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.
Wondrous Love
Cantus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?
2 When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down;
when I was sinking down beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.
3 To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM -
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
while millions join the theme, I will sing.
4 And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and when from death I'm free, I'll sing on;
and when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and through eternity I'll sing on.
The song "Wondrous Love" by Cantus is a hymn that reflects on the overwhelming love of God. The song begins with the singer expressing their awe for the love that caused the Lord of bliss, or God, to bear the dreadful curse for their soul. The idea that God would endure suffering on behalf of humanity is a powerful theme throughout the song. In the second verse, the singer describes how they were sinking under God's righteous judgment, but Christ, who is often portrayed as God's son, laid aside his crown to save them. This reinforces the theme of God's love in action - not only did God suffer on our behalf, but Jesus also gave up his status as a king for our salvation.
The third verse describes the singer's intention to continue singing praises to God and Jesus even if millions of others join in. This shows their dedication to the theme of God's love and the belief that it deserves endless celebration. Finally, in the fourth verse, the singer looks forward to being free from death and singing praises to God for eternity. This reinforces the idea that God's love persists not just in life, but in the afterlife as well.
Line by Line Meaning
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
I am amazed by the incredible love that the Lord has for me.
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?
I cannot believe that the Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed himself and took the weight of our sins, to save us from eternal damnation.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down, sinking down; when I was sinking down beneath God's righteous frown, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.
When I was drowning in sin, Christ abandoned his throne in heaven to save me from an end in eternal suffering. He humbly came to earth and took on a human form and laid down his life on the cross for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing, to God and to the Lamb, I will sing; to God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM - while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing; while millions join the theme, I will sing.
I want to praise and sing songs of thanksgiving to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. While billions of others in the world can join me in this melody, I will forever be grateful to God for his blessings and to Jesus Christ, who is the great I AM, for his salvation.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on, and when from death I'm free, I'll sing on; and when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be, and through eternity, I'll sing on, I'll sing on, and through eternity I'll sing on.
When I have been freed from this mortal body and the grip of death has been released, I will rejoice and sing praises of thanksgiving and adoration to the Lord forever and ever.
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.