VOCES8 - Sigurbjörnsson: Heyr himna smiður

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VOCES8 perform Heyr himna smiður from their upcoming album 'Infinity', released on Decca Classics on 27th August 2021. Preorder now: voces8.lnk.to/...
www.voces8.com
#VOCES8 #MusicVideo
Music video by Voces8 performing Heyr himna smiður. A Decca Classics Video; © 2021 Universal Music Operations Limited
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[@siggiAg86]

This lyric was written by Kolbein Tumason, an Icelandic chieftain, Goði, in 1208 shortly before being killed in battle, the battle of Víðines. One of the most beautiful psalm written in Icelandic.

[@sigurvald1]

This is so well done that I instantly started to cry when I heard your absolutely beautiful singing. My father was a church organist for 39 years and this song was one of his all time favourites. When he passed away last year this was one of the songs in the funeral. Thank you guys for bringing back memories... and tears All the best from Iceland.

[@sigurjonmyrdal3873]

What an almost perfect pronunciation of this 800-year-old Icelandic hymn, together with a masterful intonation in this beautiful music from 1974 from Dr. Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson.

[@esmeraldagreen1992]

It sounds a lot like renaissance music

[@robertclemons845]

"He who sings, prays twice." - Saint Augustine

[@williamlee140]

"He who farts, elicits stern looks." - Uknown

[@Alanik06]

@@williamlee140 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thomasdef634]

and she who sings ?

[@williamlee140]

Is told to make haste back to the hearth and retrieve scrumptious morsels for hungry men.@@thomasdef634

[@Eagle_Beak]

​@thomasdef634 please don't let your agenda scorn this beautiful quote.

[@egillgud]

I can’t believe how Icelandic you sound! Please sing the other masterpiece of Icelandic choir music. Requiem by Jón Leifs.

[@SuperGamli]

Coming from an Icelander: their pronunciation is very impressive!

[@hannahmccoy8336]

Please can you translate for us

[@wyattmichaelproductions]

@@hannahmccoy8336 Here you go. Hear, O smith of heavens, what the poet asks. May softly come unto me thy mercy. So I call on thee, for thou hast created me. I am thy slave, Thou art my Lord. God, I call on thee to heal me. Remember me, mild one, Most we need thee. Drive out, O king of suns, generous and great, every human sorrow from the city of the heart. Watch over me, mild one, Most we need thee, truly every moment in the world of men. send us, son of the virgin, good causes, all aid is from thee, in my heart.

[@MojligheternasRum]

Ja Thad er satt

[@hannahmccoy8336]

@@wyattmichaelproductions thank you

[@justincombs7433]

Your native tongue is hauntingly beautiful.

[@wyattmichaelproductions]

I absolutely love this. So beautiful to hear worship in the old tongue. If the northern lights have a sound, this is it.

[@TalynStormcrow]

Beautifully put.

[@joshuamallory8107]

Beautiful comment.

[@wyattmichaelproductions]

@@joshuamallory8107 Thank you!

[@wyattmichaelproductions]

@@TalynStormcrow Thank you!

[@gileslethbridge3581]

The Northen Lights were with us long before worship. Thank God. (Sic)

[@ВеснаБогданова-й1к]

Как же они чувствуют друг друга, это изумительно когда ты с другим рядом стоящим исполняет одной душой.

[@Julierue]

Just wow. Y’all remind me of the complexity and beauty of Earth. Many thanks.

[@fenriseisensturm6687]

This song was played on my fathers funeral. Thank you for this beautiful piece of art.

[@AnnaMaria-zm8cv]

I had it also played at my uncles funeral, (by other performers though) which I couldnt attent due to covid, as I live in Iceland and my family in Netherlands. My uncle also had a weak spot for Iceland. My family played this song the night before he died, and he smiled hearing it, clearly he loved to hear it even if he was barely concious. We had it play when he was brought into the chapel during the funeral as well. I wish I was there in person. This song has always enchanted me, no matter who sings it, but for funerals it really is a miracle potion of giving strength and serenity.

[@fenriseisensturm6687]

@@AnnaMaria-zm8cv Absolutely right. A wonderful song. It was a good decision to pick it.

[@bjarnitryggvason7866]

Thank you for singing this classic and beautiful hymn from my country so very well. Hafið þökk fyrir.

[@hagsmunamadurinn]

Kudos on the pronunciation! I am Icelandic, and I did not cringe this time.

[@plikagarnet7710]

They sing like real angels 😍🙏🏻Thank you God for this gift !

[@ArcofNeptune]

Indeed! Thanks be to God!🙏❤‍🔥

[@thomaslouziotis8029]

One of the best vocal groups ever!!!!

Unbelievable what harmonies are capable of! My tears just came, and came, and came...

[@rodolfo0506]

This is what Music is meant to do: to raise the level of conscious of the People. Thanks for your lofty mission

[@Zorroninitor]

Beautiful! Perfectly pronounced Icelandic. Thank you!

[@JustMe-rn5uf]

I heard this on a 9-1-1:Lone Star Season 3 Episode 18- Season Finale: A Bright and Cloudless Morning. Captain Strand(Rob Lowe) is trapped in a building that collapsed due to an explosion. He is faced with a memory from his past, when he was trapped in the Twin Towers with a police officer. This music was quite moving and haunting. Something I could fall asleep to and that is saying something, being an insomniac. There is a calm...a sense of peace, when this song is sung. Such heavenly and blessed voices. Just Beautiiful.🇨🇦

[@paulpearman2347]

I saw that same episode a few night ago on the TV here in Perth WA, yes very moving & beautiful piece that had me searching through my Voces8 albums for more of their tracks to listen to. I've played this piece over and over, puts me in a very peaceful place. Cheers Paul

[@kevinfunnell4223]

“If it weren’t for music, I would think that love is mortal.” Mark Helprin

[@louisnorth5976]

Beautifully done. I wish the English translation lended itself to the rhythm of the piece. The text of the song is truly poignant.

[@gunnarthorsen]

Hear, smith of heavens. The poet seeketh. In thy still small voice Mayest thou show grace. As I call on thee, Thou my creator. I am thy servant, Thou art my true Lord. God, I call on thee; For thee to heal me. Bid me, prince of peace, Thou my supreme need. Ever I need thee, Generous and great, O’er all human woe, City of thy heart. Guard me, my savior. Ever I need thee, Through ev’ry moment In this world so wide. Virgin-born, send me Noble motives now. Aid cometh from thee, To my deepest heart. Lyrics by Kolbeinn Tumason 1173-1208 (composed on his death bed) Music by Thorkell Sigurbjornsson 1938-2013

[@TheForestpat]

Thank you for that

[@thoraro]

Nice one, but there is some poetic licence i the interpretation

[@huldahjartar]

Beautiful rendition of this favourite piece. Spot on pronounciation of the Icelandic as well, bravo.

[@Ima-si4kd]

I just wanna say thank you for doing such an amazing job at pronouncing everything!

[@hortonharry3492]

This is great! Captures the infinite wisdom and undying love of the eternal heart, the voice of God itself. A beacon of immortal light to guide the human soul through the turbulent storm driven waters of our dark world.

[@greenemonger]

A new video from the 8!! Always makes my day!

[@AccordingtoJohn]

Everything you do is absolutely beautiful!

[@tylercriss6435]

I heard this song years ago. Years. I heard this piece in the haunting echo of a train station in a youtube video, and it has enchanted me since. And now I see that you have decided to cover this marvelous piece! My favorite piece with my favorite performers. What a wonderful day! I just can't possibly express how happy this makes me. It's like two spheres of heaven converged.

[@mimzou]

Fuck... Same here, exactly. You nailed it.

[@Jonne2002]

You heard the Arstidir version. Great band! You should check their stuff

[@mimzou]

@@Jonne2002 Already did of course.

[@Jonne2002]

@@mimzou nice :)

[@brandovichb9045]

I absolutely agree.

[@louloukroon-zitko5760]

wonderfully soothing, balsam for the ear and soul! thank you voces8!

[@crazzee247]

one of the best recordings of this magical and ethereal piece of vocal music. brava!

[@leahrosenman9124]

beautiful dissonances. stunning performance!

[@lotteuytterhoeven2431]

I love these beautiful people from Voces 8 because they put all the emotions in their faces. Watching and listening to this gives me inner peace. So beautiful! I never heard Icelandic before, such a beauty.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Closely akin to Danish. First Vikings to settle here. The Prime Minister's son, Thor, was in grad school in Denmark with my group.

[@AnnaMaria-zm8cv]

@@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401 not at all. Its closer to old norse, which is this hymne sung in, as old Icelandic is quite identical to old norse. Danish is the second language here in Iceland as Iceland used to be part of the Danish kingdom, but they never managed to push their language as official, luckily not because celandic is too beautiful. Iceland was also not settled by Danish, they came after they claimed Iceland as their own, the settlers came mostly from Norway and brought slaves from Ireland, creating the genetic base of most Icelanders today. Icelandic is a beautiful poetic language that in spoken version is absolutely unique and unlike any other Scandinavian language. And sung its even more enchanting. Faroese may come close as a mixture between Danish and Icelandic.

[@markcarter3617]

An 800 year old piece of history so well performed.

[@LamanKnight]

I've been in need of something beautiful and peaceful for these past few days. And then this showed up in my subscriptions. Thank you. :)

[@fSqGG]

One of my favorite choral pieces. Fantastic work.

[@jackjohnhameld6401]

The novelist William Styron said he was alone in his house and contemplating suicide, when he heard a beautiful piece of music on television, and rang a friend to tell him how bad he was feeling. He couldn't have heard Voces8, since they were not around then, but I would recommend them to anyone in spiritual grief.

[@jessepates8956]

this video should have millions of views!!! absolute masterpiece, i get chills every time!!!

[@LK-wf2pf]

This performance is the very definition of music. Which is to say, this performance evokes an emotion so beautiful, so deep, so transcend it is beyond the capability of any language to describe.

[@HymnworksInc]

I mean, on videos like this, there’s no need to have a dislike button. Ethereal and stunning.

[@hckr_-gh7se]

absolutely right. and yet some goblins dare...

[@Greksallad]

I'm an atheist but this will forever be one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.

[@sdbrev210]

This IS perfection, worthy of quiet meditation on both music and lyric. VOCES8...there is nothing better.

[@katharinaurbschat1401]

I thank you wholeheartedly for singing this beautiful piece in this exquisite sound. I discovered it some years back, and worked it with one of my choir (nowhere near your quality ... ). It means a lot to me.

[@jomurphy1654]

I have no more elevated adjectives left...'entrancing' will have to do!

[@namelesstemple]

WHO THE HELL ARE THE 11 PEOPLE WHO DOWNVOTED THIS, WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU

[@light1002]

I suppose it's a sort of addiction, but the last thing I do every night is play this video at least once or twice (and probably more...)

[@BlueSky-eb2sv]

I'm doing the same.

[@guitargirl7452]

I hope this is what Heaven sounds like. So beautiful and deeply moving. Touches my soul. 💓

[@BlueSky-eb2sv]

@@guitargirl7452 0:40; 1:46; 2:26; 2:35 with these beautiful Angels 💖

[@mbg484]

Haunting, yet hopeful and as always, exquisitely sung. Such a lovely interlude!

[@TAP7a]

The minor 9th tunings and balancing here is absolute perfection

[@ohedd]

Yea the performance is great, but it's the composition that is actually magical. How people can even come up with these things is beyond my comprehension.

[@_Cato_]

No earthly idea what that means but this piece of pure Heaven

[@saetmusic]

Beautiful piece! Gorgeous performance! Lovely camera work! A complete treasure!

[@vanhelsing9342]

I think " exquisite " is the appropriate description here.

[@Azalin1980]

Listening to this piece gives me goose bumps every time. Voices of angels...

[@riverwildcat1]

Icelandic: "Hear the heavenly carpenter". Exquisitely beautiful. God Bless You All.

[@HenrikBergpianorganist]

Oh, I haven't heard this in years. Used to have a recording of it with an Icelandic choir that I always listened to 20 years ago...

[@buyckruben5767]

Stunning performance! Goosebumps all over my body.

[@lutz-wernerhesse7135]

Real fascinating and amazing, georgious sound and intonation, deeply moving!

[@clarityrains]

This was wonderful. I have always loved the arstidir version and nothing so far has come even close to matching the beautiful sound the created in that train station. I really wanted to hear that super deep, resonating bass here though which I didn’t quite hear. Thoroughly enjoyed this though and will listen many more times int he future!

[@ivofensterseifer4311]

Maravilhosa interpretação. Alimento para a alma. Obrigado Voces8!

[@net_marie3153]

This is immensly beautiful. My heart seems to expand and I start wheeping at the same time.

[@ArcofNeptune]

I agree! See my reply to Michael Wyatt's translation in the comments 🥲🙏

[@clorimer6456]

enigmatic, beautiful. listening to this piece with your eyes closed, brings you to unexplored lands

[@philippequesnel]

So much beauty. thank you. Here's a dream: having the vocal capacity and precision required and singing this *with you* .. ohhhhhh, must be just incredible !!

[@emilydouglass7075]

Oh my goodness I just realized how AMAZING it would be to sing with this group, especially as I am a vocalist myself!!

[@finstrand]

Egad, such beauty. The welkin reverberates with such sonority.

[@davidbrook7121]

Exquisitely-done. Those suspended-fourths and tight-seconds (!) are brilliantly-realized. Your are true treasures, Voces8. One could meditate to the breathing. The deer on our hill draw nigh when they hear your music...

[@1keithvincent]

"The deer on our hill draw nigh when they hear your music..." What a spectacular compliment!

[@DaughterofTheKing960]

I Just noticed Last Autumn HOW MUCH DEER LOVE music!!, It's so CUTE and FUNNY!! I was AMAZED!!! I think animals, in general LOVE Music!!! Especially BIRDS!!🐶🐰🐷🐮🐴🐑🐼🐔🐬🐧🐨...🐦😄

[@892-q9o]

Brilliant piece and brilliantly performed ... 3:07 just listen to the bass-octave over- resp. undertone. Wow!

[@wacawlubinski5218]

Sztuka z najwyższej półki. Jak Was Drodzy nie kochać, za ten cudowny Śpiew. Pozdrawiam serdecznie. PL

[@michaelowens5394]

English metrical translation: 1. Hear, O Smith of heavens, These my supplications. Softly unto me Draw Thy charity. Thus I call on Thee, For Thou hast crafted me. Thy mere slave am I, Thou my Lord on high. 2. God, I call upon Thee: Hear my pray’r and heal me. Kindly King, pay heed: Thou our highest need. Ruler of all might, Bountiful, blessed, bright: Drive all sorrows deep From my heart’s true keep. 3. Guard us, gentle Sov’reign, Need we Thy protection; Ev’ry moment here In the world of fear. Virgin-born, O Thou, Cleanse ev’ry motive now: Thine own help impart Deep into my heart.

[@joannalaska9866]

Thank you so much

[@syncopate50]

Thanks so much!

[@autumnklatt3357]

Thank you for the translation

[@g.-o.2243]

Bars.

[@sysOpModular]

When God briefly visits His creation in spirit.

[@peterlowie5067]

Everything your voices touch is changing in magic contemplation. It goes deep into my soul.. Thank you all so much.. You are AMAZING

[@thomasdef634]

this song is lovelier and loftier than a cathedral. the sound itself is hallowed space. i want to live here, in the world of this song

[@tomoconnor9502]

that's a nice icelandic tune. your beautiful music, very inspiring, Andrea, your voice is gorgeous, and in these times of COVID I'm sure a comfort to all. God bless you.

[@a1ar127]

Listening to Voces8 recording from so many different venues, I am still in awe of the sound engineers who can bring it together. There are no visible microphones and I’ve always wondered if these performances are re- recorded for KZbin.

[@Victoriacariad]

Oh my God you beautiful people. I've been wishing you to do this one!

[@charleslegault4310]

Amazing!!!...I so love all your work... Ottawa, Canada

[@jontolar6838]

Isn’t this the song those dudes sang in the train station like 10 years ago?

[@ChrisEchoes]

Those dudes being Icelandic band Arstidir.

[@jontolar6838]

@@ChrisEchoes Nah, it was some drunk dudes chillin in a train station in like Brooklyn. One was even drinking a beer.

[@ChrisEchoes]

@@jontolar6838 Hell no, it was Arstidir and it was in Germany ... take note of the beer bottle in the hand of one of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2XHhWt8f5d6e5I

[@silviafalbe6483]

@@ChrisEchoes I believe it was in Wuppertal in Western Germany.

[@leslie2760]

This makes my soul settle.

[@pietje32]

Absolutely wonderful performance, but somehow I miss the chime of a German trainstation...

[@mathatton]

So beautiful. The best rendition of this hymn that I've heard - thank you for sharing!

[@theinfamousches1258]

this is fucking beautiful

[@theinfamousches1258]

how did I get here? lol

[@crazycherokee8552]

listening to this is about as close to being in Valhalla as you can get while still living in this realm.

[@fenrislyulf8861]

Found this place through the television show: 911 Lonestar. This music is life-changing.

[@rudilang7716]

Wieder grossartig. Tiefsten Dank

[@gumundurgumundsson8181]

Ég hef heyrt margar útgáfur af þessu guðdómalegri útsetningu, en þetta er með þeirri betri. Reyndar eiga Scola Cantorum sennilega betri útgáfu af þessu :)

[@Seraphatum]

And again i am captured by the moment of beauty and compassion. Marvellous performance

[@bahoonies]

Gorgeous. I love those suspensions. They send shivers down my spine. Or is it up it? Whatever, it's delicious.

[@ltamez2635]

Her eyes are so blue! Amazing voices from all them all!!

[@vitorsouza361]

PERFECT!! since Háskólakórinn singing in Zionskirche and Árstíðir on the train station, that I needed a new Heyr himna smiður version... THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[@kitkatwelshlady8465]

And the Faroese artist, Eivor. You should check her out. Amazing. Sang for bbc Last Kingdom soundtrack and God of War 😊

[@MariaEskelinen]

If hamas would hear that they would immidiatelly stop feeling this anger

[@ohmy5650]

Went searching for the title and found this is an Icelandic religious or/and children's song. How heavenly fitting VOCES8's version sounds 💎💝 Unforgettable. Which heaven do you all descend from? Music-perfect?

[@DaughterofTheKing960]

I L-O-V-E this BEAUTIFUL Hymn SOOOO Much, I could listen to it ALL DAY LONG!!!👏👏👏❤💕❤💕❤😌💐💐💐💐

[@markpowell9645]

I love the music stands with iPads atop.

[@alexandrelucasworld7109]

Didnt this play in 9-1-1 lone star 3x18 *Aka season 3 ep 18*

[@catplaytime1044]

Giving me the chills. Absolutely angelical and beautiful.

[@danieltripp6602]

This is my favorite song. Literally.

[@jamessloan_tech]

Arstidir made me love this 8 or so years ago!

[@thomasnickel2883]

Himmlisch.....,❤️

[@admiralcapn]

You need to find the same train station as Arstioir and record this again!

[@silviafalbe6483]

I believe it was Wuppertal in Germany.

[@vladimird.5986]

@@silviafalbe6483 This song has been sung in wuppertal? Do i understand that right? I lived there a month ago :o

[@silviafalbe6483]

@@vladimird.5986 According to their information added to the video, the song was recorded in Wuppertal on Sept. 15,2013.

[@FalcoRusticolus]

Боже, как это прекрасно. Слушала в слезах. Благодарю.

[@anamericaninbusan9389]

I wish the lower voices were a little stronger. They're kinda being overpowered by the sopranos. Still good though.

[@loicmaignan3298]

Super très beau j’adore ❤️

[@joaoguimaraes5430]

Beautiful... as always, with Voces8!!

[@lovisaarna]

Wow, this is probably the best pronunciation I have heard from a non Icelandic group. My favourite piece to sing and this is a fantastic performance..

[@Galactus-gp8jj]

Rest in peace gazan people innocent babies of palestine 🇵🇸

[@AnnaG121]

Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you.