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.
All Glory Laud and Honor
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
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All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Triumphantly
1.All glory, laud, and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
Who in the Lord's name comest,
The King and Blessed One.
2.The company of angels
Are praising thee on high,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
With palms before thee went;
Our praise and love and anthems
Before thee we present.
3.To thee, before thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the love we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.
Text: Theodulph of Orleans, ca. 760–821
Psalm 148
John 12: 12–13
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" is an expression of devotion and praise to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer and King. The lyrics acknowledge him as the King of Israel and David's royal son, who came in the name of the Lord as the King and Blessed One. The song celebrates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where the people of the Hebrews greeted him with palm branches as a symbol of their hope and gratitude.
The second stanza of the song highlights the company of angels who are praising Christ on high, while mortal men and all things created join their voices in reply. The song presents the believers' hearts and praises before Christ, and acknowledges his acceptance of their love and adoration. Overall, the lyrics of "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" express gratitude to Jesus Christ for his sacrifice, his grace, and his eternal reign as King and Redeemer.
Line by Line Meaning
All glory, laud, and honor
We give you all honor, glory, and praise
To thee, Redeemer, King,
We give honor and reverence to you, our Savior and our King
To whom the lips of children
Even children recognize your greatness and sing your praises
Made sweet hosannas ring.
Their sweet praises and cries of 'hosanna' fill the air
Thou art the King of Israel,
You are the King of Israel, the chosen people of God
Thou David's royal Son,
You are also the royal Son of David, a prophesied King of Israel
Who in the Lord's name comest,
You come in the name of the Lord, sent to save us and redeem us
The King and Blessed One.
You are the King and the Blessed One, the one we have been waiting for
The company of angels
The heavenly hosts of angels
Are praising thee on high,
Sing your praises and worship you in heaven
And mortal men and all things
All of creation
Created make reply.
Joins in the chorus to praise and worship you
The people of the Hebrews
The Israelites
With palms before thee went;
Waving palm branches, they went before you as a sign of honor and obedience
Our praise and love and anthems
We offer our praise, love, and songs of worship
Before thee we present.
We bring these offerings before you
To thee, before thy passion,
Before your suffering and death on the cross
They sang their hymns of praise;
The Israelites sang their songs of worship and praise to you
To thee, now high exalted,
Now that you have been exalted to the highest place in heaven
Our melody we raise.
We continue to sing our worship to you, in a new song
Thou didst accept their praises;
You accepted the praises of the Israelites
Accept the love we bring,
Accept the love we bring to you in our worship and praise
Who in all good delightest,
You take pleasure in all things good and pure
Thou good and gracious King.
You are a good and gracious King that we are blessed to serve and worship
Contributed by Aiden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.