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
King Of Kings
The Priests Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I journey on my way.
What need I fear when thou art near,
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
Than if a host didst round me stand.
The child of God can fear no ill,
...'Tis not from chance our comfort springs.
Thou art our trust, O King of kings.
My destined time is known to thee,
And death doth know his hour;
Did warriors strong around me throng,
They could not stay his power:
No walls of stone can man defend
When thou thy messenger doth send.
The child of God can fear no ill,
His chosen dread no foe...
...'Tis not from chance our comfort springs.
Thou art our trust, O King of kings.
My life I yield to thy decree,
And bow to thy control
In peaceful calm, for from thine arm
No power can wrest my soul.
Could earthly omens e'er appall
A man that heeds the heavenly call?
The child of God can fear no ill,
His chosen dread no foe...
...'Tis not from chance our comfort springs.
Thou art our trust, O King of kings.
The lyrics of The Priests' song "King of Kings" express a deep sense of trust, faith and surrender towards God. The singer begins by acknowledging that they are alone on their journey, but they do not fear because God is with them. They feel safer in God's presence than they would if they had an army protecting them. The singer further affirms that the child of God, who trusts and believes in God, need fear nothing, even their enemies.
The singer also acknowledges that they are mortal and that their time on earth is predetermined by God. Even if they were surrounded by powerful warriors or fortified walls, they could not resist death when it comes for them. However, the singer is at peace with this, knowing that their life is in God's hands and that no one can take their soul away from Him. The last stanza of the song emphasizes that the child of God is not afraid of any earthly threat, as their trust and comfort come from God alone.
Overall, "King of Kings" is a song that encourages the listener to put their trust in God and not be afraid of any worldly danger. It emphasizes that God is in control of everything and that His children can rest in His loving presence without fear.
Line by Line Meaning
Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
I am on a journey with God, and I am not afraid because He is always with me.
What need I fear when thou art near,
O King of night and day?
I don't need to be afraid when God is with me because He rules over everything - even time.
More safe am I within thy hand
Than if a host didst round me stand.
Being in God's hands is the safest place I can be - even safer than having an army protect me.
The child of God can fear no ill,
His chosen dread no foe...
God's children have nothing to fear because they are chosen by Him and protected by His power.
...'Tis not from chance our comfort springs.
Thou art our trust, O King of kings.
Our comfort and protection do not come from luck, but from our trust in God - the ultimate ruler over all kings.
My destined time is known to thee,
And death doth know his hour;
God knows when I will die, and even death is under His control.
Did warriors strong around me throng,
They could not stay his power:
No walls of stone can man defend
When thou thy messenger dost send.
Even if strong warriors surrounded me, they would be no match for God's power. No walls or defenses can protect us when He decides to send His messengers, such as death.
My life I yield to thy decree,
And bow to thy control;
In peaceful calm, for from thine arm
No power can wrest my soul.
I surrender my life to God's plans and accept His control over everything. Even in the face of death, I can remain calm because nothing can take my soul away from His protection.
Could earthly omens e'er appall
A man that heeds the heavenly call?
As someone who follows God's call, earthly omens cannot frighten me because I know that my true protection and guidance come from Him.
Contributed by Bentley B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David DE
Spectacular! I share them with our Priest at my Catholic church to share.
An De
Thank You so much! Most beautiful and soothing with a great arrangement.
ebpism
Wonderful music. I just got warm filling inside. Got bless your and thank you
ebpism
Regarding from Denmark 🇩🇰 and tank you for the wonderful music
Sharon Whelan
Hello, Father David! With love from a Delargy family relative. God bless you from Dana Point, California and Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano Parish.
Margaret Clark
He's my favorite!