ucmc "Prayer of the Children"

[spoonterrorist]

The Kelly gang can do better (the kelly gang are a group that sing with the Australian boys choir)

[zsellers1]

It is Jesus help me not who will help me it explains who will help by giving that specific name dont change stuff that is the point in the title Prayer of the Children it says prayer to Jesus for the children. When you say who will help me it sounds like there is no one to help and they are looking for someone but when you say Jesus help me it gives you someone to turn to thats the difference and why the composer wrote the words he did.

[jojojootlewootle]

@zsellers1 As the comments above indicate, the words "who will" are footnoted in the music as an optional change. It was probably added so that those who were more secular would be able to sing the song without apprehension. I'd suggest actually looking at the music before typing out needless comments on Youtube.

[zsellers1]

it is Jesus help me not who will help me it explains who will help by giving that specific name dont change stuff that is the point in the title Prayer of the Children it says prayer to Jesus for the children.

[zsellers1]

it is jesus help me not who will help me

[falconpunch90077]

its way to fast

[terrorfan24]

I do agree with the conductor moving the tempo. It is because of his rubato has caused fundamental mistakes in phrasing and breaking of the text. When you study a score you need to take into account where the natural breathes occur. If anyone would like my help with this song let me know so we don't have this crap happening again. OUT OF TUNE IN THE END AND THROUGHOUT!

[jcjcjjcc]

You guys F this song up lol

And i'm not saying (like all these other people) that it should be Jesus because i'm christian, but saying "crying Jesus help me" is definitely more powerful text then "crying who will help me"..

but it doesn't matter anyway because this was a horrible performance :D

[specialgurl1]

beautiful blend, but the message was completely ruined because it was WAY WAY WAY too fast. The song isn't about being perfect, it's about getting the point across, and you can't do that when you run through words that powerful.

[PKAtheist1092]

To everyone commenting how offensive it was that they replaced 'Jesus' with 'who', in the music, it's listed as another option.

[77bje77]

@chubechpmnk Agreed the words are cryin' Jesus help me (who will help me is the substitute but it does not make sense)

[keilxkey2255]

JESUS help me!

Jesus will help you!!!!

GYA!

I'm really tired of people taking such easy offense to anyone who has faith--not nessecarily a christian faith. Why is it so terrible to cry "jesus help me"?!

[mrmauldin72]

i sung this as a solo last year in choir

[mitchelljazz]

CRYING JESUS. JESUS. not who. JESUS.

[pabelmon1]

its a school. they cant say jesus. i think kuz my school is doing that same song. we changed it who

[mitchelljazz]

my school did it last year. we went to state saying "Jesus".... public school. its not like they're converting people. they're just saying "Jesus help me" which is what the composer wrote, so it should be Jesus help me, damnit.

[77bje77]

@pabelmon1 im doing at school and we can say jesus i hate that people don't take the song in context and take out the god parts

[MarshallVoit]

@77bje77 I get that Jesus may be important to you, but what if he's not important to me? Why should I sing about a god I don't believe in? I understand that there are songs that are specifically about Jesus, and that's one thing, and it's fine, I've sung Handel's Messiah before. Handel's messiah is not my messiah. But in this case, the composer was sensitive to the fact that Jesus does not play a role in all our lives, and gave the rest of us a chance to connect with the lyrics, too.

[ledpenceal]

alternate text

[Schwertsan]

Indeed, it is an alternate text. The author, Kurt Bestor, who was (and is) a member of the LDS, wanted it to be more accessible to those who were not Christian. Therefore, he did write the alternate words "Who will help us?" So, although they weren't his first lyrics, they are part of the original lyrics, just alternate.

[jeLLodieee]

alternative lyrics are on the sheet music...

[curtiswiens]

Cry Jesus Help Me!!!

[diggo1991]

die

you suck

[bigmansams88]

great job, at the beginning it sounded childish but pulled it together later on

[MayWeLearn2TrulyLove]

the guy in the middle needs to pull back for better balance...baritone, i believe?

[thetubeusernumber9]

Well the Baris have the disedince.

but yea I aggree.

Also they should use more of a wide sound.

[singofluv]

The words were changed to not include Jesus. I don't like that, but I guess I understand. Good job though! I LOVE this song!

[maz323se]

Agreed.  Just sounds better with the original words. But oh well, cant please everybody.

[dynaet94]

I'm a little bummber that there's no sopranoes.

I think it makes the song sound prettier.

We are doing this in my chorus right now.

I love this song, but I like it with the girl voices too.

[1993musicismylife]

agreed i love this song

the top chior sung this song at my school

i love the soprano part but im a soprano so there might be a little bit to that

i love this song these guys r so good

[tuura40]

tenor part is the best i think.. hahaha ... but im a tenor! hahahaha

[Seothenoob]

The tenor part is definitely the best part :D.

[tuura40]

ahhhh yea haha

[littledivo11]

why is this so fast?

[SaxymanMLC]

can people please stop arguing about Jesus. the fact is that the version i have seen gives the option of changing the words. some of the arguments i have seen around youtube concerning this are really sad. can't you fellow Christians get off your legalistic mentality and preach the gospel. forcing Jesus down their throats will not make them any more willing to hear the good news.

[abcdefghijkati3]

I'm neutral to the whole Jesus controversy on here- I just checked my music and noticed the alternate option at the bottom of the page. I think it's interesting though, how people are trying to argue that the song isn't about Jesus or religion....but the title itself is "Prayer of the Children." Aren't prayers in general already seen as religious? Do people who don't believe in a god pray? Is the title offensive too? I'm really curious.

[SaxymanMLC]

[By the way, Kurt Bestor (the writer of the song) uses Jesus when he sings it.] I think what you have here is two groups of people - those Christians who feel threatened by today's immoral society and try at all costs to preserve what they have, and those who are extreme advocates of church and state and think that any usage of 'Jesus' in this song is a violation of their right to live in an atheistic society. Clearly, the arranger wanted the performer to decide.

[SaxymanMLC]

Any attempt by either side of the argument to mandate their way does not understand human decency. You may like it your way, but you must recognize that your way is just one option. Others do not have to do it your way. In all honesty, other people saying 'who will help me' makes no impact on my belief in salvation through Christ.

[SaxymanMLC]

it sounds like you are very harsh with the words. too many bright vowels and diphthongs. there were dynamics and some expression, but with a group that size (and so young) it is hard to be exact.

btw- i actually don't know how old they are.  they sound like young teenagers to my ear, and i cannot tell by the way they look. [the info did not help either]

[jrnemanich]

sounds like a group of 8th graders sung this

[okaythissucks]

You can say "Who" also and it doesn't matter. If they didn't want to sing Jesus its none of your business.

[caml17]

and the tempo was waay off. too fast

[caml17]

just say "jesus". i know you say "who" in an attempt to be politically correct and to not offend anyone, but the point of the song is that the children are crying for jesus' help.

[Kbabe00]

The tempo was way off. It was inconsistent and too fast. It's a moving song, and I think it loses its effect when sped up. I will say that your dynamics at 2:40 did help your performance

[AJMGarvin2008]

And awesome job on the foreign language!

[AJMGarvin2008]

Awesome song, I'm singing it in two choirs that I'm in at the University of Akron.

You guys have a great rendition, you just need to be a little more sure of some of your notes, and balance out the parts throughout the whole song. At points I can hardly hear the basses, and throughout the whole song the tenors are extremely heavy. But again, an awesome song and rendition!!!

[zbertolino]

Its "Cry Jesus Help Me..." I dont know why you didnt say it. Its a song for gods sake! ok performance. Would of been better if you stuck to the right words.

[stageplays2007]

"who will" are alternate words to that. it's written right in the music.

[JustOneGunner]

"Crying Jesus", actually.

And yes, the alternate lyrics are in the music.

[tben339]

Horrible performance... the conductor can't keep the tempo right and the basses need to be warmed up so they can hit the proper low notes.

[jcjcjjcc]

@tben339 -the bass part isn't even that low lol

well, at least it shouldn't be for REAL basses X]

[Anthonyissactsang]

Abit fast,and when singing,must put in more feelings =)

[student71]

I like it!

[shimmydude1111]

OMFG!!!!!!!!

ITS CRYING JESUS!!!!!

Were singing it in a high school select chorus and we say jesus and no one gets pissed

[2599jmk]

WAAAY TOOO SLOOOW>....

[2599jmk]

I mean too fast... there was no expression at all.

awful

[cmjohnson513]

um,

they sound way to nazel.

maybe its just me.

but they sound like they dont rly wanna be there and dont understand the story of the song.

[gentlepink]

dude i totally agree with you dude they got no expression....oh and by the way next time try "cryin Jesus help us"....but all in all good just tone down that 2nd tenor

[cmjohnson513]

um,

they sound way to nazel.

maybe its just me.

but they sound like they dont rly wanna be there and dont understand the story of the song.

[BerlinRainman]

our mens choir is also singing this and we are sticking with the original lyrics bc they are sooo much cooler

[1billy12345]

actly if u read the sheet music it says to say jesus but then under it it says in liny print optinal change to who will

[CDel921]

I have seen arrangements that have that asterisk, yeah. Ironically, I'm an atheist and believe that the words should be kept as they were written, purely for the sake of perfomring the true music, not to mention it adds emotional impact.

[ThunderousBuns]

Didn't care for the dynamics, this song needs a LOT OF care to make it go. And to LongDriveChamp03, what's wrong with changing it from Jesus to "Who Will"? I like it either way, admittedly, but why does it have to be Jesus?

[LongDriveChamp03]

why did they did they change the lyrics to exclude the name Jesus and Lord. Wow that is horrible. This performance was pretty bad anyway.

[foreskoreandseven]

This is abominable.

[theevmeister]

gawd. that's blunt, but ..... i hate to admit i agree.

[lovemusic93]

Excellent.

My high school concert chorus is performing this SATB, and a bit slower. Our chorus is 115 strong, it should be cool.

[redsoxcowboysjazz]

Great job especially A Capella.

[wdstick]

I can only assume the image and the sound are a little off. Otherwise, what is that conductor doing?

[funnycidesgrl08]

Very well done!! Though through the phrases there could, in my opinion, be a bit more dynamic contrast and swells.

But once again, Great Job!!

[TheValar]

I am currently a high schooler at my All Male Jesuit High School. We practice the Catholic Christian faith. My chorus sang this song in my Freshmen year and we used the word Jesus.

[wdstick]

'Jesuit school preaches Catholicism' shocker! I believe the phrase I'm looking for is 'No s**t Sherlock'.

[TreyAU21]

Actually... the correct lyrics to this song are "Crying Jesus, help me"

Some people change it to something else when singing... but using Jesus' name is the way to sing the song as written.

[TheValar]

In my opinion (which may or may not account for much to others) if anyone feels strongly about the use of Jesus instead of "softly" or "who will" then I agree with that person. Actually, I think that it would sound absolutely wonderful if a mixed chorus sang this song and everyone said a different deity or god or word that truly attributed to that person. That would truly fulfil the true meaning behind Kurt Bestor's The Prayer of the Children.

[wdstick]

And now I'm reading your other comment, which I agree with, and feeling bad about my above sarcasm.

[TheValar]

Regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion, we must all unite together as one in order to prevent death and crying. In some places of the world, there are some that no longer have anymore tears to cry let alone use a computer. So just always remember and never forget these things, lest we have another Holocaust, Rwanda, bombing of a children's hospital, or Darfur...

[jay91dub]

some kids at my school sang this but it was a mixed choir and the female voices really give it a differnet effect

[warewolf9002]

this song just has a lot to remember of, specially from all the wars that are country has endure. There is a lot of innocence people out there dieing and they don't deserve to die. This songs has a lot of love. Just remember, love don't hate. Be true Christians. Love thy neighbor and thy self as it says in the ten Commandments.

[tben339]

Actually it's "love thy neighbor AS thyself," and it isn't in the Ten Commandments.

[warewolf9002]

Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Huh seems you don't read much.

[tben339]

Warewolf, take it easy... You quoted Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus obviously wasn't fooled by that lawyer, for all commandments can be boiled down to "Love God" and "Love your neighbor." However, the phrase "Love thy neighbor as thyself" is not found anywhere in "The Ten Commandments" of the Old Testament. I didn't say anything about the rest of the Bible. Before you accuse someone of "not reading much," you might take the time to consider what is actually being discussed.

[tben339]

And lest anyone misunderstand me, the purpose of my original post was to point out the ignorance of someone who was saying that it's OK to take Jesus out of the picture as long as we love each other. Without Jesus, there is no love.

[warewolf9002]

this is really funny that you think that taking a word destroys a song. Kurt Bestor was the creator of this song and he is also Mormon. He created it for the children that lost there live in the Oklahoma bombing.

[wdstick]

I agree. And I bet that he'd agree that the message of this song is one that goes beyond a particular religion and is universal.

[MarshallVoit]

@warewolf9002 Actually, he wrote the song for Serbian children who were killed in a hospital bombing when he was on his mission. I'm not trying to be a thorn in your side, but if you perform it, it's worth knowing the correct story.

[wdstick]

I can't believe there are people bitching about each other on the comments page of a song about peace. Oh youtube based irony!

[whoaitsryan69]

great job. i think it sounds better w/ jesus instead of who will, but still it was good.

[thatoneguy907]

And by the way, a mormon band, Insideout, used the word Jesus in the song. So don't even talk.

[thatoneguy907]

okay, ebonyandivory, I just have to say, YOU SICKEN ME! You are willing to go onto a video trying to bring peace on earth and you BASH SOMEONES RELIGION! And mormonism isn't as strict or annoying as you think it is. I bet you hate jews too, don't you?

[ColAcoustic]

I've heard the Standards do this song, and they're amazing. These guys are okay, but the Standards are amazing. They do it a capella, and sound really good.

[jorer33]

We sang this song with a chorus of about 110 at the American military cemetery in Luxembourg. It was very moving.

[Camowilli]

im singing this right now in my choir. good job

[DirtyRottenScoundrel]

I actually thought they were pretty good. For all of you damn Xians who think jesus is the center of the universe, Kurt Bestor wrote this song as a message of PEACE, not religion. If you've ever seen a copy of the music, he says to feel completely free to CHANGE the word 'jesus' to 'softly', 'who will' or to ANY deity. When you say jesus, you set up a block in the minds of non-xians, including myself. This song needs to reach as many minds as possible, regardless of faith.

[ebonyandivory524]

ok my comment got cut off... I meant to say that Mormans make me throw up. If you skip over parts and take out cuss words, isnt that just watching a whole other movie?? Why don't you all just go drink de-caffinated soda, with your CTR rings, and try to re-write someones bible while watching tele-tubbies? Oh wait, I bet you couldn't watch that because one is supposedly gay right? Don't bother commenting wither cuz I won't read it! Thanks. FUCK!! lol

[ebonyandivory524]

I agree- Taking out the best word in the song? JESUS? Come on. Mormons make me puke.

[HiveRadical]

I just 'pray' no one involved in such alterations (taking Jesus out of this song that was authored by a Latter-day Saint (Mormon)) ever complains about the whole idea of the DVD software some use to skip over parts of movies they find to be objectionable or altering their own paid for copies to make them more suitable to their tastes. Things like changing words in a production to reflect 'Mormon' standards shouldn't be an issue to any who freely removed Christ from this song.

[ladytweety11]

i saw this one one colorgaurd do a dance to this song it was wayyy beautiful. i luved it

[PURPLEtoothpaste00]

i did this song in sign language

its such a beautiful song. even better in sign laungage WHILE single

[DominationNMU]

I dont know what everyone is talking about, it was good, not great, but not "vomit inducing" either, give these guys a break, the director wasnt so good, but im assuming this is a high school choir, and if so, they did a good job for this song other than the middle section which is very challenging anyway. Good Job for the most part guys :)

[MiLliKiNGiRl]

C'mon guys I've heard highschool choirs that had freshman out of 8th grade in them that have done a much better job than you. Don't you want to be good?? Put some time in actually trying to sound like you're not in 5th grade! Try it! It'll do wonders!

[ladytweety11]

thats kinda rude, im thinking if ucant say nuttin nice then dont say nuttin at all:(

[Wint0fresh]

not very good :-/ i think your conductor pretty much ruined it for you. I sounded like you guys spent about 3 days working on this.

[rjcgamer]

You guys need practice, and your teacher should be fired not only for his horrible leading (hand flailing) but for changing the beautiful words to the song. Plus, you guys ruined the ooh part. Plus you guys dont project as much as you yell. And if you are wondering, yes I have plenty of experience learning about music and singing it.

[heimbrock1]

ugghhhhh, way to bright

[doormatttttttt]

that was vomit inducing. sorrry

[tator2232]

It is a wonderful song but you sound like you are 8 or 9. You need to sound more mature and you need to bring out the higher and lower parts. That bass part is amazing and it is hard to hear. It gets alittle scary at 2 minutes but works out. Other than that, its ok.

[curryo99]

this is not good...no one on youtube has sung this song even halfway decently yet. its not a hard song.

[britsasion]

The beginning was rushed, the song was excellent though! Even though I'm singing it with a younger group, they sing wonderfully, but the uniscine is to hard for them =(((

O LOVED IT. BRAVOOO! u sing it better then the other choir i heard at my school >.>

[MLeeemily]

Pretty good. As Marcu5r0xs0x said it's too bright. This could be due too either the fast tempo its going or the reeds (loud voices) in your tenor sections making it too top heavy and therefore bright sounding. Also the vowel pronunciation is a huge thing. Such as the word 'hope' sounds very 'wide-mouthed' therefore very informal which does not suit the piece. Try singing with a lifted palate and to produce a more rounded 'o' as would be said in 'floor' would produce a much richer, warm sound.

[Marcu5r0xs0x]

i felt this was much to bright. personally.

[LoveThatPhantom]

Holy shit,man. This was cool! You guys sang it better than we did.

[trevorwaechter]

The word children sticks out too much...you guys should have aimed for the vowel to be "childrun" instead of "childrin" Chords not balanced very good in some spots. Other than that I love this song, so whatever.

[RabidIceWeasel]

I'm atheist and I honestly couldn't care less if "Jesus" or "God" is in a song. It's the way the song was written. Why change it? x3

Regardless, absolutely wonderful.

[Singingdude91]

you don't need to go anywhere--slow it down!

but well done! i truly enjoyed this. sounds great!

no need to do it with higher voices this sounds good with TB's but the basses just need to watch there tone.

[realwilder]

We are doing this song this year

[phantom1412]

need higher voices, and slower tempo

[meghanheartsian]

I love this song. my group did it but i never got a copy of the recording

[Live4Him4Ever]

I think it would have been better slower...and maybe mixed with a few higher voices. I've heard several versions of it, and the soprano voices really add to the mood of the song. But being as it looks like a men's chior, I guess you did the best you could.--Still I would recommend you sing it slower.

[jomarkdave]

great song. horrible interpretation. afraid of being religious. some of the greatest music is. i would like to hear your version of any requiem or bach chorale.

[FTSkthxdie]

I wouldn't blame them for erasing Jesus' name out of this piece. It's a common thing to be afraid of being religious nowadays in public especially here in the liberal parts of California. My school choir began singing this song today and we were also told to replace "Jesus" with "who will" to make it secular. It really irks me as well, but what can we do? Nothing. Just have to deal with it. It's not our fault; we're just doing what the rest of society tells us to do so we dont get crap from them

[jomarkdave]

then lets throw out jesu, joy of man's desiring...almost anything that's latin..etc...

[johnbenbob2000]

Ergh... This is an absolutely beautiful, tear-jerking song, when done correctly. This time, though, I find myself shedding a tear for how torn apart the song was, rather than the souls of the children.. The director and group obviously have no idea what they're performing, simply plugging out words & notes with the occasional volume difference...and as fast as they can, it seems. I'm sorry, but this was just painful in the wrong way..

[blunderbirdr]

my group won 1st place in a national competiton with this piece. It's difficult to do right

[mykel58]

I do agree, it does seem a little rushed in some parts. BUT, that is the decision of the choir, to each his own.

I LOVED singing this one! We never competed with it tho.

[TheKnightWhoSaidNi]

We went to contest with this a few years ago. You all have excellent harmony, but it's too rushed. That's about twice as fast as we did it.

[DoKun]

I think this would have been a lot better if it didn't seem rushed.....I mean you guys know what this song is about ne? And then we see your Director flapping his hands furiously trying to rush this nice peace........Slower~!! Also a lot of off pitches......What rating do you guys go to competitions with?? AA...A...B...C??

[sv02]

the men's chorale doesn't compete...it's just for fun, extra curricular...small groups (octet, overtones) compete

[abcdefghijkati3]

I thought the pitches were pretty good