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.
Veni Veni Emmanuel
Libera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Veni, veni Emmanuel!
Captivum solve Israel
Qui gemit in exsilio
Privatus Dei Filio
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Veni, O Sapientia
Quae hic disponis omnia
Veni, viam prudentiae
Ut doceas et gloriae
Gaude, gaude
Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
O come, O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Gaude, gaude
Gaude, gaude
The song "Veni Veni Emmanuel" by Libera is a Latin hymn that dates back to the 8th century. The hymn is also known as "O come, O come Emmanuel" in English. The song is a plea for the coming of Emmanuel, which means "God with us." The lyrics speak of the captive state of Israel, mourning in exile, and waiting for the Son of God to appear and break the chains of captivity. The people of Israel are described as being in a state of great longing and yearning for freedom and the arrival of salvation.
The first part of the song calls on Emmanuel to come and release Israel from captivity. The second part is an invocation of the "O Antiphons," which are seven verses that were incorporated into the Advent liturgy in the Middle Ages. Each verse addresses a different aspect of the Messiah, like "O Wisdom," "O Lord of Might," and "O Key of David." Each antiphon is designed to evoke a different aspect of the coming Christ, and the song ends with a repetition of the cry "Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel," which means "Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel."
Line by Line Meaning
O come, O come Emmanuel
We are yearning for your arrival, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
Free the imprisoned people of Israel who are being held against their will
That mourns in lonely exile here
The people of Israel are sad and depressed, exiled from their homeland
Until the Son of God appear
Israel will continue to wait until the Messiah arrives
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
We are filled with joy and happiness because you, Emmanuel, are coming
Shall come to thee, O Israel
You, Israel, will soon be graced with the presence of Emmanuel
O come, O Wisdom
We need your guidance and intelligence, Wisdom
Who orders all things mightily
You, Wisdom, have the power to arrange all things in the universe
To us the path of knowledge show
Enlighten us with your wisdom, so that we may gain knowledge
And teach us in her ways to go
Guide us in the right direction and instruct us on how to live our lives
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
We are filled with joy and happiness because you, Emmanuel, are coming
Shall come to thee, O Israel
You, Israel, will soon be graced with the presence of Emmanuel
Rejoice, rejoice!
We are filled with excitement and pleasure
Rejoice, rejoice!
We are filled with excitement and pleasure
Contributed by Chloe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alexander Toporov
on Lacrymosa
Amazing!