+Cole Barton We're doing this at my winter concert next week. We had a rehearsal tonight, and like half of my choir including my director broke down. I love the bridge so much, it reminds me of Safe and Sound from Hunger Games.
My daughter was in honors choir and they sang this song so beautifully. It brought tears to my eyes then and still does now especially when I learned the story behind it. I just don't understand why some in this world find it so easy to hate. Hate is evil and wrong. No place for it in this world. None at all.
At my school we were singing this song when the shooting was going on at the sandy hook school...... We all broke into tears when we heard the news and we sang it again for the loss of all the children that were killed ..... This always gives me chills for remembering that ....
Our choir had in our folder as we were learning it for an upcoming concert… then Columbine happens down the road from us. We took it to sing at the makeshift memorial in the following days. 25 years later it is still a very prominent memory
I think this beautiful and powerful song about the suffering of children is at its best when it is performed by "children." You did it beautifully. Thank you.
My choir is currently going to sing this song for festival and it is the perfect time because it can relate to all of the children in Ukraine.. it's so sad we all burst into tears just thinking of how they must feel..
Not only Ukraine but many nations in the Middle East. Afghanistan since the U.S. left, the Taliban have over run many parts of that country. Let's make this song for all of the children that God sees suffering!🕊
We sang this song in 8th grade concert choir, and all I can think of when I listen to the words is that line from Les Mis on how, "They sang about tomorrow, and tomorrow never came."
I'm 34 now, but when I was 14 I entered my high school varsity/Acapella choir and this was one of the first songs we rehearsed for the fall concert. I remember being blown away by the expansive sound of the largest and most advanced choir I had been a part of up to that date. It was really a beautiful experience.
My choir just did this for our fall concert last week. It's so touching and the most beautiful piece I've ever done for choir (this is my 4th year in choir). I also recommend the choral song Suliko. It has the same vibe as this song and is so pretty.
This is the best SATB version of Payer of the Children that I have ever heard. Their vocals are amazing for their age. If you would watch this vocal performance, they sound like they could be in college. I do agree that the end could have been softer, but overall, it was a job well done
That song is amazing when I hear it with my eyes closed... I see the children of all different nations praying at same time asking to heal our planet in this right moment. So pure so true .. amazing choir !
I sang this in my middle school choir (8th grade) and it was the most challenging, complex and beautiful arrangement I've ever been apart of. We definitely weren't perfect despite working on it for nearly 5 months, but it will always be my favorite piece I've ever been a part of 🖤
I received a "Word Perfect" word processing installation CD back in 1997, and on that CD was an entire album entitled "Innovators". Many (if not all) of the songs were Kurt Bestor's arrangements. This was the final track on that CD, and I still remember being floored when I heard it for the first time. It stirred emotions so strong that I will never forget it. It brought me to tears almost instantly.
It makes me so sad to think that this has happened so much in so many different parts of the world... It breaks my heart to think that those children didn't get to live longer than elementary school... This song has been a way for everyone to be able to see what God must have been thinking... "Can you hear the voice of the children..." I know all those children are happier now... Amazing performance... Thank anyone who was involved in supporting these families and those who will help others in the future...
Ever since first learning of this song by performing it 12 years ago in a youth outreach choir, the message always comes back to me, each time feeling more relevant than the last, and today its message cries loud and clear. May all children be safe in their parents’ arms. ❤️
Remembering the families from Sandy Hook today with a song I performed with my choirs many times. We all need to pray for the children of this world, they are the future, and I hope it is a brighter and safer one.
my choir has a beautiful tradition: every time they sing this song, they sing it with their eyes closed. It never fails to make an astounding performance. I remember going to ACDA Nationals and crying with my eyes closed while singing this song.
We sang this song at my High School all 4yrs I was in choir at our Spring Concerts to raise awareness of child abuse, poverty. This is a powerful song.
LETS GO AUSTRALIAN KIDS!! yeahh man you guys slayed this, great energy and emotion! damnnnn 3:10 is Craaazzzyyyy! dropping the beat?! brooooo killer job guys
Can you hear the prayer of the children On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room? Empty eyes, with no more tears to cry, Turning heavenward, toward the light. Crying, "Jesus, help me To see the morning light of one more day; But if I should die before I wake, I pray my soul to take." Can you feel the heart of the children Aching for home, for something of their very own? Reaching hands, with nothing to hold on to But hope for a better day, a better day. Crying, "Jesus, help me To feel the love again in my own land; But if unknown roads lead away from home, Give me loving arms, away from harm." Can you hear the voice of the children Softly pleading for silence in a shattered world? Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate, Blood of the innocent on their hands. Crying, "Jesus, help me To feel the sun again upon my face; For when darkness clears I know you're near, Bringing peace again." Dali cujete sve djecje molitive? Can you hear the prayer of the children?
As a 19 year old young man Kurt Bestor served an LDS Mission to the Balkans prior to the civil war there. This was written later during the Balkan war due to Kurt's great love and familiarity to the people and especially the children who were suffering so much due to the war. Unfortunately it can be used in way too many settings these days.
My brother was part of the honor's choir at our school, since we have a very small school the choir had about 20 people. I'm not sure if it was this arrangement they sang, but they had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic. There, they found a small square room, made completely out of concrete. The acoustics were *incredible!!* I wasn't there, but I saw the video, and it was like magic. Such a beautiful song.
So beautiful & it is a sad song too. It's for not only Unkrainian children but children everywhere suffering because of war, poverty & hunger! God help them through other people & bring peace to Ukrain & help those who are bringing aggression against them. 🕊
Feels really really rushed compared to how we performed it. I put it at .75 playback speed and it just feels right now. That really takes me back. This was our favorite song back in highschool decades ago.
My high school choir sang this song for our first concert of second semester in March and it got me because it was about the Sandy Hook Shooting and now hearing about the Robb School Shooting… it’s healing but very sad. Wow..
ouow, what a quality for that difficult age. It really speacks to the heart, and the look very passionnated. And excellent arrangment! On the was, whould this arrangment be available? That mix version could fit for my mixed choir
Their blend is pretty awesome; the only thing that really puts me off is they seem to stay at the same volume the entire time and their vowels are not all the same shape. It was a little too fast for me... It kind of took away from the beautiful harmonies in this arrangement.
+Roman Blados They're around the age of my high school choir, they're not that young. There are plenty of choirs who can unify the shape of their vowels and focus on their dynamics at this age.
This is beautiful, it is a tad bit too fast than what is written at quarter = ca 52. I don't know this tempo is kinda growing on me. I know why they did it faster. Breathing.
It is heartbreaking to me how relevant this song has become again, and how really, it never lost its relevance.
wow.
I am lucky enough to be able to perform this beautiful piece with my choir. My only problem is the high chance of me crying while singing it.
+Cole Barton We're doing this at my winter concert next week. We had a rehearsal tonight, and like half of my choir including my director broke down. I love the bridge so much, it reminds me of Safe and Sound from Hunger Games.
Cole Barton I don’t blame you.
MEEE SJSJSKKSLA
I still can't sing Billy Joel's song Lullabye. Its about him saying goodbye to his daughter after he and his wife broke up.
I am so excited that my choir is learning this song.
My daughter was in honors choir and they sang this song so beautifully. It brought tears to my eyes then and still does now especially when I learned the story behind it. I just don't understand why some in this world find it so easy to hate. Hate is evil and wrong. No place for it in this world. None at all.
At my school we were singing this song when the shooting was going on at the sandy hook school...... We all broke into tears when we heard the news and we sang it again for the loss of all the children that were killed ..... This always gives me chills for remembering that ....
And here we are again
here we are again. I have to sing this for my chorus concert in a few days
We sang this way back in Spring 2012
Our choir had in our folder as we were learning it for an upcoming concert… then Columbine happens down the road from us. We took it to sing at the makeshift memorial in the following days. 25 years later it is still a very prominent memory
Their t shirts look like "loading..."
Garnett Ali lol righhht
Wtf no whatever
Wat😐
Garnett Ali 😂😂😂
I thought they looked like the Walmart logo
I think this beautiful and powerful song about the suffering of children is at its best when it is performed by "children." You did it beautifully. Thank you.
My choir is currently going to sing this song for festival and it is the perfect time because it can relate to all of the children in Ukraine.. it's so sad we all burst into tears just thinking of how they must feel..
Same, my school choir will be singing this at our spring concert to shed light on the Ukraine situation, it is a beautiful song of hope
Not only Ukraine but many nations in the Middle East. Afghanistan since the U.S. left, the Taliban have over run many parts of that country. Let's make this song for all of the children that God sees suffering!🕊
We sang this song in 8th grade concert choir, and all I can think of when I listen to the words is that line from Les Mis on how, "They sang about tomorrow, and tomorrow never came."
I'm 34 now, but when I was 14 I entered my high school varsity/Acapella choir and this was one of the first songs we rehearsed for the fall concert. I remember being blown away by the expansive sound of the largest and most advanced choir I had been a part of up to that date. It was really a beautiful experience.
My choir just did this for our fall concert last week. It's so touching and the most beautiful piece I've ever done for choir (this is my 4th year in choir). I also recommend the choral song Suliko. It has the same vibe as this song and is so pretty.
This is the best SATB version of Payer of the Children that I have ever heard. Their vocals are amazing for their age. If you would watch this vocal performance, they sound like they could be in college. I do agree that the end could have been softer, but overall, it was a job well done
That song is amazing when I hear it with my eyes closed... I see the children of all different nations praying at same time asking to heal our planet in this right moment. So pure so true .. amazing choir !
This is definitely a poignant song right now. We're in a shattered world for sure.
just as spot on today!long live freedom! remember.... t....Them!
I sang this in my middle school choir (8th grade) and it was the most challenging, complex and beautiful arrangement I've ever been apart of. We definitely weren't perfect despite working on it for nearly 5 months, but it will always be my favorite piece I've ever been a part of 🖤
The amount of chills that go down my spine while listening to this piece is crazy. I tear up every time
I received a "Word Perfect" word processing installation CD back in 1997, and on that CD was an entire album entitled "Innovators". Many (if not all) of the songs were Kurt Bestor's arrangements. This was the final track on that CD, and I still remember being floored when I heard it for the first time. It stirred emotions so strong that I will never forget it. It brought me to tears almost instantly.
I know you commented years ago, but I have been looking for his album everywhere and I can't find it!
It makes me so sad to think that this has happened so much in so many different parts of the world... It breaks my heart to think that those children didn't get to live longer than elementary school... This song has been a way for everyone to be able to see what God must have been thinking... "Can you hear the voice of the children..." I know all those children are happier now... Amazing performance... Thank anyone who was involved in supporting these families and those who will help others in the future...
Wow - this is a wonderful version of this piece - well done!
My choir is singing this, and it has so much more meaning to us now, because we just had a shooting in our town not too long ago.
Lily Bee oh no. I am so sorry to hear that.
Ever since first learning of this song by performing it 12 years ago in a youth outreach choir, the message always comes back to me, each time feeling more relevant than the last, and today its message cries loud and clear. May all children be safe in their parents’ arms. ❤️
Our choir performed this 12 years ago too
Remembering the families from Sandy Hook today with a song I performed with my choirs many times. We all need to pray for the children of this world, they are the future, and I hope it is a brighter and safer one.
my choir has a beautiful tradition: every time they sing this song, they sing it with their eyes closed. It never fails to make an astounding performance. I remember going to ACDA Nationals and crying with my eyes closed while singing this song.
We sang this song at my High School all 4yrs I was in choir at our Spring Concerts to raise awareness of child abuse, poverty. This is a powerful song.
I’m about to sing this for concert choir on Tuesday, wish me luck and hope I don’t mess up lol
Just beautiful. May all individuals turn our heart to the Lord and hear the cries and prayers of the children.
My schools top choirs sing this song at our final concert every year with asl interpreters
LETS GO AUSTRALIAN KIDS!! yeahh man you guys slayed this, great energy and emotion!
damnnnn 3:10 is Craaazzzyyyy! dropping the beat?! brooooo killer job guys
The composer, Kurt Bestor, was a student in music theory when I was the class TA. He wrote it for the child victims during the war in Kosovo.
there are no words for how beautiful this is
You should look up the song “we are the voices” then, it’s really pretty too
The prayer of the children
Can you hear the prayer of the children
On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room?
Empty eyes, with no more tears to cry,
Turning heavenward, toward the light.
Crying, "Jesus, help me
To see the morning light of one more day;
But if I should die before I wake,
I pray my soul to take."
Can you feel the heart of the children
Aching for home, for something of their very own?
Reaching hands, with nothing to hold on to
But hope for a better day, a better day.
Crying, "Jesus, help me
To feel the love again in my own land;
But if unknown roads lead away from home,
Give me loving arms, away from harm."
Can you hear the voice of the children
Softly pleading for silence in a shattered world?
Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate,
Blood of the innocent on their hands.
Crying, "Jesus, help me
To feel the sun again upon my face;
For when darkness clears I know you're near,
Bringing peace again."
Dali cujete sve djecje molitive?
Can you hear the prayer of the children?
Best teen choir I've heard!
As a 19 year old young man Kurt Bestor served an LDS Mission to the Balkans prior to the civil war there. This was written later during the Balkan war due to Kurt's great love and familiarity to the people and especially the children who were suffering so much due to the war. Unfortunately it can be used in way too many settings these days.
My brother was part of the honor's choir at our school, since we have a very small school the choir had about 20 people. I'm not sure if it was this arrangement they sang, but they had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic. There, they found a small square room, made completely out of concrete. The acoustics were *incredible!!* I wasn't there, but I saw the video, and it was like magic. Such a beautiful song.
sang this in high school. listening to it now after uvalde and crying.
My choir is singing this next month! Can't wait to preform this beautiful song
Definitely the best version I've heard of this song!
This is the best rendition of one of my favorite choral pieces. Thank you very much!
I see a lot of really excellent vowels. Good work.
My choir sang this in a WA state competition in 2008, and Andrea Klouse happened to be one of the judges. It was such a moving experience.
Really great performance. Confidence oozing from these singers. Thank you!
Stunning!!! Truly a beautiful recording of one of my favorite songs.
So very beautiful.
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!! It's one of my favorite's!!! Very Expressive! Thank you for singing it....
Having performed this song with an internationally ranked choir, I am impressed. Very well done with singers of such a young age. Awesome. Really.
BRILLIANT HARMONY!
I feel super grateful that I was able to sing this with my choir representing our school !
Brings tears to mine eyes...when will the killing stop..
Wonderful performance!
Absolutely beautiful!
My children's choir sang this, and it's still my favourite song ever
Just preformed this tonight. It was just beautiful, and an amazing honor to sing.
So beautiful & it is a sad song too. It's for not only Unkrainian children but children everywhere suffering because of war, poverty & hunger! God help them through other people & bring peace to Ukrain & help those who are bringing aggression against them. 🕊
My 7th grade choir teacher ARRANGED THIS PIECE. 0-0
I love this
I was in Vivace choir when she taught us to sing this.
So moving in today’s world of sadness..
I remember singing this- particularly hard for lyrics due to heaps of subtle variations. Was always happy when we got to the end...
We sang this in 2006 in my hs choir. I miss this so much. Makes me want to get maui going on this song
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!!! I already loved this song. Now I like it even more.
Tears ... so beautiful !!!
Just Beautiful....
Exquisite! So well done!
Where singing this this year at my school
Doctor Comedy t
My school too
Wow! I did this in a small men’s group in high school. Sounds much better with all of the parts. Well done! Tear jerker!
Beautiful singing
I honestly don’t know if I could do it. Sing it, be in the audience… my sobs would resonate throughout the performance space.
simply stunning and beautiful...
wow simply amazing beautiful indeed nice job
Absolutely beautiful 😍
May💙 God 💛Be 💚With💜 Everyone ❤️Always💛 Much 💜Love💙 Blessings 💛Always ☺️ 🎇 🌈 🌐 ✌️✌️💯💯✌️💜💚💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
Wow! This is so well done. 🙌
when my choir at my school sung this people actually were crying.
Literally gave me goosebumps
Feels really really rushed compared to how we performed it. I put it at .75 playback speed and it just feels right now. That really takes me back. This was our favorite song back in highschool decades ago.
my choir performed this last night at our school boards showcase. a lot of them are graduating next year, I'll miss them :(
Kristina Palattao bt
Kristina Palattao d
This gives me chills
My high school choir sang this song for our first concert of second semester in March and it got me because it was about the Sandy Hook Shooting and now hearing about the Robb School Shooting… it’s healing but very sad. Wow..
hits differently in 2020.
Well I enjoyed that
ouow, what a quality for that difficult age. It really speacks to the heart, and the look very passionnated. And excellent arrangment!
On the was, whould this arrangment be available? That mix version could fit for my mixed choir
Peace💚 and ❤️Blessings 💛Too💛 My 💜Brothers❤️ May 💛God💛 Bless 💚Everyone ❤️Always 💛May💛 God 💜Bless ❤️Everyone 💛Richly 💚with❤️ everything💛 they💛 need❤️ Always 💛Much 💙Love💙 Blessings ❤️Always ☺️ 🎇 🌈 🌐 💯💯✌️💙💛💛❤️❤️💚❤️❤️❤️💛💛
Amazing !!!! 😍😍😍
Looking at their shirts, I'm surprised they didn't sing this in Walmart
Brian Backup hahahahahaha
Dumb
Fantastic
Listen at 0.75x. Amazing.
I sung a solo of this song at school when I was young
perfectly performed
This song makes me want to cry
Their blend is pretty awesome; the only thing that really puts me off is they seem to stay at the same volume the entire time and their vowels are not all the same shape. It was a little too fast for me... It kind of took away from the beautiful harmonies in this arrangement.
Rebecca Eve they are also children.
That has absolutely nothing to do with the problems I just listed.
+Roman Blados They're around the age of my high school choir, they're not that young. There are plenty of choirs who can unify the shape of their vowels and focus on their dynamics at this age.
They're also Australian. The vowels are fine.
Same volume? I would put the blame on the recording. They clearly have dynamic contrast.
Pretty sure the ending is pianissimo, but overall very well sung
so who disliked? i just wanna talk
God will hold accountable, in this life and in the next, all of those who purposely took the peace of the children - to this there is no forgiveness.
Our chancel choir performed this song, so sad!
SYMBIOSE!
This is beautiful, it is a tad bit too fast than what is written at quarter = ca 52. I don't know this tempo is kinda growing on me. I know why they did it faster. Breathing.
Too fast
Yep
listening to this wishing i wasn't afraid for my nieces' and cousins' lives
As great as this was, there needed to be more projection from the baritones. The main sound is the baritones, and the rest is mostly backup.
Tear jerker...
just a tip, tell them to work on their vowel pronunciations. for example : pronounce hear hea instead of heer
Dona nobis pacem 🕊🤍
Have your handkerchief handy!