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.
Holy Holy Holy
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy, Merciful and Mighty!
God in Thy Glory through eternity!
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee;
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
All the world shall praise Thy Name in earth and sky and sea,
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Thy Glory, through eternity!
God in Thy Glory, through eternity!
The song “Holy, Holy, Holy” by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a Christian hymn that venerates God through praising His holiness and might. The lyrics of the song are a depiction of praises to God which touch on the theme of eternity. Through hymning God, the lyrics recognize Him as a merciful and mighty God, who deserves all the adoration and praise from all beings on earth, land, and sky. The song’s structure primarily focuses on the repetition of the phrase “Holy, Holy, Holy” and uses it to emphasize the repetition and eternity of adoration that humans should give God.
The song's first verse sets the tone of the entire hymn by welcoming the listener to the holy adoration of God. The second verse speaks of the adoration that saints give to God by casting their crowns before Him around the glassy sea, signifying the eternity of their praise. The third verse is a repeat of the first, emphasizing that every person, animal, and feature of the world is to praise God's Name in earth and sky and sea. The lyrics of the final verse conclude the hymn, serving as a reminder that God is timeless, and his glory will continue to shine through eternity.
Line by Line Meaning
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
We offer our highest praise to you, O powerful and mighty Lord!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
As the sun rises each day, we lift up our voices in song to worship you.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Merciful and Mighty!
You are not only powerful, but also compassionate and merciful, O Lord!
God in Thy Glory through eternity!
Your glory and majesty will endure forever, O eternal God!
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee;
All those who have devoted themselves to you worship and adore you, O Lord!
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
They humbly cast aside their earthly honors and lay them at your feet, O Lord!
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Even the heavenly beings bow in reverence before you, O Lord!
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
You have always existed, and you will always be, O God!
All the world shall praise Thy Name in earth and sky and sea,
Every corner of the world will echo with the praises of your holy name, O Lord!
God in Thy Glory, through eternity!
Your glory and majesty will endure forever, O eternal God!
Contributed by Victoria S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nanikdasani4547
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy, Merciful and Mighty!
God in Thy Glory through eternity!
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee;
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
All the world shall praise Thy Name in earth and sky and sea,
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Thy Glory, through eternity!
God in Thy Glory, through eternity!
@greentiger1730
@John Marquardt the original song was like this:
Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons (This is the place)
Blessed Trinity! (And here as well)
@olayinkasanni8191
God in threee persons, blessed trinity, Father, Son & Holy Spirit! Amen & Amen.
@Elizabeth-rk3do
God in three persons, blessed trinity! ❤
@jessieyoung2178
I like the words as they are presented in this version of this wonderful song I learned as a child in the Methodist church. I know the scriptures are clear that the Godhead is made up of three separate and distinct persons: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost---three persons who are one in purpose.
@seymoorepoone9512
If it ain’t thunderous, boisterous, spine chilling, and tear jerking, it ain’t worth listening to.
This version is the best.
@helleaarma1362
This was my Dad's favorite. 1911-2005
@adelaidefront4715
C'est devenu vital pour moi d'écouter le choeur du tabernacle merci
Je suis heureuse d'été membre de ,'église de Jésus Christ des Saints des derniers jours💛💛💛💛💛
@markmaiz1550
Holy, Holy, Holy, is one of the first hymns that I sang for God. Greetings from Lima Peru. Brothers in Christ Jesus.❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏😍😍😍😍🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪
@boat6float
As a Methodist church kid, this is one of my favorite hymns.
@g.alistar7798
2:17…those trumpets, The Lord shall return with a mighty shout and the trumpet shall sound!
@fayelewis5476
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity!