The music of New York City based composer and pianist Ola Gjeilo has been performed and recorded in more than 25 countries worldwide in venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, Miami’s Knight Concert Hall and Jackie Gleason Theatre, and the National Galleries in London and Washington DC. His publishers include Walton Music, Oxford University Press and Musikk-Huset. Walton Music is the exclusive publisher of Gjeilo’s music for choir.
Ola’s first solo piano CD, Stone Rose, was released in October, 2007 on the Grammy® nominated label 2L, and is available in stores worldwide as well as on amazon.com and iTunes. The album is filled with his own lyrical music in the crossroads between classical and jazz, sometimes also joined by cello, violin and flugelhorn.
Gjeilo has written music for several short films and for television, now channeled through his media music company, Nordic Screen Music, which he co-owns with composer Asmund Skuterud.. Ola’s music has been featured on PBS in America, on the Swedish and Danish Broadcast Corporations and on all the major Norwegian TV channels as well as several radio stations.
He has been commissioned by several ensembles and musicians worldwide, including American soprano Barbara Bonney (New England Songs, 2005), Ensemble Mendelssohn, Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay, Philip Brunelle, Musikk-Huset Publishing House, St. Olaf Manitou Singers, and Voces Nordicae. His choral music has also been performed by other elite choirs such as Kansas City Chorale, Phoenix Bach Choir, World Youth Choir, VocalEssence, Norwegian Soloists’ Choir, and the Swedish Radiokören.
Northern Lights "Pulchra es amica mea"
Ola Gjeilo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suavis et decora filia Ierusalem.
Pulchra es, amica mea,
Suavis et decora sicut Ierusalem,
Terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata.
Averte oculos tuos a me
Quia ipsi me avolare fecerunt.
The song "Northern Lights" by Ola Gjeilo is inspired by the sacred Latin text "Pulchra es amica mea" which translates to "You are beautiful, my love." The opening lines of the song "Pulchra es, amica mea, suavis et decora filia Ierusalem" can be interpreted to mean "You are beautiful, my love, sweet and lovely daughter of Jerusalem." The song paints a vivid picture of the beauty and majesty of Jerusalem and draws a comparison between the physical beauty and the spiritual significance of the city.
In the next section of the song, the lyrics become more intense with the comparison of the beauty of Jerusalem to a well-ordered army. The line "Terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata" translates to "Terrible as an army set in battle array." The words evoke images of an ancient army marching in perfect formation, ready to face any challenge. This imagery reflects the power and strength of Jerusalem as not only a place of beauty but also a symbol of might and courage.
Finally, the song ends on a more melancholy note with the line "Averte oculos tuos a me, qui ipsi me avolare fecerunt" which means "Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have made me flee away." This line suggests that the beauty of Jerusalem and the love that is expressed through the song are both bittersweet. It is a reminder that beauty is fleeting, and that love can sometimes be painful. Overall, "Northern Lights" is a deeply moving and reflective piece that explores themes of beauty, love, and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Pulchra es, amica mea,
My beloved is beautiful and lovely.
Suavis et decora filia Ierusalem.
She is sweet and charming like the daughters of Jerusalem.
Pulchra es, amica mea,
My beloved is beautiful and lovely.
Suavis et decora sicut Ierusalem,
She is sweet and charming like the daughters of Jerusalem.
Terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata.
She is as formidable as a well-ordered army.
Averte oculos tuos a me
Turn your eyes away from me.
Quia ipsi me avolare fecerunt.
Because they have made me take flight.
Writer(s): Dp, Ola Gjeilo
Contributed by Alexandra G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@katvloom6542
My highschool chamber choir sang this. They hated how hard it was but it sounded amazing lol.
@Ladida386
It really does sound amazing. 😍
@Alpacallama135
We just started learning it and damn it’s really high
@barpe4514
We started studying it in my choir. After a year of Online or outside rehearsals I heard it the first time indoors and almost started crying. The harmonies, the nolody, they touched something inside me, as cheesy as it may sound 😂 it really got me emotional and I'm glad I can continue listening to this song all night
Their performance was absolutely amazing
@keisimusic
What a beautiful performance. I have to give a shout out to the incredible altos 🤍
@frankwolff5488
It's so amazing to see people sing Ola's pieces all over the planet. He has planted his vision into people's hearts everywhere.
@RichardASK
That was just wonderful. To my shame, I had never heard of Ola Gjeilo, but I certainly have now. Those young choristers were superb. Very, very well done.
@antoinettehalberstadt7530
"Pulchra est" = It is beautiful. And isn't it just!
As a Canadian who is occasionally treated to experiencing the Northern Lights, I tell you this sounds just like how the Northern Lights feel and look.
@naramadom
Dear, it isn't really about nothern lights.. But probably you must know by now. 😏
@juliakwiatkowski647
When I first heard the song and new nothing about it, I assumed from the title it must have been a new song about the northern lights. However, it is actually a passage from Song of Songs and the first line translated is: "Thou art beautiful, O my love,
sweet and beautiful daughter of Jerusalem."