Once In Royal David's City : Westminster Cathedral Choir

The choir of Westminster Cathedral and the congregation open the service of Midnight Mass (2009) with the traditional carol Once In Royal David's City. An excellent solo to begin and a wonderful descant to finish.

[@kennymuk]

I know! I am a Catholic and get really frustrated by congregations not singing! But this choir is really wonderful. went to a sung mass performed by them on the first Sunday of Advent. Out of this world!

[@Tabornok4Star]

Absolutely beautiful. The world needs more of these carols/songs rather than ads for material items. Christmas is fun, but seems it has become more a time to see who may receive the best presents. "God Bless Us Every One."

[@thoma57]

This cathedral houses a very powerful, moving organ that lifts people to prayer and worship.

[@thoma57]

And I just love the line "And our eyes at last shall see Him through His own redeeming love".

[@adventurer00821]

Absolutely a happy song to listen to.... I can't stop playing it over and over again.

[@ТатьянаМухортова-к8н]

👏👏👍

[@adienromarirez2309]

Always appreciate the raw power of the organ at Westminster Abbey. That thing has the power to move mountains!!

[@isaiahwesley8252]

It was a mistake , am sure

[@kay6096]

This is Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey is the royal peculier.

[@BenitaStuart]

I first heard this hymn at a service of lessons and carols in New Britain CT in the 1980s. The choir processed in, holding lighted candles as they sang. I am having a hard time with Christmas this year. The thought of the Babe in manger brings tears to my eyes.Sin and oppression push down on us without cease. Yet we have the Babe, and He has our hearts in His tiny hand. I wish all who believe, all who once believed or want to believe, a most Merry Christmas.

[@patriciayoung4427]

Jt

[@RockenMusicLuver]

Wonderful, this CAROL!!!! Esp on the VERY, VERY EVE OF CHRISTMAS!!!!

[@charlesleyes870]

How could anyone not like this? It brings tears to my eyes.

[@SuperMelvyn]

Perfect. In 1961 I was chosen to sing the treble solo in school assembly at Christmas. I did well enough to be asked again in 1962 but got sharper and sharper so that when the choir came in for verse 2 they (on pitch) sounded horribly FLAT! Ever since I have really appreciated unaccompanied singing! In fact, having a go at singing and failing is a great way to appreciate those who can do it.

[@ottogunsche]

Superb! What a really lovely rendition of a great hymn.I only wish I could sing!

[@parteepanmarkandan5789]

I like this song very much. Its great and the music is exellent. The boy who sang the solo has great voice. very good indeed.

[@mrmurph81]

Beautifully sung; beautifully photographed. It's videos like this that make KZbin worth visiting.

[@julieheck4833]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@tomsaltsman]

I am a trained tenor and instrumentalist myself, born in Sacramento, CA, and made a living as a singer/musician in San Francisco. After moving to San Antonio, TX, in 2003, I auditioned for the "symphony chorus" here called Mastersingers. To prove I could stay on pitch, I asked to audition without accompianment. I sang "Salve Regina" and only went SLIGHTLY sharp when finished; at least I didn't go flat. It's good ear training, though.

[@wahlaonousernameone]

splendid atmosphere! For the spiritually initiated, this would be a near heavenly experience for the soul. However, for those who have tightly shut the doors of their heart to Jesus, this scene would not even move them slightly. God bless the Catholic church and its brethren til the end of time!

[@mottledbrain]

At Christmas time (December 25 - January 6) my favourite recording is one entitled "Carols From Westminster". It's on a cassette tape, but it is the best Christmas recording I've ever heard. This piece is my favourite from it.

[@GDNicholas0212]

Amazing voice. God Bless

[@adventurer00821]

Sounds like Christmas in Heaven!

[@jessicaa.7128]

This makes me cry. I think it's good to cry like this on Christmas.

[@nightvouyer]

one of my favorites how beautiful this is

[@Giscard58]

Absolutely superb!

[@mrmurph81]

What a terrific performance!

[@adventurer00821]

Music from Heaven!

[@tritus67]

Wonderful as always, thank you!!

[@drwestbury]

Then I congratulate you most heartily. I first heard you at the Christmas concert on 16th Dec and said then that you had a glorious voice. I shall be at the Cathedral on Ash Wednesday and hope you sing the solo on Alegri's Miserere. Thank you for singing for us.

[@lohohei]

you have a good and wonderful voice given by the Almighty God. I love this solo very much

[@donhenri01]

Beautifull, and marvellous voice of the soloist! thanks for that and merry Christmas.

[@DianeOfori]

Hallelujah!

[@andrewwatson4621]

treble6wccs - you have a fantastic voice. Wonderful! Keep singing!

[@ToolBag48]

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us!

[@inkanew1]

Wow that boy who sang the soli is incredibly talented he has probably left but mate you have a career ahead of you and one hell of a voice

[@Pro-Deo]

Oh how beautiful. :)

[@PatroniFan]

I love this ditty....

[@mikee758]

Fit for THE KING!!!

[@croc17]

@robilo100 This is not Anglican, it is the Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster.

[@LostHatProductions]

They think they have to keep the camera moving. That’s the only reason why something is in a wide shot, so they can zoom in. Change my mind

[@JoeChicago257]

Thankyou, treble6wccs, that's such a beautifally done solo. You are truly a gift of music.

[@kenttaylor8217]

superb even in june

[@rbuckley513]

@treble6wccs You sounded excellent..I also sung this in the same arrangement under the direction of Michael Stairs, Philadelphia. It's nice to have a good ear to keep this on key for the choir. Bravo!

[@auyantepui3243]

perfect!

[@93Chamade]

Ahh yes, it was decided that the opening procession to the crib should just include the thurifer, sacred ministers, MC's and the Arcbhishop. The full procession including Cross, Acolytes and Concelebrating Priests, can be seen during the singing of the Introit...

[@tomsaltsman]

It's so amazing that for two entire verses, the hymn is sung WITHOUT instruments and DOES NOT GO FLAT! The organ comes in the exact pitch that it was started! Very difficult for even a professional adult choir! But Catholics usually have all the self-discipline of a headless chicken. The only musicians they worry about offending are the patholigically conceited, not God or the truly gifted. As a Catholic musician, I so often hear, "But he's lead the choir since he was five years old!"

[@mrmurph81]

I may be mistaken, but I think this is the version used in the movie "We Need to Talk About Kevin." A great recording used to great effect in a terrific film

[@DCTOnline]

Fantastic final verse - who composed the arrangement?

[@jessicaa.7128]

Until I saw and heard this on you tube the only version I've heard of this song before was this disco version which was part of a medley. I didn't know it was sung this way and in this setting. This is light-years away from that awful disco version.

[@StevenJacksonMusic]

@treble6wccs Beautiful job mate ! absolutely superb.

[@emman1208]

you have a wonderful voice my dear friend. hope you continue sharing your God given talent. by the way, brethren, are you a native of UK or of Asian origin/background? Thanks and more power!

[@Mamabaerli]

wunderschön...

[@ТатьянаМухортова-к8н]

💖💐👏👏🌿🕊

[@ambodrona1]

libera's interprétation is the best . i can't find an other version best than their

[@thethomasian17]

wow!!! are you Filipino? :) do you still sing at the cathedral?

[@joeholywell3302]

ahhhhhh thats the solo I'm doing

[@chakkriza234]

Joe Holywell boy solo this video is you?

[@chinwo]

@treble6wccs Good job! Such strong vocal chords! God bless ya!

[@Igrainedatintagel]

How old were you when you sang this? :-) Are you a tenore now? In any case, I hope you still sing today :-)

[@kamilla1960]

@joffryvangrondelle You're right, only most Roman Catholic churches neglect the musical tradition.

[@Operaandchant90]

@treble6wccs well done, mate. ive spent many of my days as a church horister, and sang that many times. do continue singing when your voice breaks :D

[@nelbudy]

@dami9989 In the Episcopal Church the servers at the altar are called "acolytes". I think the same is true for the RC Church. And of recent, both boys and girls may serve as Crucifers (cross bearers) Thurifers (incense bearers) and Torches (candle bearers).

[@Ac-st7nw]

the boys don't know beforehand who will be picked for this solo

[@kamilla1960]

@shervinjb That's encouraging.

[@adventurer00821]

2:30 is the best part.

[@croc17]

@patrickjs865 Think you will find she is the thurifer (with the thurible) a crucifer carries a crucifix.

[@benediktusanggit6244]

Very nice descant. Who is the arranger?

[@fsocks9138]

It’s oDonnell

[@kamilla1960]

If only the Roman Catholic churches everywhere cultivated their musical tradition! Instead, for the most part, you have to go to an Anglican church to hear great Catholic music.

[@auyantepui3243]

this is a Catholic cathedral

[@istgone]

@moppettshow Uncalled for.

[@cristobalito1966]

Westminster Abbey is Anglo-Catholic i.e. High Church of England and was, naturally, Roman Catholic prior to Henry VIII deciding to form his own church.

[@tomsaltsman]

In all fairness to Mastersingers, though, the entire choir can stay on pitch without instruments for very long periods. We did so in performance many times.

[@AnnaCatherineB]

They need more pronunciation and expression. Just because it's a choir doesn't mean there can't be expressive and have a zeal for the beauty of the music.

[@maggijude]

@patrickjs865 " thurifer" actually (the "Incense thingy" is a thurible, you see. A "crucifer" carries the crucifix equally logically

[@shervinjb]

@kamilla1960 Not true, When I went to midnight mass at my Catholic Church, I heard & we all sang great Catholic Christmas Carols. =)

[@chakkriza234]

I want to know the name solo voice in Video.

[@mrisal4496]

Who is he?

[@mrisal4496]

who was the boy who sang first?

[@moppettshow]

Someone should have told him Movember had finished.

[@elton1981]

I prefer the wilcox descant

[@ToolBag48]

Westminster Cathedral is indeed Roman Catholic.

[@bonniemagpie1552]

I was alright with this until the congregation joined in.

[@priest008]

Hymns is lovely!! But is that what Westminster Cathedral looks like on Christmas Eve? WOW!! It is clear that Catholicism in England is dead......where are the great processions of priests? The Archbishop was there with 2 deacons....No cross, no acolytes.....and I never knew altar girls were permitted in Cathedrals, I thought it was a small allowance to places like Only girls schools where there would be no boys to serve....hmmm..

[@foodie65]

You can tell it's Westminster Cathedral - the choir is excellent but most of the congregation stand there mute and not singing the hymns. Why won't Caholics sing - even a traditional hymn at Midnight Mass? Pathetic.

[@djmotise]

Awful diction.

[@ДмитрийИ-д4ю]

пораша