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.
O Come O Come Emmanuel
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord.
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord
Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
O sing all ye citizens of heaven above
Glory to God, Glory in the highest
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him
Christ the Lord.
Yes, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to thee be the glory given
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him
Christ the Lord.
The lyrics of this song, O Come O Come Emmanuel, call upon listeners to come and adore Jesus Christ, the Lord. The repetition of "O come let us adore him" throughout the song emphasizes the importance and urgency of recognizing the birth of Jesus as an occasion for worship and adoration. The second line, "Born the King of angels", reinforces Jesus' divine nature and positions him as the central figure of Christian worship.
The third and fourth stanzas evoke images of angels and citizens of heaven singing and rejoicing in honor of Jesus Christ, while the fifth stanza directly addresses Jesus himself, praising him and offering him glory "this happy morning". The final repetition of "O come let us adore him" serves as a reminder to all of the importance of worshiping Christ.
Overall, the lyrics of this song celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as a significant and holy event worthy of intense reverence and admiration.
Line by Line Meaning
O come let us adore him
Let's all come together and worship Christ the Lord
Come and behold him
Come and witness the birth of the King of angels
Born the King of angels
Jesus is the King of angels and has come to earth
Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Angels in heaven should rejoice and sing in celebration
O sing all ye citizens of heaven above
All citizens of heaven should join in singing about the glory of God
Glory to God, Glory in the highest
Let's give all our glory to God, He deserves it the most
Yes, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning
We welcome you Lord, on this blessed day of your birth
Jesus, to thee be the glory given
We give all the glory to Jesus for coming into the world
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing
Jesus has been made flesh, born from the Father
O come, let us adore him
Once again, let's all come together and worship Christ the Lord
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FRANCIS WADE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aiden McLean
I'm Catholic as well and I can appreciate this song too. God be with you.
spoonman73
Truly the most amazing and powerful song ever. You absolutely MUST hear the version off of the Joy To The World album!
J.R.L.
I’m looking for the recording of the version by Robert Cundick. Can anyone provide a link to that one?
N D
Certainly this is the quintessential version of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." While I mostly listen to it around the holidays, I've been known to seek it out randomly throughout the year. Why? Because it makes me feel closer to God and sometimes I need that. The power of so many voices, raised to heavens in praise of Him, is a beautiful thing.
prism828
Absolutely, but also take a listen to Eugene Ormandy and Philadelphia Orchestra for instrument version. Mannheim Steamroller did it as a Gregorian Chant. All three are at the pinnacle.
almonjewel
Perfect and complete. This perfeormance brought tears to my eyes. Superb!
Super TAL
I love Craig Jessop, he was such a great and inspiring conductor for the Tabernacle Choir! I had the pleasure of meeting him with my mother and he was so kind and considerate. I will never forget it! I could tell she was so touched as was I.
Whyzzitsotough
Wow! This is awesome! Mormons rock!
Jared S
Amazing! Thank you Lord!
Danny H
This is so awesome to me. Enya does an awesome version too. I just wish it were fully ion English! :) The melody of this song is so "Holy" sounding. Can't you just imagine the Jewish people singing this song before the 1st coming of Christ? GOD had been silent for a long time and they really needed a "spiritual awakening." Yes, even back then. They knew the Messiah had been promised to come and they waited patiently, but longingly. Can't you hear them sing this very song? O Come Emmanuel...