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.
The Twelfth Night Song
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
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The moon is flying high,
And somewhere a bird
Who is bound he'll be heard
Is throwing his heart at the sky!
It's a grand night for singing,
The stars are bright above.
And to add to the show,
I think I am falling in love!
Falling, falling in love.
[Chorus]
It's a grand night for singing,
The moon is flying high,
And somewhere a bird
Who is bound he'll be heard,
Is throwing his heart at the sky!
Maybe it's more than the moon,
Maybe it's more than the birds,
Maybe it's more than sight of the night,
In a light too lovely for words.
Maybe it's more than the earth
Shiny in silvery blue.
Maybe the reason I'm feeling this way
Has something to do with you!
[Chorus]
It's a grand night for singing,
The stars are bright above.
The earth is a-glow
And, to add to the show
I think I am falling in love!
Falling, falling in love!
Margie and Pat:
It's a grand night for singing,
The moon is flying high,
And somewhere a bird
Who is bound he'll be heard,
Is throwing his heart at the sky!
[Chorus]
The Twelfth Night Song by Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a romantic and whimsical tune that celebrates the beauty of nature and the feelings it evokes. The lyrics describe a magical night where the moon is high and the stars are shining bright, and a bird is singing its heart out somewhere in the distance. The singer is moved by the splendor of the night and acknowledges that there might be more than meets the eye. The simple beauty of the world around them may be the reason they are "falling in love," or maybe there's someone special there to share the moment with. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a delightful ode to love and the grandeur of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a grand night for singing
Tonight is a wonderful time to sing and enjoy life
The moon is flying high
The moon is illuminating the sky brightly
And somewhere a bird
Who is bound he'll be heard
Is throwing his heart at the sky!
Even the birds feel compelled to sing their hearts out on such a beautiful night
The stars are bright above
The stars in the sky are shining brilliantly
The earth is a-glow
The surroundings are shimmering in a beautiful, radiant light
And to add to the show
As an addition to this wonderful scenery
I think I am falling in love!
I am experiencing a strong romantic infatuation
Maybe it's more than the moon,
Perhaps there are deeper emotions at play than just admiring the moon
Maybe it's more than the birds,
Perhaps the cause of my happiness is not just due to the singing birds
Maybe it's more than sight of the night,
Perhaps the beauty of the night sky is not the only thing affecting my emotions
In a light too lovely for words.
The extraordinary beauty of this night is beyond the power of language to fully express
Maybe it's more than the earth
Shiny in silvery blue.
Perhaps the reason for these feelings goes beyond the beauty of the earth's shimmering blue appearance
Maybe the reason I'm feeling this way
Has something to do with you!
It's possible that my feelings are being influenced by someone special
Falling, falling in love!
My feelings of affection are deepening more and more
Margie and Pat: It's a grand night for singing,
The moon is flying high,
And somewhere a bird
Who is bound he'll be heard,
Is throwing his heart at the sky!
Margie and Pat agree that tonight is a perfect time to sing, as even the birds are expressing their love with their songs
[Chorus]
The refrain of the song repeats the idea that tonight is a wonderful night for music and celebrating the beauty of life
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: OSCAR II HAMMERSTEIN, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind