Carlisle Cathedral Choir
Johnston joined the Carlisle Cathedral Choir aged six when Kim Harris, a teacher at his primary school, heard his voice and recommended he try out. He later became the cathedral's head chorister. Performances with the choir included appearances in Hungary, Poland, Ireland and a solo in the Basilica in Budapest. In September 2008, shortly before the release of his debut album, he embarked on a tour performing in Norwegian cathedrals. The idea of the tour was conceived because the diocese of Stavanger is a partner to the diocese of Carlisle. This was Johnston's last tour as a member of the choir, as choristers can only stay as members until the end of year eight.
Britain's Got Talent
Aged 13, Johnston tried out for the second series of Britain's Got Talent singing "Pie Jesu" and passed the audition. He was tipped as one of the favourites to win the show. Later, Johnston described his initial audition as daunting, saying that "it was scary singing in front of 2,500 people. I had never sang on stage before – then there was also Simon, Amanda and Piers". He was then put through to the live shows, the next stage of the competition, he won one of the semi-finals on 27 May, receiving the most public votes on the night, thereby qualifying for the final. He sang the Eric Clapton ballad "Tears in Heaven", with judge Amanda Holden saying to him that "you are truly gifted, you have a gift from God in your voice." At the final, on 30 May, he again sang "Pie Jesu". However, he finished in third place, losing out to the winner street dancer, George Sampson, with dance group Signature in second place. The day after the final, Max Clifford, who works as publicist for Simon Cowell, said that it was "quite possible" that Cowell would be signing some of the finalists, including Johnston.
During his initial audition, Johnston claimed that he was bullied and victimised from the age of six because of his singing. When asked by Simon Cowell how he deals with the issue at hand, he stated that he "carries on singing." There were claims from writers in the Daily Mail that the show's producers were deliberately misleading the viewers and enhancing his situation as a "sob story", and that his real "vote-winner" was the story of his bullying, rather than his singing. After the news of his debut album was released, Johnston was quoted as saying that "those bullies do not bother me now. I have my own life and my own album."
One Voice
On 12 June 2008 it was announced that Johnston had signed a record deal with Syco Music, Simon Cowell's division of Sony BMG, with an album to be produced after the Britain's Got Talent Live Tour. It is to be named One Voice and is due to be released on 29 September 2008. It includes a cover of Aled Jones's "Walking in the Air", performed with Faryl Smith, which has been tipped as a potential Christmas number one. After signing with Syco, Johnston made public appearances including performing at Andrew Lloyd Webber's birthday celebrations on 14 September, and at Carlisle United's Brunton Park.The album was recorded over a six week period in London, and the track listing was chosen by Simon Cowell.
Official homepage : http://www.andrewjohnstonmusic.com
Pie Jesu
Andrew Johnston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem.
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem.
Sempiternam, sempiternam requiem
[Translation]
Merciful Jesus, Merciful Jesus,
Merciful Jesus, Merciful Jesus
You who take away the sins of the world
Grant them peace
Grant them peace
Lamb of god, lamb of god,
lamb of god, lamb of god
You who take away the sins of the world
Grant them peace
Grant them peace
Everlasting, peace everlasting
Andrew Johnston's Pie Jesu is a hymn based on the Latin text of the Requiem Mass, which means 'Rest in peace'. The song is a prayer to Jesus to have mercy on the souls of the departed and grant them eternal peace. The opening lines of the song, 'Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu', are repeated multiple times, emphasizing the humility and submission to the will of the savior. The plea to 'Grant them peace' offers a sense of surrender and acceptance to the inevitable death of the departed.
The powerful and haunting melody of Pie Jesu is an expression of mourning for the souls of the departed. The song is meant to be sung in a slow and tranquil pace to evoke a sense of reverence and solemnity. The lyrics are poignant and convey a universal emotion of sadness and despair over death. The phrase 'Qui tollis peccata mundi' translates to 'You who take away the sins of the world' and is a reference to Jesus, who is considered the savior of humanity. The words 'Agnus Dei' mean 'Lamb of God,' which is another reference to Jesus, who is believed to have sacrificed himself to redeem humanity of their sins.
Line by Line Meaning
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu
Merciful Jesus, Merciful Jesus
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu
Merciful Jesus, Merciful Jesus
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
You who take away the sins of the world
Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem.
Grant them peace, Grant them peace.
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu
Merciful Jesus, Merciful Jesus
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu
Merciful Jesus, Merciful Jesus
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
You who take away the sins of the world
Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem.
Grant them peace, Grant them peace.
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Lamb of god, lamb of god,
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Lamb of god, lamb of god,
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
You who take away the sins of the world
Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem.
Grant them peace, Grant them peace.
Sempiternam, sempiternam requiem
Everlasting, peace everlasting
Writer(s): Michael Damien Hedges, Michael Philip Mcglynn, Michael Mcglynn, Andrew Lloyd Webber Copyright: Universal Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music Ltd., The Really Useful Group Ltd.
Contributed by Carson N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jacquelinehabgood-painter8867
Nobody but nobody has ever sung this as beautifully as Andrew.
@clarisnastase8163
agree! <3
@EquineDreams
His voice is a gift from heaven! Its glorious!
@user-zu6pb4og6f
❤️🌹👏👏👏👍
@AGirlWithoutAName
I’m so thrilled and moved. This boy and those who recorded this song knew what they were doing. They used the gift God gave him perfectly. Thanks for the sharing. God Bless 🙏🏻✝️
@ajrg1983
Vdd, essa melodia entra no mais profundo de nossa alma!😢❤
@noutubeusrnames
He literally gives me chills and fills my eyes with tears. It's absolutely unbelievable that voice is living in this humble sweet young boy. I'm a soprano and know what it takes to hit those high notes. I can listen to him all day long. AMAZING !!!
@HighSierraBob
Incredibly angelic vocals!! How can you possibly put into words how good this really is? I surely don't know!
@davisonantonini93
toda a vez que eu ouço essa música eu me arrepio completamente ! que voz maginifica !
@ajrg1983
Emocionante Mano! 🙏