1) Three Roma… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands/artists with this name:
1) Three Roman Catholic priests from Ireland.
2) A rock band from New York
3) For the Gothic Metal Washington DC. band, see Priests
1) The Priests are three Roman Catholic priests from Ballyclare and Ballygowan in Northern Ireland who have been singing together since they were children. After signing a $2million record deal with SonyBMG in 2008 they have been recording an album in Ireland, London and have been allowed to record in St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican.
Their debut album was produced by Mike Hedges who has worked with, amongst others, U2, Dido and Manic Street Preachers, and is released on 24th November by Epic Records. It will be launched simultaneously in 33 countries and precedes an ITV documentary and PBS special in America.
Who they are:
* Father Eugene O’Hagan is of the Parish of Ballyclare and Ballygowan: Church of The Sacred Heart and Church of The Holy Family. Diocese of Down and Connor.
* Father Martin O’Hagan is of the Parish of Cushendun: Church of St. Patrick (Craigagh), Church of St. Mary, The Star of the Sea (Culraney). Diocese of Down and Connor.
* Father David Delargy is of the Parish of Hannahstown: Church of St. Joseph and Church of St. Peter, the Rock , Diocese of Down and Connor.
Record sales of debut album:
The Priests’ eponymous debut album recorded the biggest opening week of sales ever for a classical album.
The Priests, the album, shot into the UK album chart at number five in its first week and also topped the classical chart in its first week of release.
When the album was released in the UK, it was released in 33 countries at the same time and has already topped the charts in Ireland as well as making the top tens in album charts in countries as diverse as Spain, Norway and Sweden.
Around the world, sales of the album – which comprises spiritually inspired tracks such as Pie Jesu, Ave aria as well as great classical arias and traditional Irish - are soaring in the run-up to Christmas.
In the United States, sales are growing fast in anticipation of a coast-to-coast broadcast of a special two hour PBS TV programme about the group.
The trio are also the subject of an ITV documentary to be aired in the UK on December 14 telling the story of their incredible journey over the past 12 months.
The Priests, Fathers Eugene and Martin O Hagan, who are brothers and their schoolfriend of 30 years ago, Father David Delargy, are signed up to Sony BMG's Epic label under a unique deal which stipulates that none of their recording commitments will ever be allowed to stand in the way of their day jobs of parish priests in their neighbouring parishes.
The group is currently performing on tour in Canada and the USA and will be playing to massive audiences on a world arena tour next year. However, they will shortly be stopping all promotional work and other aspects of their recoding career in order to concentrate on the celebration in their parishes of the Christmas season.
They have promised that a substantial proportion of the money made from the sale of The Priests will go to various religious based charities.
Nick Raphael, managing director of the Epic label and the man who spotted The Priests, said: "It is incredible that, in the UK alone, their debut album has taken by storm an album chart in which it is competing with massive acts like The Killers, Guns N Roses, Leona Lewis and Dido.
"It is also an incredible achievement that, in terms of the classical chart, sales of The Priests have outstripped anything that Luciano Pavarotti or more recently Katherine Jenkins shifted in the first week of sales for any of their albums."
2) This State-of-New-York foursome embraces the mythic garage-rock-psych sounds of yesterday while creating the music of tomorrow in their own image. Hypnotic guitar lines, fuzzed-out organ and tribalistic back beats build the foundations of their unusual and original sound.
TALL TALES, the PRIESTS latest release and first for GET HIP was produced by the great TIM KERR in a whirlwind 4 day session at Saxon Studios in Rochester, NY. While maintaining their signature sound, the band has pushed their own boundaries, experimenting with guitar layers, feedback, vocal techniques and time lengths, creating an album destined for greatness. Spread the word.
"The PRIESTS have a sound that positively oozes with snarling, back street toughness driven forward with an infectious, primitive beat. Some garage bands come up with one good song and repeat it over and over again. The PRIESTS avoid this trap by coming up with one great song after another." -Sean Barry/COOL AND STRANGE MUSIC
"This is what rock'n'roll is all about - noisy, angry guitars and a real classic rock and roll look. Can't wait for their next release." -John Holmstrom/PUNK MAGAZINE
Abide With Me
The Priests Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh abide with me
I need Thy presence every passing hour
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Hold thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death oh Lord abide with me
The Priests’ song “Abide With Me” is a hymn that speaks to the importance of finding comfort and strength in the presence of the Lord during times of darkness and despair. The opening lines of “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide” establish a sense of urgency, inviting the Lord to remain close in the midst of darkness and uncertainty. As the song progresses, the language shifts to a more personal request for assistance, acknowledging that even the best human helpers and comforts can fail. This call for divine intervention is underscored with the repetition of the refrain “Help of the helpless, oh abide with me.”
The song continues, shifting from a plea for immediate assistance to a broader request for ongoing presence and guidance: “I need Thy presence every passing hour / What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power? / Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? / Through cloud and sunshine Lord abide with me.” The metaphor of cloud and sunshine reinforces the idea that darkness and hardship are inevitable parts of life, but that the Lord’s presence can remain constant through these difficulties. The song builds to a final request, asking the Lord to accompany the singer through to the end of their life, and into eternal life: “Hold thou Thy cross before my closing eyes / Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies / Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee / In life, in death oh Lord abide with me.”
Overall, “Abide With Me” offers a message of hope and reassurance to listeners, reminding them that even in the darkest moments, the Lord is present and available to provide strength and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
Stay with me, as the evening comes quickly
The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide
As it gets darker, please stay with me, Lord
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
When others cannot help me and comfort is gone
Help of the helpless, oh abide with me
You are the only one who can help me, please stay with me
I need Thy presence every passing hour
I need you with me all the time
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Your grace is the only thing that can overcome the power of temptation
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
There is no one else who can guide and support me like You can
Through cloud and sunshine Lord abide with me
Whether it is cloudy or sunny, stay with me, Lord
Hold thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Let me see Your cross before I close my eyes for the final time
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
In the darkness, show me the way to heaven
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee
When morning comes in heaven, everything on earth becomes insignificant
In life, in death oh Lord abide with me
No matter what happens, stay with me, Lord
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Henry Francis Lyte, Will Henry Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hpa2005
About this hymn: in 1847, the Scottish Anglican clergyman (divine) Henry Francis Lyte was dying from Tuberculosis. He wrote this hymn three weeks before he succumbed to the disease, which was first sung at his funeral. In later years it would be reported that this hymn was a favorite of England's King George V and India's Mahatma Gandhi.
@christyjohnson9181
Thank you for sharing the details. God bless you
@ronwelker3804
Praise God. He praised god right. To the End. One of my top fav 100 hymns
@MaggieClarkSLC
Heavenly! Thank you, Priests, from Henderson, Nevada, USA.
@dhrvb
This Priests prove their is never “The Best EVER” They are outstanding. There will be always someone who will surprise us as this Priests did in my case.
@SteveRawcliffe
A shout out to the lighting designer. The lighting reinforces the performance beautifully.
@onika6559
A beautiful rendition of this song. In life, in death oh lord, abide with me🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@cherylshaimas8238
Such beautiful songs these priest sing,bless them Dear Lord, guide them andpotect them .
@mariabrett6712
BEAUTIFUL this was my mum's favourite hymn
@ronwelker3804
The lyrics are magnificent and inspiring......I need your presence every passing hour ....praise God