The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
"Hallelujah Chorus" from Christ on the Mount of Olives
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For lord our God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For lord our God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For lord our God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
(For the lord God omnipotent reigneth)
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
(Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah)
Hallelujah
The kingdom of this world;
Is become
The kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ
And of His Christ
And He shall reign for ever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
And lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
And lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
And lord of lords
King of kings and lord of lords
And he shall reign
And he shall reign
And he shall reign
He shall reign
And he shall reign forever and ever
King of kings forever and ever
And lord of lords hallelujah hallelujah
And he shall reign forever and ever
King of kings and lord of lords
King of kings and lord of lords
And he shall reign forever and ever
Forever and ever and ever and ever
(King of kings and lord of lords)
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah
The lyrics to Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song "Hallelujah Chorus" from Christ on the Mount of Olives are a tribute to the power and glory of God. The song communicates the message that despite the trials and tribulations of the world, God reigns supreme and will continue to do so forever. The chorus repeats the word "Hallelujah" over and over again, reinforcing the joyful and celebratory nature of the song, as well as the idea that our devotion to God should be unending.
The song also alludes to the biblical revelation that the Kingdom of God has supplanted the Kingdom of the World, thanks to the power of Jesus Christ. The lyrics suggest that Christ is the ultimate ruler, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and that his reign will never end. The chorus even includes a verse that praises his infinite power in the past, present, and future, indicating that he has always been and always will be the ultimate authority.
Overall, the lyrics to "Hallelujah Chorus" communicate joy, praise, and awe in the face of God's power and reign. The piece speaks to the comfort and inspiration that people often find in their faith and the hope that they gain from knowing that a higher power is always in control.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Praise the Lord! Praise him five times over!
For lord our God omnipotent reigneth
Our all-powerful God reigns supreme.
The kingdom of this world;
The earthly kingdoms;
Is become
Have become
The kingdom of our Lord,
The heavenly kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ
And of His chosen one,
And He shall reign for ever and ever
And He will rule eternally.
King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
He is the highest king and will reign forever and ever, praise the Lord!
And lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
He is the greatest Lord and will reign forever and ever, praise the Lord!
King of kings and lord of lords
He is the king and lord above all others.
And he shall reign
And he will rule.
He shall reign
He will rule.
Forever and ever and ever and ever
Eternally and without end!
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord!
Writer(s): George Frederick Handel, H. Simeone
Contributed by Ava B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Venaccio
This oratorio is not performed often enough, not enough people are aware of it. A Beethoven masterpiece done well.
Laura McIntosh
I had the honor of singing this with a choir way back in the day. Every time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes. A masterpiece.
Quentin Kimber
One of my FAVORITES!
HALLELUJAH!!!
Diva Sinaga
ITS 2021 AND THIS MASTERPIECE STILL AMAZED ME ππβͺ
Clenda Kasiya
Am asking for the scole if you have
Brooks Javins
This performance is wonderful and a great joy for me. Thank you. God bless each and every one that participated .
Siwi Rahmadi Sadana
What an amazing choir perfectly dedicated to God .
Alceste Gramarim
Que louvor lindo!!! Gloria a Jesus pra todo o sempre, somente a ELE!!!
Mary Anne David
One of the most beautiful choruses from β The Mount of Olivesβ
Debora S Gomes
Liked this song a lot. And with this choir and orchestra it's perfect. Congratulations to all of you.