Once in Royal David's City

Taken from 'Carols from King's' 2004. the BBC's shortened version of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which they record early in December and air on Christmas Day.

[@OlDoinyo]

Fine opening solo by Sam Landman. He never was as well known as Connor Burrowes or Anthony Way, but he had a lovely voice that deserves to be remembered.

[@Rotogravier]

Once In Royal David's City is a gemstone of faith for the Church Of England and is sung with joy in Anglican Churches around the world. This is not just a Christmas hymn, it is also a worship processional used to introduce "Lessons and Carols" the Anglican homily honoring our Savior's birth. As a processional it starts with the plaintiff young and humble voice, as the verses build in describing the life of Jesus it becomes more glorious to a triumphant finale.

[@respite1]

Soloist straight-up nails that opening verse. And - holy crap - dead on in tune with the organ when it comes in. Freaking awesome performance.

[@josh40jason]

Forget the shopping, the getting unecessarily drunk and the general consumerism of this time of year. For me, when I hear the carols from Cambridge (especially this) I know that Christmas is here. God bless us, one and all ( to paraphrase Dickens)

[@annfieldhouse5846]

jason ward once in Royal David's city alto

[@annfieldhouse5846]

Once in Royal David's city alto

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

Performances like this one is why the King's Chapel Choir is my favorite choir to listen to.

[@TheMagicRockstar1997]

What phenomenal technique that young boy has. You know someone's classically trained when they sound like that. Well done :)

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Brielle Marie I love English choirs!

[@mathaddict59]

It's all good. They are bringing us the Word of the Lord.

[@emoryblack3490]

The Treble soloist is selected from the group at the last moment... so he'll be scared out of his wits for the briefest amount of time. This carol, which says it all, melts me to tears each Christmas.

[@ThomasWilliams89]

This brings back memories of going to carol service at my British boarding school. Miss it so much :(

[@kennethhirlinger3014]

Most beautiful hymn ever written! Impeccably sung by this great choir!

[@fifagast]

This song gives me strength to go on, no matter what happens.

[@terichace7798]

I am watching/listening to this magnificent performance on very dark and quiet night on a small island in the North Atlantic, thanks to the miracle of modern internet service...it has swept me into the heavens...

[@karenbradley6807]

This is the most beautiful version of the most beautiful Christmas carol ever written. The voices building, then too the organ, til near the end the highest voices soar intricately over those lower. The chapel, built by people of faith, all together pure beauty. I only wish i lived near it because it would fill my heart to attend services in such a place. Merry Christmas to all, this Eve 2016.

[@Raymondskid1]

+So do I, Living in Oregon, usa

[@lizvallespir6725]

I agree!! The most beautiful version I have found of this!

[@ALL4JESUSCHRIST]

Very lovely music...May our Lord Jesus Christ be praised and glorified. May we walk in His care and loving kindness.

[@judasiscariot383]

Remember what this music and CHRISTmas is really about.

[@BledaRassmar]

um...WOW I imagine in Heaven we'll get to sing like that. Merry Christmas everyone.

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

Beautifully sung. I am really starting to like the King's Chapel choir. They sing with incredible articulation, emotional power, and grace that in my humble opinion is unparalleled.

[@stevemcgill7551]

Can't wait for Carol's from King's this year, 2 things i watch every Christmas Eve is this and Alister Sim version of Christmas Carol. Happy Christmas.

[@mattya1227]

Love, love is all I can feel when I hear this, when I sing this

[@joesr.shannavanausdall855]

I Love the carols of King's College. Thank You. Beautiful. They sound like angels.

[@maxblinkhorn]

Brilliant opening solo. Perfect.

[@Private-td7tj]

Max Blinkhorn I would Quite agree

[@jbraddock254]

I had the pleasure of being a choirboy with The Cathedral of St John the Divine in the 60's. This was my favorite along with "The Saints of God". Oh yes Norman Syme was the lead voice!

[@williamripley3192]

My favorite carol.This piece is sung as the Processional at Midnight Mass in our church.I love it's simplicity yet very majestic.Thanks for providing this video.

[@williamripley3192]

There are many beautiful carols,but this one is the top of my list.

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

William Ripley it is on my Top Ten. O Little Town of Bethlehem (FOREST GREEN, not St. Louis), is #1!

[@edjordan8061]

This carol for me sums up my CofE faith at Christmastime. Pure and simple.

[@magus9dannugcris]

Uplifting. The hymn responds to deepest longing for God's presence among us this Advent. Viva Cristo Rey.

[@hudsonbailey674]

My own Introit back to Bethlehem. Kings escorts me every Christmastide. Thank you with a prayer for a Happy Christmas and New Years.

[@Spitfiregirl01]

October 2021 it’s gonna be another hard Christmas especially without both of my granddads but I know he is resting with the Lord in the Kingdom of God I love Christmas carols Jesus is the reason for the season God bless everyone make you feel at peace this Christmas ❤️

[@31Alden]

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

[@drwestbury]

As Christmas approaches I have to have my daily "fix" of Sam Landman's extraordinary solo. Having heard innumerable opening solos to this beautiful carol I still come back here. If only someone had captured Sam's amazing treble voice on a solo album but King's choristers never seem to make solo albums. At least I cannot think of one.

[@kathyabeauty]

What a beautiful experience this must have been to witness in person! Thank you so much for sharing this. xox Happy Christmas to those who celebrate it...and Happy Holidays to all the others...and Have a Nice Day to those who celebrate nothing. ;-)

[@sueboujoukos9449]

Be not afraid

[@sarawiebe9163]

What an incredible clear and sweet solo voice

[@cellofingers]

This is Christmas in its true form. We Yanks could learn a thing or two from this.

[@jemimamoyle5709]

What a beautiful voice! So pure.

[@joshuajohnson7764]

Forget all your cares for a moment and become wrapped up in the music celebrating the coming of our Lord who is Jesus Christ!

[@pianoandpipes]

Wow. Simply beautiful. Praise God for the Anglican tradition.

[@organbuilder272]

This kid is better than the famous Aled Jones. Much steadier and more controlled vibrato. These kids are in their mid 20's now. Their days of glory over, the wonderful years in Kings College are over. Sad - but they had their moment of glory and the chance to make some beautiful music.

[@kellynch]

Positively haunting. This carol makes me cry, every single time I hear it. Our church has a co-ed adult choir and a grown woman sings the first verse. It's not politically correct to say this, but it's just not the same as hearing the little boy's treble voice. The purity of the child's voice sends shivers down my spine. Merry Christmas.

[@SchismLou]

The "Carols from Kings" is an inspiration the Anglican choirs who sing them faithfully every year.

[@basicaa]

"The magi didn't return to the Orient by the same route they arrived on. Learn from the past. If you want to change your life, then change your way." - Augustine, Sermon CC

[@philliphaylor1590]

Judi Harbin you are so right

[@bellrich]

beautiful really puts us in the Christmas sprit, Thank You

[@ToddSF]

"Once in royal David's city" was intended to be a children's hymn and it shows up in many hymnals in the "Hymns for Children" section. It is, however, well-written and the tune is outstanding, and I'm glad to note that the hymn is very often used for congregational singing at Christmas and enjoyed by people of all ages. Since the full hymn has a lot of verses, it works well for a processional hymn, giving the choir, the various clergy and their acolytes plenty of time to come in from the back of the church and make their way up the center aisle to the apse -- and even walk around the side aisles and back up the center aisle, depending on the size of the church. Wonderful Christmas hymn, too good to restrict it for use as a hymn for children only, though I'm sure children love it as much as grownups do.

[@thomaspetrone4974]

Love this lord thank you for these beautiful voices

[@pookerville]

I heard(and recorded) this awesome service this past Christmas Eve(the 90th. anniversary)! And I'll tell you, it's a feast for the emotions and the senses. I always feel tears come to my eyes when they get to "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing." If those two songs don't bring tears to your eyes, then you've lost all emotion!

[@bernadetaprzeliorz7186]

Wspaniałe wykonanie i jak przygotowuje człowieka duchowo na przyjście Pana!

[@steamgeezer]

Without doubt the best Christmas carol and what an excellent performance. Merry Christmas everyone.

[@chriskelly2898]

The descant on the last verse is divine, divine, divine.

[@daveburton2228]

Dave Burton, Beautiful and moving depicting what Christmas is all about.Reminds me of my days at Wellington school around Christmas time, many, many years ago.

[@mohammedreswan9445]

Start of this choir my heart start to cry tear in my eyes because this choir call my memory in 2009 . that's were I am in 20's I was working in condominium

[@billypavuk7522]

+Rooshic - you really think God cares whether we have a "christian" (read - anglicized, Western) name? How small a God that seems.

[@MrYorickJenkins]

+Billy Pavuk Yes, it does matter. Relgions are deeply embedded in cultural and racial environments. Mohammed is the name of a leader who by any demands of Christian dogma was a heretic. Mohammed denied the virgin birth and denied the divinity of Christ. The name does seem to me to be out of place in a Christian ceremony.

[@Ricardo1961D]

+Billy Pavuk Thank you. It does not matter to God nor should it matter to any of us. Arabic Christians also have Arabic names. Such "sorting" can only lead to mischeif or worse. Jesus Christ is considered a prophet by Islam, and knowledge about his birth and life should be happily shared by Christians with Muslims.

[@MsXizan]

Too much common sense in your statement, RicardoD.

[@carolmcln5028]

But as said above, Muslims deny his resurrection, deny his virgin birth, just see him as a prophet...not as the son of God...

[@thebeautifulones5436]

The dominance of Western music preceded the dominance of all aspects of western civilisation by five hundred years and it was an act of worship until only recently.

[@oldgattonian2]

I watch this choir each year without fail. Just Wonderful. When I hear this Carol I know Christmas is upon us.

[@sandman3669]

What beautiful presentation. I wish that I could of been present.

[@lizvallespir6725]

So, so beautiful. There are no words.

[@tyedrooms]

After all, "Kings is Kings", always will and always shall be ~ this is the entrance to advent ... Thank You

[@Toledo1940]

Yes. In an interview available elsewhere on KZbin, the Director of Music explains that 2 or 3 boys are always prepared to sing the opening solo, but that he waits until 10 or 15 seconds before the beginning of the program to state which boy is to be the soloist. These are just kids who would be extremely nervous if informed earlier. This soloist is Sam Landman, who was 12 years old at the time. Be sure to listen to his solo in Suo Gan, given during the same performance in December of 2004.

[@viewfromwilmington]

The opening treble solo is as good as any I have ever heard.

[@donalduyo8905]

I wish i can be part of this group. AM touched each time i listen to them.

[@JeanieJohnston]

Christmas Eve for me always begins with this! Beautiful!

[@LittleLupzyLu]

I was singing this around my house earlier, my mum then said " You would make such a great choir boy Lucy!" >.< Mum I'm a girl, but then again, I'd love to sing like this !

[@Billbothebear14]

Priceless.. that boy was superb. WF

[@bindagee]

Ive not heard this before- so beautiful!

[@cphill2012]

I don't know if it's because of the descant or the organ or all of it together, but nothing can match the last verse. I love the way it builds to that crescendo.

[@calebplaysmc7840]

Colin Phillips the organ is a wee bit faster while building up here but then the choir could not be fixed to the speed the organ is at

[@tsunchoo]

i have no belief in a 'God' or whether men or women are better in any way but i do love this music.

[@suemetcalfe3583]

It takes me back to my childhood, so moving and meaningful, very spiritual. x love does rulex

[@RealGroom007]

The Music Above All music that Heals us and Promises God's Supreme Complete Love for us !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@L1Skate]

Beautiful

[@SalsaShakers]

This takes me back to when we were at school. I love King's Cathedral singing carols/hymns. Beautiful. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! :)

[@pel9989]

Beautiful, I love the arrangement and the boys solo. His vice is perfection.

[@MrRoadkillbill]

Superb!! Well done! Gorgeous!

[@dariobonandin6261]

Stupenda esecuzione. Bellissima cornice: la cattedrale, i pueri cantores con le loro tonache, il suono, le voci, tutto concorre a rendere coinvolgente l'ascolto. Bravissimi.

[@MrHairyNeck]

Lovely. Thanks.

[@lizvallespir6725]

So beautiful. Brings me to tears! God bless them for bringing His birth to our consciousness in this work of art. There are really no words!

[@1trueloveforever]

his voice is so beautiful.. lovely

[@brandondelgado5395]

O god beyond all praising

[@katherinesimpson3020]

I won several trophies and awards for singing this. I adore this piece.

[@Snickerbocker]

Truly the greatest and most beautiful of the carols. Thank you for sharing.

[@KarenNorthZoesbuddy]

my all time favourite xmas carol, beautiful.

[@punkpop8689]

i sang the first verse on christmas eve in my presbyterian church. i was 10, i am now 16, cant believe that was 6 years ago. wish i could still sing that high..

[@MrKevonski]

Just listen to this gently in the background on Christmas eve sip your favourite drink as everyone travels to see their loved ones.

[@lukenewman7635]

🔥🔥This is lit🔥🔥

[@billydash9760]

lol

[@tyreburster]

@alexRawrx Agreed. I gave up on Christmas seventeen years ago for various reasons but I still love to hear this carol. This, and "I Believe in Father Christmas" by Greg Lake are now the only Christmas songs I can bear to listen to. Have a peaceful New Year.

[@mkl62]

I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina: This is to all denominations: If Luke 1:46-55 is your Scripture for the Day, this is a good hymn to compliment it, along with Of the Father's Love Begotten and The Bells of Christmas.

[@kapitanmuahaha6240]

Beautiful! Praise the Lord!!!

[@FruFoh]

Sang that solo on Christmas Eve

[@grundoon51]

Saw this service on Christmas Eve in Westminster Abbey..just staggeringly beautiful--I sat on John Masefield's plaque in the floor...

[@liberavieve]

Hey, thanks. I scanned through the stations last year and couldn't find it, but through a roundabout Google search, I just found that the ceremony will be broadcast on NPR's station in Philadelphia the morning of Christmas Eve. Thanks for the tip!

[@roylamberton9576]

How brave is singing 2 verses a cappella then having the Organ join for the 3rd verse.

[@TedMichaelMorgan]

Advent is wonderful, always full of hope and immense desire.

[@BurningForeverRoses]

One of my favourite songs to sing at church on Christmas eve. We had a Christmas music quiz, and I was the only one who knew the missing word in the lyrics

[@bassrob2]

There's nothing like it... I just got back from a joint choir cathedral tour of England, Canterbury, and France... We performed Dyson's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in D at St. Paul's... THAT is an experience...

[@ChloeLove-28]

my mum used to sing this to me when i was younger, makes me cry every time i hear it :(xx

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Sam, you and Edmund Rex are my favorite treble soloists of the KCC (and among my all-time favorite trebles along with Aled Jones and Anthony Way and Paul Miles Kingston.)

[@1wharfboy]

Saintly! Christmas hymn.

[@Xplayer007]

This song brings back memories of singing in a Boy Choir during a festival of lessons and carols with several choirs participating. /has nostalgic moment.

[@johnhu337]

very beautiful

[@orolute]

One of the best christmas songs. I love it, thanks for sharing.

[@hollielister2908]

wow , i have always loved this song and this choir are great.

[@tubermann1]

that boy's voice is so beautiful. brings me to tears

[@Hoodoo123]

that was 5 minutes of pure bliss! i am now officially in the Christmas spirit !

[@tjfSIM]

@ihaveawobble I couldn't agree more! It really is a beautiful carol, by far my favourite of all of them! Seasons greetings to you :)