2nd of December 1697 saw the opening of Wren's great cathedral following the Great Fire of 1666. John Blow, the Minister of the Choristers, wrote his anthem I was glad when they said unto me to be sung at this grand occasion. He was assisted by his pupil Jeremiah Clarke, who was to become the first official Organist of the new Cathedral. Purcell's Te Deum and Jubilate was also performed, accompanied by Father Smith's large new organ, esteemed the best in Europe according to the diarist John Evelyn.
In 1860 a significant change in the building took place when the screen on which the organ was housed was removed and in 1872 the Cathedral took two major steps – building a new organ and appointing John Stainer as Organist.
Stainer proposed a choir of 40 boys and 18 men (or Vicars Choral) to achieve the necessary vocal power to fill the cathedral following the removal of the choir-screen. He demanded more rehearsal time for the Vicars Choral and encouraged a more professional approach altogether. This meant that he was able to extend the musical repertoire enormously, and began to sow the seeds of the musical tradition we know today.
The present Cathedral Choir consists of 30 choristers (boy trebles), eight probationers (who will become choristers) and 12 professional adult singers (or Vicars Choral): four altos, four tenors and four basses.
Do You Hear What I Hear?
St. Paul's Cathedral Choir Lyrics
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I sit and wait in vain
I guess I'll rap on your door
Tap on your window pane
I want to tell you baby
The changes I've been going through
Missing you
Listen you
That's what I'm gonna do
Why did you have to decide
You had to set me free
I'm gonna swallow my pride
I'm gonna beg you to (please baby please) see me
I'm gonna walk by meself
Just to prove that my love is true
Oh, for you baby
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
Living for you my dear
Is like living in a world of constant fear
In my plea, I've got to make you see
That our love is dying
Although your phone you ignore
Somehow I must explain
I'm gonna rap on your door
Tap on your window pane
I'm gonna camp on your step
Until I get through to you
I've got to change your view baby
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
The St. Paul's Cathedral Choir's song, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" features the lyrics of the song "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" by Stevie Wonder. The lyrics revolve around a person who is trying to win back their lover who has decided to end their relationship. The person is waiting for the lover's return, but in the meantime, they are going through changes and missing them. The lyrics are filled with determination, hope, and perseverance as the person tries to prove their love and save their relationship by pleading with their lover.
The lyrics imply that the relationship has gone through some struggles, and the person is willing to do whatever it takes to save it. They have acknowledged that they made mistakes and are willing to swallow their pride to make amends. They are determined to change their lover's view and show their love is true. The song delivers a powerful message about the importance of love, understanding, and the dedication required to keep a relationship alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you don't call anymore
Even though you no longer call me, I am still waiting for you.
I sit and wait in vain
I am sitting and waiting for you, but it seems like a hopeless pursuit.
I guess I'll rap on your door
I suppose I will have to knock on your door to get your attention.
Tap on your window pane
If knocking on your door doesn't work, I will try tapping on your window.
I want to tell you baby
The changes I've been going through
I have been going through some changes, and I want to share them with you.
Missing you
Listen you
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
I miss you and want you to listen to me until you come back to me.
Why did you have to decide
You had to set me free
I don't understand why you had to break up with me and leave me behind.
I'm gonna swallow my pride
I'm gonna beg you to (please baby please) see me
Even if it means I have to humble myself, I am willing to beg you to take me back.
I'm gonna walk by meself
Just to prove that my love is true
Oh, for you baby
I will take a walk by myself just to show you how much I truly love you.
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
I will continue to do everything in my power to get you back until you return to me.
Living for you my dear
Is like living in a world of constant fear
Loving you is like living in a state of constant anxiety and worry.
In my plea, I've got to make you see
That our love is dying
I need to make you understand that our love is fading away.
Although your phone you ignore
Somehow I must explain
Even though you are ignoring my calls, I still need to find a way to talk to you.
I'm gonna camp on your step
Until I get through to you
If necessary, I will wait outside your house until I can talk to you in person.
I've got to change your view baby
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
I am determined to change your mind and get you back, that is all I am going to do.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VICTOR REDWOOD-SAWYERR, HILARY MWELWA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind