The distinctive sound of Libera has travelled the world in the last few yea… Read Full Bio ↴The distinctive sound of Libera has travelled the world in the last few years. The group's albums have topped both mainstream and classical charts in many countries, and their recordings hold their place in top-tens alongside major artists like Andrea Bocelli.

The boys who make up the vocal band Libera have been described as “normal” and “ordinary.” However, as their recordings and performances demonstrate, the music they produce is truly extraordinary. With shimmering, mystical chords and ecstatic harmonies, they are unlike any other group you have ever heard. These are truly sounds to lift the soul, celestial sounds for a new time.

The singers of Libera, who are aged seven to sixteen, attend many different local schools in South London and come from a variety of backgrounds. Although they are boys and they sing, they do not think of themselves as choirboys, but rather as an alternative kind of boy band.

While the unique sound of Libera may be impossible to pigeonhole, its universal appeal has endeared the group to fans all over the world, particularly in the US, the UK, Korea and Japan, where their CDs top the mainstream and classical charts and where they pack concert halls appearing in their trademark flowing white robes on imaginatively lit stages.

In Dulci Jubilo
Libera Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now sing with hearts aglow
Our delight and pleasure lies in praesepio
like sunshine is our treasure, Matris in gremio
Alpha es et O

O Jesu parvule
For thee I long alway
Comfort my heart's blindness, O puer optime

With all thy loving kindness, O principes gloriae
Trahe me post te

O patris caritas
O nati lenitas
Deeply were we stained, per nostra crimina
But thou for us hast gained, coelorum gaudia
O that we were there

Ubi sunt gaudia
in any place but there
There are angels singing, in nova cantica

and there the bells are ringing, in Regis curia
O that we were there

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Libera's song "In Dulci Jubilo" convey a sense of joy and longing for the presence of Jesus. The song begins by inviting us to sing with hearts aglow, finding delight and pleasure in the manger (praesepio) where Jesus lies. This image is compared to sunshine, emphasizing the warmth and radiance that Jesus brings. The lyrics then address Jesus directly, using endearing terms like "O Jesu parvule" (O little Jesus) and expressing a longing to be comforted by him. The mention of "O principes gloriae" (O prince of glory) suggests that Jesus is seen as a source of light and guidance.

The second stanza continues with a focus on the love and kindness of Jesus and his ability to heal our spiritual blindness. "O patris caritas" (O love of the Father) and "O nati lenitas" (O gentleness of the Son) highlight the divine attributes of Jesus. The lyrics acknowledge humanity's flawed nature, represented by our stained existence due to our sins, but also proclaim the redemption and joy that Jesus brings. The desire to be in the presence of angels and to hear the bells ringing in the court of the King reflects a longing for the heavenly realm, where Jesus resides.

Line by Line Meaning

Now sing with hearts aglow
Let us sing joyfully with our hearts filled with happiness

Our delight and pleasure lies in praesepio
We find joy and happiness in the nativity scene

Like sunshine is our treasure, Matris in gremio
The presence of the mother (Mary) is like a precious source of warmth and joy

Alpha es et O
You are the beginning and the end

O Jesu parvule
Oh, little Jesus

For thee I long alway
I always long for you

Comfort my heart's blindness, O puer optime
Bring comfort to the blindness in my heart, oh good child

With all thy loving kindness, O principes gloriae
Show me your loving kindness, oh ruler of glory

Trahe me post te
Draw me close behind you

O patris caritas
Oh love of the Father

O nati lenitas
Oh gentleness of the Son