Carols from King's 2016 | #1 "Once in Royal David's City" | The Choir of King's College, Cambridge

[@jamesrobert680]

Sounds excellent no matter how many times you hear it.

[@Emper0rH0rde]

The glint on the boy's glasses makes it look like he has tears in his eyes.

[@josephrutter5160]

It's not Christmas until you hear this. Just beautiful.

[@goatcheeta]

I have listened to this service for 40 years. This was the best solo first verse I have ever heard. Ethereal and an amazing presence of that young boy. He has a great career ahead of him.

[@Toledo1940]

This is the best solo in several years. But I believe that the opening solo by Sam Landman in 2004 is in a class by itself; Sam's voice had an astonishing clarity and was delivered, without artifice, by a very advanced technique.

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Toledo1940 Sam was my favorite too, and Edmund (Edmund Rex) in 2000 was my second favorite. KCC is the BEST CHOIR EVER!!!!

[@jamesmcculloch5753]

Couldn't agree more!

[@missasinenomine]

@@Toledo1940 Do you think so? I didn't think his diction was at all good. Too much tongue. Initially I thought he had a Northern Irish accent! (Nothing against N. Irish accents. No comments please).

[@Toledo1940]

@@missasinenomine : Yes, I do think so. That's why I said it!

[@allenpinnix5241]

nearly 600 years on... and the Glory has not dimmed

[@jan7143]

When this comes on the radio I know Christmas has started love to all watching this wherever you are in the world,stay safe Happy Christmas love and blessings from England UK😊🎇

[@JanetLRD1]

I listen every year, and I cry every year when this song is sung. It's so beautiful. My dad sang in a boys' choir in an Episcopal Church when he was young.

[@robertofranco6047]

It's simply beautiful, blessing for you children and young.

[@joewalker5959]

As a humanist that was raised a Methodist I still find amazing solace and peace listening to this!

[@WilliamCamilleri]

only Catholic is right

[@JonHareGames]

Beautiful

[@amandanutt8163]

Makes me cry every time. Love it.

[@opticalmixing23]

A king is born!!!!!!!

[@sallywarne9398]

Best carol ever, - the words say it all..... beautiful first verse!!!! XX

[@jamesmcculloch5753]

Beautifully sung as always. The moment the organ joins in, I get goosebumps and when the congregation joins in, the hairs are standing on end even before the end of the final verse.

[@EFChartley]

Beautiful James. God bless, Jake from UK.

[@tjfSIM]

Exactly the same, I always get major goosebumps when the organ and congregation all join in, it’s such an amazing warm and familiar sound. Christmas has changed almost beyond recognition for me over the years, but this is the one constant thing that never changes, and I love it for that.

[@johnwagner4027]

Songs in the Anglican/ Episcopal church are very beautiful

[@matthewwatts7401]

Fantastic descant. RIP to a legend.

[@zoekilsbordom]

The kid who sang was brave.

[@miraclejones3825]

Yes, a reflection of the beautiful kingdom of God.

[@christopher4639]

As they say better late than never Happy birthday Dr. Cleobury. Just continue with your good work.

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Chris Kioko Really belated happy birthday, Dr. Cleobury. Quote from a belated birthday card I bought: "I USED TO JUST CRASTINATE, BUT THEN I DECIDED TO GO PRO." (I gave that card to my best friend last month and we both think it is hilarious) By the way, although I loved all the traditional carols, my most favorite was, of course, O Little Town of Bethlehem. I LOVE FOREST GREEN!Yeaaaaaaah!

[@garyhalsey7693]

Having done this myself in Southwark Cathedral in London, I agree it was absolutely amazing. It is SO nerve wracking being up there, unaccompanied!! That was many many years ago of course lol!

[@misshowe]

Wow, what an amazing achievement! I am not a great singer but love making the proverbial joyful noise. Being able to sing is such a beautiful gift. I know you've brought joy to many with your voice.

[@WildBillFan1]

My daughter was asked to sing this first verse at our service for the past two years. Her voice, by itself, soaring to the highest spaces of the Cathedral. Chills....

[@farrahkong1998]

Once in royal David's city Stood a lowly cattle shed Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild Jesus Christ her little child He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all And His shelter was a stable And His cradle was a stall; With the poor and meek and lowly Lived on earth our Savior holy And through all His wondrous childhood He would honor and obey Love and watch the lowly mother In whose gentle arms He lay Christian children all should be Mild, obedient, good as He For He is our child-hood's pattern Day by day like us He grew He was little, weak, and helpless Tears and smiles like us He knew And He feeleth for our sadness And He shareth in our gladness And our eyes at last shall see Him Through His own redeeming love; For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above And He leads His children on To the place where He is gone Not in that poor lowly stable With the oxen standing by We shall see Him, but in heaven Set at God's right hand on high; When like stars His children crowned All in white shall be around

[@kewkew34]

Thanks for sharing the words. As lovely as this is, I never can understand the words when a choir is singing.

[@rickylantz]

The Lord is coming.

[@KennnnnnyTucky]

Hard to believe this is Stephen Cleobury's last Christmas at Kings. What a talent. There just HAS to be a Knighthood on his retirement for someone who has given so much to choral music over the years.

[@cecilefox9136]

R.I:P .He died on saint Cecilia's day 2019.What a loss for music.

[@TylerBurnsOfficial]

God be praised. This hits like a kick in the teeth.

[@brianmckay1236]

Thank you for this great upload. Best wishes to Dr Stephen Cleobury CBE on his 68th birthday today.

[@breadstick1461]

Now I need to sing this as a solo in church today

[@big-h8323]

It’s November nearly December can’t wait for the ceremony this year!

[@quentinbrauer4703]

Will not happen this year

[@belindamotamedi8724]

My favorite Christmas song.

[@bee-ti2lz]

A few years later, and about to perform the solo for my service. HHh

[@garyhalsey7693]

I hope it all went well!! Been there, done that. Loved it, will never forget it!!

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

I love the #Descant

[@yaramar34]

I think this is the best ever ,,,, who is this boy?

[@christina5823]

i think his name is thomas alban

[@Gontsen]

once in a kraal a king was born. he came down to is from from heaven

[@rosioliveira4270]

Dea Oíche! Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh! "

[@ChorGesang]

Go raibh míle maith agat! Thank you very much!

[@lavoxii]

Once in royal David’s city, Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. * He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall; With the poor and meek and lowly, Lived on earth our Saviour holy. * And through all His wondrous childhood, He would honour and obey, Love and watch the lowly mother, In whose gentle arms He lay. Christian children all should be, Mild, obedient, good as He. * For He is our child-hood’s pattern, Day by day like us He grew, He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew, And He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness. * And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love; For that child so dear and gentle, Is our Lord in heaven above, And He leads His children on, To the place where He is gone. * Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see Him, but in heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high; When like stars His children crowned, All in white shall be around.

[@MissJ224]

My parents went to watch this performance live and sing. Does anyone know where you can stream this 2016 performance?

[@Winaska]

those deacons look incredibly young....

[@tgillmor]

How does he get his voice so high?

[@jackson4404]

This Christmas carol is not familiar to most of us in the USA.

[@P-el4zd]

Sad that Great British has lost most of it’s Christian heritage.

[@littlemisskimmycat78]

The organist hit a few bum notes in the last verse, which to me, ruined what was a beautiful performance.

[@TheKonga88]

Once a queen ant went to the city, laying eggs and greeting chimps, where a mouse was singing at Christmas, looking for Tiny Tim with the limp. 😁😁🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎃🎃🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🤸‍♀️🤸‍♂️🚴‍♂️⛹️‍♂️⛹️‍♂️

[@WilliamCamilleri]

great not for plonkers