, this choir wow! me. God bless you. You are really a pro in your ministry
That was so--o--o--o cool! Thanks to the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for sharing this. And, hats off to you in the background who design and sew the women's dresses and give the men a grand look too--just TERRIFIC!
It is amazing!!!! I had a chance the watch in live!!! Unbelievable ! !! I love this gospel!!!
Not enough words to express my appreciation to this wonderful number!
This song has to crack my top 10 faves. Not to mention, it teaches the world's most valuable lesson and the world's most valuable person.
We sang this two years ago in our Stake Christmas Program. I wish they had given the translation to the words.. It moves me to tears every time. So joyful and happy, just as worship should be!
I love, love, love this piece. I've sung it twice with my community choir (Payson Choral Society, Payson, Arizona).
i havnt sung this song since high school and it was one of the most amazing experiances to be apart of. this brought me to squealing tears i love this so muchXD
Goose pimple all over me now; listening to this beautiful rendition in my local dialect
One of my most favorite choir songs and this is done perfectly!
For those that have been asking. This is a song in Yoruba language from Nigeria.
LYRICS: Voice over: Bethlehemu Ah (refrain) Awa yi o ri baba gbojule (We have a father to rely on) Awa yi o ri baba feyin ti ( We have a father backing us) Nibo no bi Jesu, Nibo no bi isi (Where was Jesus born, where was he delivered) Bethlehemu Ah, Ibe na bi i si Bethlehemu Ah,ibe na bi baba to daju (Bethlehem is where he was born, Bethlehem is where the really sure father is born) Fi fi iyin fun o o o , Adupe fun o,Adupe fun o, adupe fun baba orun baba olore o( Give him praise, give Him praise, we praise you, we praise you heavenly father, the one that does good) Fiyin fun baba,Fiyin fun baba, Fiyin fun baba orun, baba to dawa si. (Praise the Father 2x praise the heavenly father who kept us alive
Thank you, it's beautiful!!!!
Thank you for the translation - I just heard this beautiful song last night at our Stake Carol Concert and it filled my heart with joy! I didn't understand the traditional words but I could feel the Spirit in the strong & joyful singers. Now I will ponder the lyrics as I keep this hymn in my heart. Merry Christmas! :)
Oh man, I´m not tired to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to sing "Betelehemu", I love it!!!!
Here is the lyrics,
Betelehemu (Bethlehem)
Awa yo, a ri Baba gb’ojule (We rejoice for we have a trustworthy father)
Awa yo, a ri Baba f’eyin ti (We rejoice for we have? a dependable father)
(repeat)
Ni bo labe Jesu? (Where was Jesus born)
Ni bo labe bisi? (Where was he born?)
(Repeat)
Betelehemu iluwa la, (Bethlehem, city of wonder)
Ni bo labe Baba o daju (That is where Father was born)
Inyi, inyi, furo (Praise, praise, be to Him)
Adupe fun o, jooni, (We thank you, today)
Baba olo reo (Gracious Father)
Padre
That's the first time I saw the tabernacle choir dance and i loved it for me it was a very awesome moment of pleasure to see them doing this show. Very awesome!!!!!!
Great memories of Topeka High Robed Choir, every year for our Christmas concert. The seniors would sing the solo, and my senior year I did it behind happy yet sad tears. And now, I sing along as an alumni!
My church choir did this number last year for the Christmas Eve service and the congregation just went crazy ! It has been requested that we do it again this year !
Wow!!! My native carol well rendered in my native language by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir :)
+Akindele Akinwumi Abiodun How did they do with pronouncing "gb"? I sang this in high school and nobody knew how to do "gb".
Jess Caron Hahaha, they did pronounce it well :)
"gb" is pretty hard for most children to pronounce nowadays, even among the Yoruba children. Did you enjoy singing it in school?
+Akindele Akinwumi Abiodun Can you show a video on how to pronounce the gb?
I LOVED IT! It was so energetic and full of unbridled joy, and we sang this at our holiday assembly the day school got out for Christmas vacation, and then I got home and my whole family was already at our house for Christmas, so it was a magical day, and singing this song is a key part of why.
I can't believe my native language is being used for a carol song 😮😮
Wow! Rock out rock on TAB choir! This is an all-time favorite sing I sang it in college choir. Well done! I always loooove the percussion
I get to sing this at my high school choir concert this year and I’m so happy because it’s my favorite song out of the 8 songs i get to sing
Was so thrilled to see the choir in Indiannapolis last Friday, June 14. They certainly had fun with this song, and the crowd loved it. Well, the crowd loved EVERY song, of course. Thank you so much for choosing the Midwest, especially Indy, for this trip. It was the once in a lifetime chance for us to experience these miraculous voices in person!! What a joy! Bless you!!!
Very moving. Music shows respect for the city of Bethlehem. It is easy to catch the the Nigerian Saints joy for the birth of the Messiah of Israel and the Redeemer of Heavenly Father's repentant children.
Best choir in the world, hearing you sing make me imagine how heaven will be ...
Its about time the Mormon Tabernacle Choir got Africanised!!! gosh!! this is amazing!!! and the choir is.... moving.... lol. they NEVER so much as sneeze. hahaha!! this is legit!
I envision this a glimpse of what is part of reperatoire of heavenly choirs. God bless you Tabernacle Choir.
I LOVE THIS, CAN'T GET ENOUGH !!!!
+Renate Killian I know right! It is such a simple song too... basically I got a Daddy that I love and trust and I am so happy He sent Jesus His Son to save me. It is a fun song, but it goes right to the core.
A job very well done, they're cut offs were just flawless and I loved how even in that large of a choir there wasn't a single trip up. This is an epic piece of music being performed by an epic choir!
Ha - that must have been so enjoyable for the choir and orchestra to do. Something different and certainly a rousing song for our emerging African church membership.
This song makes me so happy!
+Chloe Macdonald Me too!
This is so amazing! I saw them sing this on Monday, 6/17, at the Milwaukee Theatre! Just took my breath away! It was visually stunning as well as soul stirring musically - fantastic job! Just LOVE it!! Thank you!
It's so perfect. I love The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Mack Wilberg is an excellent man. Oh my gosh, god bless you. Thank a lot.
😘😘😘😘
A time for the rhythm section to shine. Every percussionist has his/her day.
I absolutely LOVE this soloist!! I love this song. I love the Tabernacle Choir!!!
I love Africa and the African people, their music and culture!
Sang this in my college University choir last year. This song just makes you smile. :)
Excelente música y que maravilloso escuchar temas de otros continentes con este grandioso coro, me emocione cuando el coro se movió acompañando a la música. Es un coro dirigido e interpretado por personas maravillosas inspiradas divinamente.
I wish I could see this choir perform that song in front of a Nigerian audience. I'd bet that long before the end of the piece the entire audience would be up dancing and cheering for the choir. My choir recently toured Ghana, and that was a common occurrence. :)
Ok, that solo is killin me. So, so good.
Wow! Incroyable! J'ai été touché directement au coeur! Rafraichissant de voir le MTC dans cette prestation inhabituelle. Qui peut maintenant douter du caractère international de ce Choeur?
Wow! Awesome! I was touched directly to the heart. It is so refreshing to see the MTC in this unusual performance. Nobody can now doubt of the international aspect of this Choir!.
My middle school choir teacher is in the tabernacle choir and we got to sing this song in 8th grade and it was sooo much fun to learn and I love it so much :))
There is not enough wonderful words in the world to express just how much I LOVED this! Thank you guys, you always know how to stop me in my tracks. Keep up the most blessed work you do.
BYU mens choir sang this choir and I had gotten the tape. When I heard the choir sang it I had to their C.D. I love this song and other songs like it. The choir does a tremendous job at their singing. Keep it up. I love all of the songs and people that puts so much work into the choir.
MOTAB!! Shame on you for holding out on us!! Fantastic!! Keep the choir MOVING!! Looks like they enjoyed it very much... especially the drummers. FINALLY they (and the men) got their rightful place up front and leading. Hope to see more of it.
Já assisti muitas vezes, não tem como não se emocionar. Existe força e poder, maravilhoso!
Wonderful! I loved it live much better! 6/17/2013 with all my 5 kids! They were mesmerized! Thank you for coming to Milwaukee!
I love this song!! I see some very beautiful ladies in the video also! And the men and women's voices are astounding!
That soloist knocked it out of the park!!👍👍👍
Haven't a clue what they are saying but I LOVE this song. I have it on one of my Christmas DVD's of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Play it EVERY Christmas..... many times.
I sung this in high school choir. The language is so beautiful to sing. As far as the translations of the song, they were rough and kinda hard to interpret. But the general theme of this song is Sunshine :) ☀️ oh and Bethlehem lol
Just sang this at a concert, this is a lovely song.
Espectacular, pero que hermosa canción, estupenda canción, son espectaculares, cada voz, la armonía de las voces, los instrumentos, excelente, realmente es un verdadero espectáculo.
Oh my goodness, I sang this in choir a few years ago, and just hearing it again, especially by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir... It's just so awesome!
Well put together .......respect Late Pa Babatunde Olatunji
The most riveting performance/recording of ‘Betelehemu’ you’ll ever hear is from Reference Recordings RR-61 CD ‘Postcards’ with Turtle Creek Chorale, .a 200-voice male choir conducted by Timothy Seelig recorded July 25-26 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Centre, Dallas Texas. Thank you Marcia Martin.
more of cultures . so beautiful thank you to see smiles and fun
Terrific! Wish someone would post all the songs from that concert. Kathleen Battle was outstanding! Especially in Angels in their Realms of Glory.
We're glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for coming to the show!
Simply amazing! I am so grateful for the talents of all those involved with the choir and orchestra. Thank you!
Absolutely one of my favorite songs to see performed! Beautiful!
AMAZING JOB!! Love the solo
So beautiful watching many people(whites) sing in my mother tongue. This is lovely!
oh my gosh the pit looks like they're having so much fun!!! anyway my friend came to iowa with the Evangel college choir and they performed this and i just had to find it again!!! in love with this song!
I sang this song when I was in choir at my high school:) I had so much fun singing this😊 Brings back memories❤️
this is so beautiful, brings the spirit of joy into ones heart. absolutely beautiful.
How I love this song! I was at their Concert In Rotterdam (The Netherlands) AWESOME!!!
My choir is doing this for our Christmas concert this year and I get to add on harmonies to that solo that my friend has and it just such a good piece to sing
great performance, I saw the boardcast while I was serving as a Missionary.
I love it!
This one took my breath away!! BEAUTIFUL!
That was soo soo great. It is very exciting to see the choir go international
in the songs they present. Loving hearing them on Utube!
I've been enjoying MoTab under the radar, but I want to say "Wow!" and Thank You!
Wow! This is incredible! And notice the precision of the singers. So lovely.
Love the positive energy!
Im so happy to be singing this song in my schools choir.
Super!!! Thank God for this worderful Music
I sang this like 20 years ago for my HS Choir when we went to all state. Still my favorite XMas song.
Wonderful. Glorious. Rapturous. We couldn't have done it better. Well done!
We are going to sing this in my choir for Christmas and I am so excited!
God bless this choir beyond measures.....i love it
that's a lot of work!! awesome. god bless u #LDs from tahiti
hah goteeeemm
I just sang this song for my Christmas choir concert c:
THIS IS STUNNING!
wow. nice music. in my language but i heard this song now for the first time. great job.
Every song you do is awesome! I love watching your Sunday programs and well anytime I can. I have several of your DVDs Many Many Thanks
This is absolutely awesome....They made me fall in love with my dialect more and more...Thank you so much...
Beautiful! I'm doing this with my school for a Christmas concert 😃
This is just amazing! Loved it!
I really love it. Thank You for the amazing song.
The enthusiasm itself gave me chills
I love this song and how much fun it looks like they are having with it.
I’m in the middle school choir chamber women and we are singing this song for our Christmas concert