I am of the opinion that in the pop song ‘Hallelujah,’ this is the ‘secret chord’ and the ‘David’ mentioned is *not* the psalmist but is, in fact, Sir Willcocks.
my boyfriend gave me a christmas card many years ago this song was on it i still have the christmas card and i still play it after all this time i still cry when ever i play it cant help it i love the song and i always will my boyfriend passed away in 1996 i still miss him a lot and always will thank god i had a lot of happy years with him he had MS
SamAlexa I fervently agree! Sir David's arrangements and the King's College Choir made an Anglophile out of me in 1994. BTW today is his birthday. I sent a balloon to heaven for him.
@@robholloway6829 The Church of England is heading quickly toward oblivion... What will it be next? A mosque, perhaps? That will be a real show of diversity.
Mikee758 I agree! All of Sir David's arrangements are too good for just the Christmas season. And BTW I feel that way about O Little Town of Bethlehem (tune FOREST GREEN) as well.
Stephen Cleobury RIP wonderful Choir and Master 1982-2019. SC 1948-2019. Wonderful he will be missed by those who knew him in Kings and the City of Cambridge.
And by those who knew him outside Cambridge as well. I was honored with shaking hands with Dr. Cleobury and Dr. Jessop during the former’s endearing, unforgettable visit to Logan, UT. The friendship between the two Maestros made this happen, and I was blessed to be there ❤
Just stunning, for almost 30 years I have never got to the end of this arrangement without shedding a tear or being covered in goose pimples. The harmony in the penultimate verse is beyond perfect and fills me with emotion every single time. Nothing touches the soul like beautiful music.
Hannah Raven it takes me back to school too where I first sang it as a boy treble. Even today as a Director of Music at Church, I have a terrible job not singing the descant and makes me cry as well.
O come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him Born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens Of heaven above; Glory to God, Glory in the highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be All glory given; Son of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
Soy uruguayo, sudamericano. No domino el idioma inglés. Soy cristiano católico. Y debo decirles que en ninguna liturgia católica he visto ni oído una asamblea que cantara como en esta Misa en la Abadía de Westminster. Es maravilloso cómo el coro de los niños completa el canto de la feligresía con una melodía armónica con la melodía principal. Es bellísimo todo, y con un video muy artístico. Fraternales saludos desde Uruguay.
Afortunadamente en mi comunidad (también soy cristiana católica) se han rescatado demasiadas piezas y Adeste Fideles es una de ellas. De hecho soy parte del coro y me enorgullece ofrecer mi canto en este tipo de liturgias.
bornforbanning I can't fly because my ears pop badly. Otherwise I would have been to Cambridge in 2015 for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in memory of Sir David. It was his arrangements that made me an Anglophile. I have been an Anglophile since 1994, and a pipe dreamer (enthusiastic amateur organist) since 1994.
Any other arrangements of this carol should be banned. They will all strive and fail to reach the magnificence of David Willcock's arrangement. "Word"!
+Burke Reed It is wonderful. I play the descant on D Trumpet every year at Midnight Mass. Choir and congregation in full voice, Organ with all the stops out and the Trumpet sounding the descants... gets me every time.
You aren't kidding. Our new hymnal, for some reason, eliminated this verse and ends on the descant verse. The unison verse with "the chord" always gives me chills and brings a tear or two to my eye. I play this on the piano almost every day during advent, and I promise I have the harmonies of the 4th verse completely ingrained. Including "the chord."
I really likes this choir, very wonderful voices. They are singing a song for our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless all of you. Merry Christmas. From Eddy Anak Laga Anglican Church Diocese of West Malaysia. Malaysia.
My favorite things about anglican church music: the descant and interesting last verse reharmonizations. A good organist can really have fun with the latter.
Oh, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the king of angels: Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Highest, most holy, Light of light eternal, Born of a virgin, A mortal he comes; Son of the Father Now in flesh appearing! Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. God of gods, light of light Lo, He abhors not the Virgin's womb Very God, Begotten not created Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. See how the shepherds, Summoned to His cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze We too will thither Bend our hearts' oblations Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God In the highest: Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing! Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. I wish #MeavNiMhaolchatha, #ChloeAgnew, #LisaKelly, #OrlaFallon, #MaireadNesbitt, #HayleyWestenra, #SarahBrightman, #KatherineJenkins, #AledJones, #EllenWilliams, #CarmenMonarcha, #MirusiaLouwerse, #CarlaMaffioletti, #AnnaMajchrzak, #RussellWatson, #AndreRieu, #SimonRattle #LondonSymphonyOrchestra, #BerlinerPhilharmoniker and the #CelticWoman team will be singing #OComeAllYeFaithful.
+Katie Ross In performance verses are often omitted, either because the hymn is too long in its entirety or because the words are unsuitable for the day on which they are sung. For example the eighth anonymous verse is only sung on Epiphany, if at all; while the last verse of the original is normally reserved for Christmas Midnight Mass, Mass at Dawn or Mass During the Day.In the United Kingdom and United States it is often sung today in an arrangement by Sir David Willcocks, which was originally published in 1961 by Oxford University Press in the first book in the Carols for Choirs series. This arrangement makes use of the basic harmonisation from The English Hymnal but adds a soprano descant in verse six (verse three in the original) with its reharmonised organ accompaniment, and a last verse harmonisation in verse seven (verse four in the original), which is sung in unison. From Wiki I hope this will be of help. Merry Christmas!
This is an example of text painting. The hymn is in the key of G major. But listen closely to the text at the "weird" harmonization in the 3rd stanza. The text says, "word of the father, now in flesh appearing." It's a big deal right, Jesus is here, he has been spoken about in prophecy, but BOOM he's on earth now as a real person. To match the eureka moment, Willcocks uses common chords over the melody that are completely outside the tonality of G major. So the B half diminished 7 chord for 'Word" to an A minor second inversion right to E major to A minor to B major. It's really quite glorious writing.
My parents sadly gone now listen to this for decades every Christmas from when they were small in 1920s until they passed away Dad 2009 and Mum 2018 it is a family tradition to listen and later watch the Carols from Kings i shall again on the 24th Dec love the service the carols and the readings.
A lovely story about your parents David. I lost my dear dad & mum in 2013 and in 2017 respectively. Christmas is such a bitter sweet time but we carry those lovely memories, like the ones you have written about, with us and hopefully leave behind the same for our children, family and friends - like your mum and dad did with you. Merry Christmas.
We sang this today at my local parish church! I am so glad the music director is a fan of Sir David. I had been parish-hopping looking for a parish that was small or medium, and with a traditional repertoire, and finally found one a year ago. I had a great time singing their Nine Lessons and Carols today, which happens to be Sir David's birthday. How old would he be if he were alive? (Sorry, math is not my subject) I sent a birthday balloon to heaven for him. BTW I have memorized all the Willcocks descants.
simply a beautiful piece of music that hits you in the heart and sole and makes you feel good all over and makes life worth living each and every single day...
All of Sir David's arrangements make me feel that way, hit me in the heart and soul and give me a reason for living. That's why I'm an Anglophile (even though I am American and have no English relatives.) The hymn tune FOREST GREEN makes me feel that way too. And organ music does too. BTW my favorite female organist was named Fran. (Fran McDaniel 10/13/42 to 11/28/94.) I miss her so much.
As an American, many of our choirmasters try for a british sound and I agree it is incomparable. However, whether British or broad, the music sustains itself on its own terms. The choir and that magnificent organ, which I heard being tuned many years ago, cannot be equaled.
Interestingly this chant isn't British at all! It's Portuguese and the composer is King John IV of Portugal, a highly renowned composer in his days! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR ;-)
Correct! In Germany this "anthem/hymn" gets a "germanic touch", in Russia a "russian one" and maybe in China it's performed with a certain "chineseness"! So...? It's still Portuguese, regardless of any "nesses" of and in each country/culture performing it! Happy Christmas
Jon Goldney Not at all! Whether exclamation marks "are necessary" or not is a personal matter only! Now look who's making remarks about how one writes? Feeling tackled? B.t.w.: the sound isn't British at all! It's mere choral arrangement technique - a very good one, one must add! What's wrong is when the song is chracterised as "traditional" (i.e. no one knows wherefrom), which is WRONG!
Every year I'm moved to tears by this. Especially the penultimate verse, with the descant! Makes my hair stand on end every time. The sight of many singing in such a venue, led by a choir with the voices of angels.
God is in my life and whether he is in yours is something for you to decide but for sure much beautiful music was inspired by the love of God and the lessons that Jesus taught us. I love the descant to this hymn I used to sing it.
Very poignant and beautiful comment Edward.. God is certainly in my life, and one can only think that these beautiful hymns have been inspired by divinity and true faith.
@@donaldedward4951 here's an idea. Sing it in falsetto. My favorite choir director can sing falsetto. BTW I am female, but sometimes I get hoarse because of reflux and I drink extra water when I am going to sing a descant.
Please forgive my ignorance... but if it's King's "COLLEGE"... why are the soprano parts sung by boys that are a good 10 years away from ever seeing a razor? Seriously... I mean, by "college", I infer "post high-school", or, "older than 18 years of age". Does "college" mean something else in England? Really not trying to start a fight here; just looking to clear up some confusion on my part.
Jacqui Moran yep. That one unspeakably epic moment on "Word of the Father." The descant is glorious, but THAT CHORD is what has me goosebumpy every single time. Every. Time. Willcocks is a genius.
@1ExtraChrispy1 The younger members of the choir are educated in King's College School and receive scholarships from King's College. The younger boys are there to sing the soprano and alto parts of the songs as girls are not recruited into the choir (by tradition). King's College is one of the 31 colleges that forms the University of Cambridge.
Oh, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the king of angels: Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Highest, most holy, Light of light eternal, Born of a virgin, A mortal he comes; Son of the Father Now in flesh appearing! Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. God of gods, light of light Lo, He abhors not the Virgin's womb Very God, Begotten not created Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. See how the shepherds, Summoned to His cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze We too will thither Bend our hearts' oblations Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God In the highest: Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing! Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. I would love to hear Russell Watson, Aled Jones, Alfie Boe, Michael Ball, Vincent Niclo, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Frangoulis, Katherine Jenkins, Laura Wright, Sarah Brightman, Hayley Westenra, Charlotte Church, Carmen Monarcha, Andre Rieu, Carla Maffioletti, Kimmy Skota, Mairead Nesbitt, Orla Fallon, Meav Ni Mhaolchatha, Chloe Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Simon Rattle, Diane Bish, Mirusia Louwerse, Anna Majchrzak, Ellen Williams, London Symphony Orchestra, (Elisabeth Suzan Erens or Empress Sisi) Suzan Erens, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Celtic Woman team, Songs Of Praise team and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra will be singing the song O Come All Ye Faithful. It has got six verses. Here come the lyrics. #OComeAllYeFaithful #RussellWatson #AledJones #AlfieBoe #MichaelBall #VincentNiclo #AndreaBocelli #MarioFrangoulis #KatherineJenkins #LauraWright #SarahBrightman #HayleyWestenra #CharlotteChurch #CarmenMonarcha #AndreRieu #CarlaMaffioletti #KimmySkota #MaireadNesbitt #OrlaFallon #MeavNiMhaolchatha #ChloeAgnew #LisaKelly #SimonRattle #DianeBish #MirusiaLouwerse #AnnaMajchrzak #EllenWilliams #LondonSymphonyOrchestra #SingaporeSymphonyOrchestra #BerlinPhilharmonicOrchestra #CelticWoman #SongsOfPraise #RTENationalSymphonyOrchestra (#ElisabethSuzanErens or #EmpressSisi) #SuzanErens Written by John Francis Wade, Frederick Oakeley Music by Stephen Cleobury, John F. Wade's Cantus Diversi It's one of my favourites as seen on BBC's Songs Of Praise, (#SongsOfPraise) Celtic Woman (#CelticWoman) and NPO 2 and EO's Nederland Zingt. (#NederlandZingt)
If Katherine Jenkins was a Celtic Woman fanatic, she can sing O Come All Ye Faithful on BBC’s Songs Of Praise which broadcasts on Sunday 19th December. Do you agree?
10 років тому+1
Istenem; e falak között állhattam több éve, vagy 2 órán át, s hallgathattam e kórust. "Testben-e, vagy testen kívül, -nem tudom," mert szédületes élmény volt. Most ezt újra átélhettem...
I *tried* flying *once.* (Years ago with my family on vacation.) My poor ears pipped and popped. That's why I am not able to ever go to England (no matter how much I love it.) What a shame because it would be my "pipe dream" (I am an enthusiastic amateur organist) come true to see the King's College Choir. 👍👏They're the best choir in the world!👍👏
Music. All day today. Of course I'm singing Alto, soprano, tenor and bass...my old lady voice can now hit the low bass....and i try to hit the high soprano notes....but nothing comes out for that highest note...Sure do miss my mom n dad n brothers n sisters n grandparents...who gave us the gift of music. I think music is the highest expression of God! 12-08-2019
Growing up in a Canadian Low Anglican church the one thing I loved about Sunday Services were the hymns and the organ and singing but I didn't realize how special it was till I grew up and married a Catholic . What a difference . I sure was much luckier than I realized at the time .
All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Merry Christmas, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Your whole family, friend, acquaintances & all of the U.K. for the beautiful choirs of Your Highness, Queen Elizabeth Ii, the Traditional Love in the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.+++
"Adeste Fideles" was once known as the Portuguese Hymn, after the Duke of Leeds heard it being sung at the Portuguese embassy in London in 1795. However, the translation he heard was very different from the hymn that John Francis Wade had published over 40 years earlier, in 1751. There have been several claims as to the hymn's beginnings, the earliest being Italian Franciscan monk, St Bonaventure, in the 13th century. Wikipedia: "Besides John Francis Wade, the tune has been purported to be written by several musicians, from John Reading and his son to Handel and even Gluck, including the Portuguese composers Marcos Portugal or the king John IV of Portugal himself. Thomas Arne, whom Wade knew, is another possible composer... it can be hard to determine whether these were written in imitation of the hymn, the hymn was based on them, or they are totally unconnected."
Hard to Imagine even the Angels of Bethlehem singing more beautifully (I know the Angels did, but hard to imagine what that would even sound like, all these hymns, including this, are so good!)
Martin Putt Ever since I first heard the King's College Choir on the radio (in 1994), I am always geared up for Christmas, regardless of the time of year. And they made an Anglophile out of me. The King's College Choir and Sir David's arrangements are the best!👍👍
I didn't realize arr. stood for arrangement, so when I clicked on it, I thought this was like the pirate version or something.. but now I know... hahaha
O Come All Ye Faithful Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. O Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word. Give to our Father glory in the Highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
I don’t understand why they always play the ‘yea lord we greet thee’ verse like that with no harmony at the start. Is it just to give it its own identity?
Outside of Anglo-American Countries this beautiful Christmas song is better known as "Adeste Fideles" - nevertheless a great presentation by the King's College Choir!
3:37, the famous “Word” chord. Absolutely ingenious writing. Chills every time.
Absolutely.
Amen
I am of the opinion that in the pop song ‘Hallelujah,’ this is the ‘secret chord’ and the ‘David’ mentioned is *not* the psalmist but is, in fact, Sir Willcocks.
it's just a half dim 7, Wagner used it everywhere
@@ashleythorpe7933 perhaps its just where you USE IT.
my boyfriend gave me a christmas card many years ago this song was on it i still have the christmas card and i still play it after all this time i still cry when ever i play it cant help it i love the song and i always will my boyfriend passed away in 1996 i still miss him a lot and always will thank god i had a lot of happy years with him he had MS
+AlwaysPrisms Prayers friend. :)
Prayers for you :)
God bless you .
Merry Christmas to you and your boyfriend.
So sorry - carry the memories high. Merry Christmas.
That descant is just sublime.
Goosebumps! Takes me back to my old school choir where I sang the descant and still remember it now!
The acoustics.. The voices. The training and direction the beauty of Jesus's birth sung from the heart.. Praise be to the Lord Jesus.. Amazing.
Merry Christmas Mom and Dad. I love and miss you both so much. Rest with the Angels. Until I see you both again.
Love,
The Brat
God bless you...
@@SpLcSherilyn and May he bless you as well!
Merry Christmas!
Something about Christmas carols being sung by amazing choirs in atmospheric Gothic cathedrals that just gets to you.
SamAlexa I fervently agree! Sir David's arrangements and the King's College Choir made an Anglophile out of me in 1994. BTW today is his birthday. I sent a balloon to heaven for him.
The Anglicans just do it better than anyone.
A once Catholic church..
@@Fendervana and, thankfully, converted to the Anglican communion.
@@robholloway6829 The Church of England is heading quickly toward oblivion... What will it be next? A mosque, perhaps? That will be a real show of diversity.
Far too good to keep only for Christmas. 🎧 😇 ✨
Mikee758 I agree! All of Sir David's arrangements are too good for just the Christmas season. And BTW I feel that way about O Little Town of Bethlehem (tune FOREST GREEN) as well.
So true! Be blessed brother in Christ, Shalom💛
🙌
FANTASTIC! Warming up for Christmas.
Wonderful ❣️!
Stephen Cleobury RIP wonderful Choir and Master 1982-2019. SC 1948-2019. Wonderful he will be missed by those who knew him in Kings and the City of Cambridge.
Who is that
@@kathakolimukherjee8485 Cleobury was the choir Master of Kings for many years - where this was recorded
RIP Stephen Cleobury great conductor for the boy and men choir
And by those who knew him outside Cambridge as well. I was honored with shaking hands with Dr. Cleobury and Dr. Jessop during the former’s endearing, unforgettable visit to Logan, UT. The friendship between the two Maestros made this happen, and I was blessed to be there ❤
Wonderful singing the praises of Jesus Christ in this Christmas season - the reason for Christmas !
Amen
Just stunning, for almost 30 years I have never got to the end of this arrangement without shedding a tear or being covered in goose pimples. The harmony in the penultimate verse is beyond perfect and fills me with emotion every single time. Nothing touches the soul like beautiful music.
Hannah Raven it takes me back to school too where I first sang it as a boy treble. Even today as a Director of Music at Church, I have a terrible job not singing the descant and makes me cry as well.
Alas. It's been so long since I was a soprano but I so much want to sing the descant.
Alan Stewart When I can I still give it a damn good go :) lol
Love the Flat 9 at "Word of the Father..." This may be the best moment in choral music anywhere.
Alan Stewart sing it in falsetto. One of my choir director friends sings falsetto beautifully.
The Willcocks' descants to "Hark the Herald" and "O Come All Ye Faithful!" Perfect!
Absolutely!
Ian McKinnon *all* the Willcocks arrangements are *perfect,* and so is RVW's hymn tune FOREST GREEN.
Sir David's arrangements made an Anglophile out of me. I have been an Anglophile since 1994.
Those are my favorites
Very nice.. can't beat good material 🇬🇧
O come all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye,
O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens
Of heaven above;
Glory to God,
Glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be
All glory given;
Son of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.
Soy uruguayo, sudamericano. No domino el idioma inglés. Soy cristiano católico. Y debo decirles que en ninguna liturgia católica he visto ni oído una asamblea que cantara como en esta Misa en la Abadía de Westminster. Es maravilloso cómo el coro de los niños completa el canto de la feligresía con una melodía armónica con la melodía principal. Es bellísimo todo, y con un video muy artístico. Fraternales saludos desde Uruguay.
Afortunadamente en mi comunidad (también soy cristiana católica) se han rescatado demasiadas piezas y Adeste Fideles es una de ellas. De hecho soy parte del coro y me enorgullece ofrecer mi canto en este tipo de liturgias.
17 Sept 2015. Requiescat in pace, Sir David. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without this arrangement.
+KozenaFan So many of us feel the same way about it!
+Tinkaluisa Indeed!
+bornforbanning I am chartreuse with envy! Have a great time!
bornforbanning I can't fly because my ears pop badly. Otherwise I would have been to Cambridge in 2015 for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in memory of Sir David. It was his arrangements that made me an Anglophile. I have been an Anglophile since 1994, and a pipe dreamer (enthusiastic amateur organist) since 1994.
Absolutely! BTW today is his birthday! I sent a balloon to heaven for him.
Any other arrangements of this carol should be banned. They will all strive and fail to reach the magnificence of David Willcock's arrangement. "Word"!
I cannot analyze his composition musically, but it sure touches my heart. I adore HIM all through the year, My Lord and my GOD.
Myrna De Perio LaFauci amen, alleluia! The joy of Christmas and the triumph of this music should be with us all year and all our lives.
You don’t have to! Singing involves risk! Just listen and sing your best! God bless!
This is got to be one of human beings highest accomplishments!
One of my favourite Christmas carols.
Gorgeous!!! Just beautiful!!! I've always loved the descant in this Christmas hymn. It brings me to tears. King's College Choir is the best.
Mesmerizing Musical takes you Higher and above
bless descants! Fantastic piece. It isn't Christmas without this piece.
+Burke Reed It is wonderful. I play the descant on D Trumpet every year at Midnight Mass. Choir and congregation in full voice, Organ with all the stops out and the Trumpet sounding the descants... gets me every time.
You both are so right! 👍Sir David's arrangements are the best!
I could listen to this all year. One of my favourite Christmas songs
I used to love singing descants in my choir.
3:37 = "THE Chord"!!
Yes indeed “THE chord”. But on my you tube it is at 3.40
yes.
You aren't kidding. Our new hymnal, for some reason, eliminated this verse and ends on the descant verse. The unison verse with "the chord" always gives me chills and brings a tear or two to my eye. I play this on the piano almost every day during advent, and I promise I have the harmonies of the 4th verse completely ingrained. Including "the chord."
That “Word of the Father” organ arrangement gets me every time. Just goosebumps!
The Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
It makes me cry!
@@70AD-user45 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
I really likes this choir, very wonderful voices. They are singing a song for our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless all of you. Merry Christmas. From Eddy Anak Laga Anglican Church Diocese of West Malaysia. Malaysia.
Oh, that harmonization on the refrain of the last verse...nothing like it.
Nothing like the *descant,* either.
My favorite things about anglican church music: the descant and interesting last verse reharmonizations. A good organist can really have fun with the latter.
@@getorganizednotpianoized239 I'm not a soprano. Can't hit the top G.
They did hear the song from Celtic Woman A Celebration for Christmas.
Angelic voices.. I don't understand how someone could dislike this..
Michelle Rose I don't either.
@@getorganizednotpianoized239 They could not sing the descants.
Failed choir singers maybe?
Oh, come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
Highest, most holy,
Light of light eternal,
Born of a virgin,
A mortal he comes;
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing!
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
God of gods, light of light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin's womb
Very God, Begotten not created Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
See how the shepherds, Summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze
We too will thither Bend our hearts' oblations
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
I wish #MeavNiMhaolchatha, #ChloeAgnew, #LisaKelly, #OrlaFallon, #MaireadNesbitt, #HayleyWestenra, #SarahBrightman, #KatherineJenkins, #AledJones, #EllenWilliams, #CarmenMonarcha, #MirusiaLouwerse, #CarlaMaffioletti, #AnnaMajchrzak, #RussellWatson, #AndreRieu, #SimonRattle #LondonSymphonyOrchestra, #BerlinerPhilharmoniker and the #CelticWoman team will be singing #OComeAllYeFaithful.
Feeling the Peace of Christmas .. Merry Christmas everyone ..
the tune has been stuck in my head for almost a year now
Does anyone know what makes the last verse so poignant music theory wise? What are those chords and why do they sound so good?
+Katie Ross In performance verses are often omitted, either because the hymn is too long in its entirety or because the words are unsuitable for the day on which they are sung. For example the eighth anonymous verse is only sung on Epiphany, if at all; while the last verse of the original is normally reserved for Christmas Midnight Mass, Mass at Dawn or Mass During the Day.In the United Kingdom and United States it is often sung today in an arrangement by Sir David Willcocks, which was originally published in 1961 by Oxford University Press in the first book in the Carols for Choirs series. This arrangement makes use of the basic harmonisation from The English Hymnal but adds a soprano descant in verse six (verse three in the original) with its reharmonised organ accompaniment, and a last verse harmonisation in verse seven (verse four in the original), which is sung in unison. From Wiki I hope this will be of help. Merry Christmas!
+000dodo000 Thank you very much, a very helpful reply indeed! Have a great Christmas! :)
+Katie Ross Reddit told me it's a "half-diminished harmony".
+Noumenon72 Brilliant thank you :D
This is an example of text painting. The hymn is in the key of G major. But listen closely to the text at the "weird" harmonization in the 3rd stanza. The text says, "word of the father, now in flesh appearing." It's a big deal right, Jesus is here, he has been spoken about in prophecy, but BOOM he's on earth now as a real person. To match the eureka moment, Willcocks uses common chords over the melody that are completely outside the tonality of G major. So the B half diminished 7 chord for 'Word" to an A minor second inversion right to E major to A minor to B major. It's really quite glorious writing.
Oh come all ye faithful...
My parents sadly gone now listen to this for decades every Christmas from when they were small in 1920s until they passed away Dad 2009 and Mum 2018 it is a family tradition to listen and later watch the Carols from Kings i shall again on the 24th Dec love the service the carols and the readings.
A lovely story about your parents David. I lost my dear dad & mum in 2013 and in 2017 respectively. Christmas is such a bitter sweet time but we carry those lovely memories, like the ones you have written about, with us and hopefully leave behind the same for our children, family and friends - like your mum and dad did with you. Merry Christmas.
Blessed who believe in our Savior who died on the cross for our sins, pray
for peace and happiness in our torn world. #jesussaves
Thank's God, praise to the your holy name... I want to the said. thank you very much.... God blesses your choir singing..... ;)
Love the conductor, he's hopping about on the pedestal even before the singing has started!
Perhaps he needs a restroom break.
@@jensmom604 Noooo, he's excited!
Jennifer Webber I enjoy watching him as much as I enjoy listening to the music.
Sounds like gates of heaven.. nothing compares
And the word became flesh.....praise God!
We sang this today at my local parish church! I am so glad the music director is a fan of Sir David. I had been parish-hopping looking for a parish that was small or medium, and with a traditional repertoire, and finally found one a year ago. I had a great time singing their Nine Lessons and Carols today, which happens to be Sir David's birthday. How old would he be if he were alive? (Sorry, math is not my subject) I sent a birthday balloon to heaven for him.
BTW I have memorized all the Willcocks descants.
Thanks for sharing. Nothing better than the sound of the big organ in a great cathedral and a well trained choir.
WORD. The chord is so magnificent it previews heaven.
simply a beautiful piece of music that hits you in the heart and sole and makes you feel good all over and makes life worth living each and every single day...
All of Sir David's arrangements make me feel that way, hit me in the heart and soul and give me a reason for living. That's why I'm an Anglophile (even though I am American and have no English relatives.) The hymn tune FOREST GREEN makes me feel that way too. And organ music does too.
BTW my favorite female organist was named Fran. (Fran McDaniel 10/13/42 to 11/28/94.) I miss her so much.
As an American, many of our choirmasters try for a british sound and I agree it is incomparable. However, whether British or broad, the music sustains itself on its own terms. The choir and that magnificent organ, which I heard being tuned many years ago, cannot be equaled.
Interestingly this chant isn't British at all!
It's Portuguese and the composer is King John IV of Portugal, a highly renowned composer in his days!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR ;-)
Correct! In Germany this "anthem/hymn" gets a "germanic touch", in Russia a "russian one" and maybe in China it's performed with a certain "chineseness"! So...? It's still Portuguese, regardless of any "nesses" of and in each country/culture performing it!
Happy Christmas
Jon Goldney
Not at all!
Whether exclamation marks "are necessary" or not is a personal matter only!
Now look who's making remarks about how one writes?
Feeling tackled?
B.t.w.: the sound isn't British at all!
It's mere choral arrangement technique - a very good one, one must add!
What's wrong is when the song is chracterised as "traditional" (i.e. no one knows wherefrom), which is WRONG!
Rotebuehl1 no it is not. It is English, most probably composed by John Francis Wade
ds1868 Rule Britannia!
Last Carol at midnight mass heralding Christmas, first on Christmas day, very emotional, love the descant
Every year I'm moved to tears by this. Especially the penultimate verse, with the descant! Makes my hair stand on end every time. The sight of many singing in such a venue, led by a choir with the voices of angels.
God is in my life and whether he is in yours is something for you to decide but for sure much beautiful music was inspired by the love of God and the lessons that Jesus taught us. I love the descant to this hymn I used to sing it.
I'm learning the descant at the moment.
As a choir boy this was my favourite descant I was extremely sorry when one day I found the high notes too difficult.
Very poignant and beautiful comment Edward.. God is certainly in my life, and one can only think that these beautiful hymns have been inspired by divinity and true faith.
@@donaldedward4951 here's an idea. Sing it in falsetto. My favorite choir director can sing falsetto. BTW I am female, but sometimes I get hoarse because of reflux and I drink extra water when I am going to sing a descant.
They did hear the song from Celtic Woman A Celebration for Christmas.
Please forgive my ignorance... but if it's King's "COLLEGE"... why are the soprano parts sung by boys that are a good 10 years away from ever seeing a razor?
Seriously... I mean, by "college", I infer "post high-school", or, "older than 18 years of age". Does "college" mean something else in England?
Really not trying to start a fight here; just looking to clear up some confusion on my part.
1ExtraChrispy1
Prep schools in England are called college... I don't know why, though.
Magnificent
C'est sublime!
THE CHORD.
Nick Fichter We were just discussing THE CHORD!!!
That's on the last verse arrangement?
Jacqui Moran yep. That one unspeakably epic moment on "Word of the Father." The descant is glorious, but THAT CHORD is what has me goosebumpy every single time. Every. Time. Willcocks is a genius.
This is my favourite Christmas carol recording! The sound is so rich and perfect! I play it every year!
3:37 that organ chord. I shall die without really getting it
Half-diminished 7th chord!
Aren't them descants nice like? And thon organ player's, he's awful good too ...
Anne France You are spot on! Sir David's arrangements ARE the best, and so is the organ playing.
@1ExtraChrispy1 The younger members of the choir are educated in King's College School and receive scholarships from King's College. The younger boys are there to sing the soprano and alto parts of the songs as girls are not recruited into the choir (by tradition). King's College is one of the 31 colleges that forms the University of Cambridge.
Reminds me of school.
Oh, come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
Highest, most holy,
Light of light eternal,
Born of a virgin,
A mortal he comes;
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing!
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
God of gods, light of light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin's womb
Very God, Begotten not created Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
See how the shepherds, Summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze
We too will thither Bend our hearts' oblations
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
I would love to hear Russell Watson, Aled Jones, Alfie Boe, Michael Ball, Vincent Niclo, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Frangoulis, Katherine Jenkins, Laura Wright, Sarah Brightman, Hayley Westenra, Charlotte Church, Carmen Monarcha, Andre Rieu, Carla Maffioletti, Kimmy Skota, Mairead Nesbitt, Orla Fallon, Meav Ni Mhaolchatha, Chloe Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Simon Rattle, Diane Bish, Mirusia Louwerse, Anna Majchrzak, Ellen Williams, London Symphony Orchestra, (Elisabeth Suzan Erens or Empress Sisi) Suzan Erens, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Celtic Woman team, Songs Of Praise team and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra will be singing the song O Come All Ye Faithful. It has got six verses. Here come the lyrics. #OComeAllYeFaithful #RussellWatson #AledJones #AlfieBoe #MichaelBall #VincentNiclo #AndreaBocelli #MarioFrangoulis #KatherineJenkins #LauraWright #SarahBrightman #HayleyWestenra #CharlotteChurch #CarmenMonarcha #AndreRieu #CarlaMaffioletti #KimmySkota #MaireadNesbitt #OrlaFallon #MeavNiMhaolchatha #ChloeAgnew #LisaKelly #SimonRattle #DianeBish #MirusiaLouwerse #AnnaMajchrzak #EllenWilliams #LondonSymphonyOrchestra #SingaporeSymphonyOrchestra #BerlinPhilharmonicOrchestra #CelticWoman #SongsOfPraise #RTENationalSymphonyOrchestra (#ElisabethSuzanErens or #EmpressSisi) #SuzanErens
Written by John Francis Wade, Frederick Oakeley
Music by Stephen Cleobury, John F. Wade's Cantus Diversi
It's one of my favourites as seen on BBC's Songs Of Praise, (#SongsOfPraise) Celtic Woman (#CelticWoman) and NPO 2 and EO's Nederland Zingt. (#NederlandZingt)
Amen
If Katherine Jenkins was a Celtic Woman fanatic, she can sing O Come All Ye Faithful on BBC’s Songs Of Praise which broadcasts on Sunday 19th December. Do you agree?
Istenem; e falak között állhattam több éve, vagy 2 órán át, s hallgathattam e kórust. "Testben-e, vagy testen kívül, -nem tudom," mert szédületes élmény volt. Most ezt újra átélhettem...
Sublime. Everyone says "I'll try anything once". If you liked this, go to a church this Christmas - try it - just the once.
I *tried* flying *once.* (Years ago with my family on vacation.) My poor ears pipped and popped. That's why I am not able to ever go to England (no matter how much I love it.) What a shame because it would be my "pipe dream" (I am an enthusiastic amateur organist) come true to see the King's College Choir. 👍👏They're the best choir in the world!👍👏
Music. All day today. Of course I'm singing Alto, soprano, tenor and bass...my old lady voice can now hit the low bass....and i try to hit the high soprano notes....but nothing comes out for that highest note...Sure do miss my mom n dad n brothers n sisters n grandparents...who gave us the gift of music. I think music is the highest expression of God! 12-08-2019
Growing up in a Canadian Low Anglican church the one thing I loved about Sunday Services were the hymns and the organ and singing but I didn't realize how special it was till I grew up and married a Catholic . What a difference . I sure was much luckier than I realized at the time .
I like this, it is a pity about the UA-cam compression causing distortion and odd background noise.
iam in christmas mood alredy... i so cant wait for Dec 25 :D :P :-)
All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Jinfay s this verse actually begins "Yea, Lord, we greet Thee" - but everything else is right. thanks for posting! :)
Love this song with all my heart
Merry Christmas, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Your whole family, friend, acquaintances & all of the U.K. for the beautiful choirs of Your Highness, Queen Elizabeth Ii, the Traditional Love in the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.+++
"Adeste Fideles" was once known as the Portuguese Hymn, after the Duke of Leeds heard it being sung at the Portuguese embassy in London in 1795. However, the translation he heard was very different from the hymn that John Francis Wade had published over 40 years earlier, in 1751. There have been several claims as to the hymn's beginnings, the earliest being Italian Franciscan monk, St Bonaventure, in the 13th century.
Wikipedia: "Besides John Francis Wade, the tune has been purported to be written by several musicians, from John Reading and his son to Handel and even Gluck, including the Portuguese composers Marcos Portugal or the king John IV of Portugal himself. Thomas Arne, whom Wade knew, is another possible composer... it can be hard to determine whether these were written in imitation of the hymn, the hymn was based on them, or they are totally unconnected."
Hard to Imagine even the Angels of Bethlehem singing more beautifully (I know the Angels did, but hard to imagine what that would even sound like, all these hymns, including this, are so good!)
This is one of those times when I LOVE being a soprano!
beautiful.............so reflective of His birth
2023 anyone?
Katolik INDONESIA. ❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕🙏🙏🙏 dari INDONESIA.
Can't believe I'm listening to christmas songs in August guess I'm already geared up for christmas.
Martin Putt Ever since I first heard the King's College Choir on the radio (in 1994), I am always geared up for Christmas, regardless of the time of year. And they made an Anglophile out of me. The King's College Choir and Sir David's arrangements are the best!👍👍
I didn't realize arr. stood for arrangement, so when I clicked on it, I thought this was like the pirate version or something.. but now I know... hahaha
Hahaha! That's too funny! (:
NerdCoreJm They are the best "arrs" ever! Sir David's "arrs" made an Anglophile out of me 24 years ago.
Tears. Every time. Wow.
Does anyone have access to the an accurate version of the vocal or organ music used to create this wonderful performance?
There's nothing like that organ with that decant I tried at my church..the organ wasn't even close but it sound good
You are so right! Sir David's arrangements are the best, and they made an Anglophile out of me in 1994.
C'est superbe ; je vous recommande aussi plusieurs enregistrements au Royal Albert Hall avec toute l'audience en sing along....
素敵な歌声ですね。
Praise him (God) ❤
God bless everyone!!
THANK you
What BBC2 closedown date was this featured in
1st video with a decent amount of views I've seen on youtube in my life that doesn't have a single dislike. Well done
Adeste Fideles rips into my soul every Christmas. If I'm "faithful" I'm lead. I'm lifted.
O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
great song! merry christmas ! :)
I don’t understand why they always play the ‘yea lord we greet thee’ verse like that with no harmony at the start. Is it just to give it its own identity?
such a shame this isn't very high audio quality, will have to buy the CD now
Merry Christmas everyone I’m loving listening to the carols
Love what the conductor does @ 3:35!
Streets ahead of the weary effort this year, 2014.
Splendid carolling here.
tambien esta
Outside of Anglo-American Countries this beautiful Christmas song is better known as "Adeste Fideles" - nevertheless a great presentation by the King's College Choir!
Merry Christmas Everyone !!
Magnificent and breathtaking
Bawling, the discant broke me.