Mormon Tabernacle Choir - "Come, Come Ye Saints"

In celebration of Pioneer Day tomorrow, I have chosen "Come, Come Ye Saints" as this week's pick. This hymn has become the anthem of the Mormon Pioneers. I can't help but feel the spirit, strength, courage, and faith of those pioneers as I listen to or sing this hymn. I am always deeply touched by these lyrics and this music.

This hymn was also sung at the prayer assembly at BYU on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, hours after our country was attacked and the Twin Towers fell. It was a surreal and powerful experience to be in the Marriott Center, filled with thousands of BYU students, who met together to pray and sing for strength and comfort during that scary time. The lyrics of this hymn were a source of much comfort to me, as I'm sure they were to others, on that horrific day when the future was so unsure. I remember singing this hymn, with tears in my eyes, thinking that perhaps that day would be the closest I would ever be to understanding a fraction of what the Pioneers may have felt during their experience. Though their future was unsure at times, and they faced much persecution and hatred, it was their faith in Jesus Christ that gave them comfort and hope to sing the words, "All is well!" I am amazed and overwhelmed with gratitude for the faith, strength, and legacy the Mormon Pioneers have left us with.

Happy Pioneer Day!

Read the lyrics + brief history of the song.
Read about the Pioneers.
Learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I am also intrigued with this project by Australian composer Glenn Gordon. I have been listening to some excerpts and all the buzz about it on 89.1 KBYU FM.
Can't wait to get a recording.

Christmas Pick: Day 6

"Carol of the Bells"

There is a legend that at the stroke of midnight on the evening when Jesus was born all the bells on earth suddenly began pealing joyously together of their own accord - and there was never a sound like it for majesty and grandeur. "Carol of the Bells," based on an old Ukrainian motif, probably springs from that legend, as it tells of the "sweet silver bells" that pealed joyously in unison. Traditionally, the "Carol of the Bells" is sung quietly in the beginning, grows louder and ever louder as each voice adds to the tintinnabulation, and finally dies away to a pianissimo as the pealing gradually ceases.

(from Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook)

I love everything about this song -
and it will always remind me of Home Alone :)

I'm also a bit skeptical as to whether this is actually the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing this version.
It doesn't sound like them to me.
Plus, the album cover says "Leonard Bernstein."
Hmm...