1. The Norwegian choral ensemble Cantus was formed in 1986 by a group of young women who wanted to take control of their own performances. The group, consisting of 30 amateur singers, is based in Tronheim and led by Tove Ramlo-Ystad, who joined as a singer and has become the group's director. Cantus typically performs arrangement of classical and contempary works, and has crossed over into jazz, folk, and pop music.
The group credits its participation in choral competitions with sharpening its focus and raising the quality of its performances.
Cantus has become an international sensation because of its inclusion on the soundtracks of both Disney films Frozen I and II, featuring the tracks Vuelie and Reindeer Circle, written by Frode Fjellheim and Christophe Beck.
2. Originally founded at St. Olaf College, Cantus is now a nine person male vocal ensemble based in Minneapolis. They sing a wide variety of vocal music, and have performed in some innovative theater pieces as well.
3. Cantus from Lithuania, making some mixture of Christian and Lithuanian folk music.
Keep Your Lamps
Cantus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For this ol' world is almost gone.
Brothers don′t get weary,
This ol' world is almost gone.
Sisters don't stop prayin′,
This ol′ world is almost gone.
Christian your journey soon will be over,
The time is drawing nigh.
Keep your lamps trimmed and a-burnin',
The time is drawing nigh.
In the song "Keep Your Lamps," Cantus urges listeners to remain vigilant and persevere in the face of challenges. The phrase "keep your lamps trimmed and a-burnin'" refers to the biblical parable of the ten virgins, in which five of the virgins are not prepared for the coming of the bridegroom because they did not have enough oil for their lamps. Cantus uses this parable to remind listeners to remain faithful and always be prepared for whatever may come, as this "ol' world is almost gone."
The repetition of "Brothers don't get weary" and "Sisters don't stop prayin'" emphasizes the importance of community and support during difficult times. The final verse, "Christian your journey soon will be over, The time is drawing nigh," reminds listeners that our time on earth is limited, and we must use it wisely to spread love and kindness.
The message of "Keep Your Lamps" has resonated with audiences of all backgrounds and has been performed by various artists over the years, including The Blind Boys of Alabama and The Grateful Dead. It has become a staple of Christian and folk music, encapsulating the human struggles and triumphs that have defined our shared history.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep your lamps trimmed and a-burnin′,
Stay vigilant and ready for any challenge that comes your way.
For this ol' world is almost gone.
This world is nearing the end of its existence.
Brothers don′t get weary,
Don't get disheartened or tired, keep pushing forward.
This ol' world is almost gone.
The world is changing and approaching its end.
Sisters don't stop prayin′,
Never give up on your faith and keep praying.
This ol′ world is almost gone.
The world is transitioning into a new era.
Christian your journey soon will be over,
Your journey as a Christian is coming to an end.
The time is drawing nigh.
The time for the end is approaching.
Keep your lamps trimmed and a-burnin',
Stay alert and ready for the end.
The time is drawing nigh.
The world is approaching its end.
Writer(s): Anonymus (ch), Takach Timothy C
Contributed by Ella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.