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.
Lift Thine Eyes
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Lift thine eyes
To the mountains
Whence cometh, whence cometh, whence cometh help.
Thy help cometh from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth.
He has saith thy for shall not be movèd
Thy keeper will never slumber
To the mountains
Whence cometh, whence cometh, whence cometh help.
Lift thine eyes, O lift thine eyes
To the mountains
Whence cometh, whence cometh, whence cometh help.
The lyrics of the song "Lift Thine Eyes" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir convey a message of hope and trust in the divine. The repeated refrain, "Lift thine eyes to the mountains, whence cometh help," is a call to look beyond earthly troubles and seek solace and assistance from a higher power. The mountains symbolize strength, stability, and the greatness of God.
The verse "Thy help cometh from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth" emphasizes that the source of aid is not from human hands but from the almighty creator. It reassures the listener that they can rely on God's unwavering support. The following line, "He hath said thy foot shall not be moved," suggests that God will protect and steady those who trust in Him.
The lyrics also emphasize the constant care of God, declaring that "thy keeper will never slumber." This further reinforces the idea of divine vigilance and the assurance that God is always present to provide help when needed. Overall, the lyrics of "Lift Thine Eyes" encourage listeners to lift their gaze above their immediate circumstances and find strength, comfort, and assistance in their faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Lift thine eyes
Look up and raise your gaze
Oh Lift thine eyes
Oh, raise your gaze even higher
To the mountains
Direct your attention towards the majestic mountains
Whence cometh, whence cometh, whence cometh help.
From where does, from where does, from where does assistance come.
Thy help cometh from the Lord
Your assistance comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth.
The creator of the celestial and terrestrial realms.
He has saith thy for shall not be movèd
He has proclaimed that you shall remain steadfast
Thy keeper will never slumber
Your protector will never sleep
Lift thine eyes, O lift thine eyes
Raise your gaze, oh raise your gaze
To the mountains
Direct your attention towards the majestic mountains
Whence cometh, whence cometh, whence cometh help.
From where does, from where does, from where does assistance come.
Lift thine eyes, O lift thine eyes
Raise your gaze, oh raise your gaze
To the mountains
Direct your attention towards the majestic mountains
Whence cometh, whence cometh, whence cometh help.
From where does, from where does, from where does assistance come.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID DELARGY, MIKE HEDGES, SALLI ISAAK, EUGENE O'HAGAN, MARTIN O'HAGAN, HERBERT SALLY, TRADITIONAL, FELIX J. L. MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY, MICHAEL DAMIEN HEDGES, SALLY HERBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gladys Ajaelo
This is a cherished song of my high school Choir days. Incredible !!! I love to sing it always. The lyrics come to life each time for me. I am now 70+ and "Thy keeper will never slumber..." I always assure myself. Amen! And Amen!
jc2971
I always love the MTC, but in this case, the women are too heavy handed with this piece. It needs to be much more delicate.