Called "America's Choir" by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, 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.
Joy To The World
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let earth receive her King,
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground,
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
The first verse of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song "Joy to the World" emphasizes the arrival of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The lyrics are a proclamation of his divine presence and a call to action to all who receive him as their king. The second line is a direct allusion to the biblical concept of the second coming of Christ, where Jesus will be crowned as the true king of the world. The wording "Let earth receive her King" is significant as it suggests that the earth is ready and waiting for the arrival of the king, who is Jesus Christ. The third line "Let every heart prepare him room" is a personal call to action for each individual to make space in their heart for the Lord, demonstrating that the coming of Jesus is not just a physical event but also a spiritual one. This spiritual aspect is emphasized by the following line "And heaven and nature sing", whereby heaven and nature acknowledge the arrival of the Lord, signaling the importance of the moment.
The second verse shifts the focus to the reign of the Savior, where men are urged to sing in celebration of his power and glory. The chorus "Repeat the sounding joy" is a jubilant display of the triumph of the Savior over Satan and his dominions, and its repetition emphasizes the magnitude of the event. The lyrics illustrate how the fields, floods, rocks, hills, and plains are personified to repeat the sound of joy, serving as an expression of the joyous occasion taking place. The third verse references the concept of redemption and salvation, where the Savior comes to remove the sin and curse from the earth. The lyrics reference the fall of man in the Garden of Eden where thorns infest the ground but with Christ's arrival, there is the promise of his blessings flowing far and wide, canceling out the curse of sin that has plagued the earth.
In the final verse, the song emphasizes the divine rule of Christ established after the redemption of the earth. He rules with righteousness and grace, serving as the ruler of all nations, and showcasing the wonders of his love. The conclusion expresses the wonders of his love, which are celebrated not only by the choir but also by the heavens and the earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let us all rejoice because the Lord has arrived!
Let earth receive her King,
May the earth welcome its King with open arms!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
May our hearts be ready to receive Him!
And heaven and nature sing,
Let the heavens and nature celebrate!
And heaven and nature sing,
Let the heavens and nature celebrate!
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Let the heavens and nature celebrate with endless joy!
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let us all be joyful because the Savior is now ruling!
Let men their songs employ,
May all people sing songs of praise!
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
May all of creation join in and celebrate!
Repeat the sounding joy,
May the joyful sounds be repeated!
Repeat the sounding joy,
May the joyful sounds be repeated!
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
May the joyful sounds be repeated endlessly!
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
May sins and sorrows no longer spread!
Nor thorns infest the ground,
May the ground no longer be plagued by thorns!
He comes to make His blessings flow
He has come to bless us all!
Far as the curse is found,
His blessings will reach as far as the curse has spread!
Far as the curse is found,
His blessings will reach as far as the curse has spread!
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
His blessings will reach to the ends of the earth where the curse has spread!
He rules the world with truth and grace,
He governs the world with both truth and grace!
And makes the nations prove
And causes the nations to experience and demonstrate
The glories of His righteousness,
The magnificent beauty of His righteousness!
And wonders of His love,
And the remarkable miracles of His love!
And wonders of His love,
And the remarkable miracles of His love!
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
And countless amazing wonders of His love!
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., O/B/O APRA AMCOS, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JENIFER KAREN WATTS, SIMON ELLIOTT VARGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@webwizah2199
I am a Muslim and this song always gives me goosebumps especially during this Christmas time
@bthbracco5472
you have beautiful music too...Merry Christmas
@arceevee89
God is love and joy. He loves you, brother!
@uuaae
Merry Christmas, Muslim friend! I am so happy you've found peace through your faith in God!
@OursChannel4875
As a muslim i also confirmed it, it's so good,God blessing everyone,may God always with US,one God ❤️
@gem874
Same here
@maciejmalas5604
I am also Roman Catholic from Poland and I am astonished with this heavenly music and perfect performance. Thank you Brothers on our Lord, God bless you and Your Country and Families.
@captainkielbasa5471
Stay strong over there
@OrganistaAndrzej
dokładnie. Ja jestem dodatkowo organistą.. Jestem zachwycony. To jest tak niewyobrażalnie potężne i piękne, że mózg wysiada.. u nas nie ma czegoś takiego..
@adolfomendizabal4009
ESPECTACULAR !!!!!!