Libera - "O Sanctissima"

Libera - Onward Christian Soldiers

Libera in America: Ave Maria

From a live concert recording made at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Libera - "How Great Thou Art"

From a live concert recording made in 2014 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.

 

 

Libera - Onward Christian Soldiers

From Challies.com

Onward, Christian Soldiers” was written in 1865 with no intention of ever being published, especially in adult hymn books. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould, its author, was at that time the curate of a parish in Yorkshire county in the north of England, and he recounts how and why he wrote it:

It was written in a very simple fashion … Whitmonday is a great day for school festivals in Yorkshire, and one Whitmonday it was arranged that our school should join its forces with that of a neighboring village. I wanted the children to sing when marching from one village to the other, but couldn’t think of anything quite suitable, so I sat up at night resolved to write something myself. “Onward, Christian Soldiers” was the result. It was written in great haste, and I am afraid some of the rhymes are faulty. Certainly nothing has surprised me more than its great popularity.

Though it was never meant for publication, it was nevertheless found its way into a periodical later that year, and soon it became included in English hymnals around the world. Louis Benson suspects that it caught on in the United States, at least in part, because it tapped into the “soldier-spirit left in the hearts of young and old Americans by the four years of the Civil War” which had just ended.

In 1871 Arthur Sullivan wrote the tune “St. Gertrude” for the hymn, which further popularized the hymn and has ever since been its standard melody.

Due to its militaristic theme and martial melody, the hymn has encountered some resistance in recent years, and some church denominations have removed it from their hymn books entirely. However, it is appropriate to remember that Paul commands Timothy to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3), and that he instructs the church to “put on the whole armor of God” because we wrestle against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6).

The words of the hymn make it clear that the focus is on this spiritual battle—that our foe is Satan, not men, and that our King and Commander in Chief is the eternal, omnipotent Christ whose kingdom cannot fail.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Libera - "Be Still My Soul"

This beautiful, poignant video was made by our good friend at Piddingworth.  For some reason, so many of those we have loved and lost have departed this life in the month of March.  This video is a reminder that each loss was an experience of God's grace, a deeper appreciation of the communion of saints and recognition of how those around us have been reflections of His love.  Where the cross is, there also is the resurrection, and with God's grace, even painful loss brings hope of that meeting yet to come when "love's purest joys" will all be restored.

Libera (Ben Philipp) - 'Lacrymosa'

Libera - "Adoro Te Devote"

From Thomas Aquinas' hymn 'Adoro Te Devote', arranged by Robert Prizeman.

Prostrate I adore Thee, Deity unseen,

Who Thy glory hidest 'neath these shadows mean;

Lo, to Thee surrendered, my whole heart is bowed,

Tranced as it beholds Thee, shrined within the cloud.

Taste, and touch, and vision, to discern Thee fail;

Faith, that comes by hearing, pierces through the veil.

I believe whate'er the Son of God hath told;

What the Truth hath spoken, that for truth I hold.

On the Cross lay hidden but thy Deity,

Here is hidden also Thy Humanity:

But in both believing and confessing, Lord,

Ask I what the dying thief of Thee implored.

Thy dread wounds, like Thomas, though I cannot see,

His be my confession, Lord and God, of Thee,

Make my faith unfeigned ever-more increase,

Give me hope unfading, love that cannot cease.

O memorial wondrous of the Lord's own death;

Living Bread, that giveth all Thy creatures breath,

Grant my spirit ever by Thy life may live,

To my taste Thy sweetness never-failing give.

Pelican of mercy, Jesu, Lord and God,

Cleanse me, wretched sinner, in Thy Precious Blood:

Blood where one drop for human-kind outpoured

Might from all transgression have the world restored.

Jesu, whom now veiled, I by faith descry,

What my soul doth thirst for, do not, Lord, deny,

That thy face unveiled, I at last may see,

With the blissful vision blest, my God, of Thee. Amen

Libera Returns to the US This Summer!

 Performances in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Chicago, St. Louis, 

Frisco/Dallas and Houston

July 24 - August 9, 2011

 

The boys who make up the South London based vocal band Libera have been described as “normal” and “ordinary”; however, as their recordings and performances demonstrate, the music they produce is anything but. With shimmering, mystical chords and ecstatic harmonies, they are unlike any other group you have ever heard. These are truly sounds to lift the soul. Celestial sounds for a new time.

Familiar to audiences across the world, the boys have a stunningly original sound, which is at once both ancient and modern. Their distinctive flowing white robes symbolise the traditional origins of their style - yet their music reaches across the generations to a new mainstream audience. Libera’s success in album charts around the world bears witness to the extraordinary appeal of this unique ‘boy band’. Enchanting audiences wherever they go, they have attracted an enthusiastic fan base in many countries, particularly the US, UK, Japan, the Philippines and Korea.

They've sung for President Bush, have been featured at the Kennedy Center Honors, on Hour of Power and PBS. You may have heard them on the radio or in film soundtracks. Don't miss the chance to experience them - sight and sound - LIVE this summer! 

 

 

Libera Announces USA Summer Tour

A Sunlit Uplands favorite, the London-based choral group Libera has announced a summer tour of five American cities.   Those who are able to attend will not be disappointed.

The group will appear as follows:

Minneapolis - July 27th

Basilica of St. Mary.  Concert at 7.30 pm

Tickets: $40,25,15,10 (Premium, General, Student with ID, Children 16 and under)

St Paul - July 29th

Cathedral of Saint Paul | National Shrine of the Apostle Paul.  Concert at 7.30 pm

Tickets: $40,25,15,10 (Premium, General, Student with ID, Children 16 and under)

Chicago - July 31st

Rockefeller Chapel, University of Chicago.  Concert at 7.30 pm

Tickets: $40,25,15,10 (Premium, General, Student with ID, Children 16 and under)

Frisco - August 7th

Stonebriar Community Church  Concert at 7.00 pm

Tickets: $25,15,10 (Premium, General, Children 16 and under)

Houston - August 9th

Tallowood Baptist Church  Concert at 7.30 pm

Tickets: $25,15,10 (Premium, General, Children 16 and under)

  

Libera - 'When a Knight Won His Spurs'

When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old,
He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold;
With a shield on his arm and a lance in his hand,
For God and for valour he rode through the land.

No charger have I, and no sword by my side,
Yet still to adventure and battle I ride,
Though back into storyland giants have fled,
And the knights are no more and the dragons are dead.

Let faith be my shield and let joy be my steed
'Gainst the dragons of anger, the ogres of greed;
And let me set free with the sword of my youth,
From the castle of darkness, the power of the truth.

Libera - "All Things Bright and Beautiful"

Libera - "Sanctus"

Libera - "Onward Christian Soldiers"

Libera - "Onward Christian Soldiers"

Libera -- "Gloria"

Libera - "How Can I Keep From Singing?"

Libera - "Onward Christian Soldiers"

Libera - "Sanctus"

Libera - "Be Still for the Presence of the Lord"

Be still for the presence of the Lord

The Holy One is here

Come bow before Him now

With reverence and fear

In Him no sin is found

We stand on holy ground

Be still for the presence of the Lord

The Holy One is here

Be still for the glory of the Lord

Is shining all around

He burns with holy fire

With splendor He is crowned

How awesome is the sight

Our radiant King of Light

Be still for the glory of the Lord

Is shining all around

Be still for the power of the Lord

Is moving in this place

He comes to cleanse and heal

To minister His grace

No work too hard for Him

In faith receive from Him

Be still for the power of the Lord

Is moving in this place

Be still

Be still