1996 Atlanta Opening Ceremonies - Jessye Norman - Finale

(12:33am) The Finale song of the ceremony, "Faster Higher Stronger", (which is the Latin Translation of the phrase "Citius, Altius, Fortius" used by Pierre de Coubertin on the creation of the International Olympic Committee in 1894) is sung by the World renowned opera singer Jessye Norman. Hosted by Dick Enberg & Bob Costas July 20th 1996 Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Music, Mark Watters
Lyrics by Lorraine Feather
There's an ancient call that echoes
In the minds of all who strive
To fulfill a dream of glory
To be joyously alive
We've been searching for the heart's true freedom
With a passion that can never die
And our victory will shine like sunlight
On everyone who hears the cry
Citius (Faster)
Altius (Higher)
Fortius (Stronger)
Here we stand
This long-awaited day
Beginning - we pray
That we'll be lifted higher
A fire lights every soul
We turn toward our goal
And suddenly we are faster
Each one of us has cried
But we cast pain aside
And slowly we grow stronger
The race is ours to run
Let a voice heard round the world proclaim
The games have now begun
Run faster
Reach higher
Be stronger
Hand to hand
The torch is passed in trust
Among us - we must
Keep climbing even higher
We seem to hear the cheers
Of thousands of years
And find we are ever faster
These rings are intertwined
Like the hopes of mankind
Together we are stronger
The race is ours to run
Let a voice heard round the world proclaim
The games have now begun
Run faster
Reach higher
Be stronger
Faster
Higher
Stronger

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[erin129]

omg that song is atrocious.

that said, Jessye is her usual amazing self. with that voice, she can even get away with making that dreck sound like an actual song. Brava! she really earned her pay here, lol.

[fashionboy1228]

I was in the 1996 Olympic band and performed both the opening and closing ceromines and watched this magnificent lady rehearse and give a fantatstic performance. AWESOME. If this is good..just imagine it live!

[allthingsOlympic]

i think this was the worst part of a overall exciting ceremony but this woman has an amazing voice, i used to sing like this till about age 16 when my voice finally started drastically dropping ew

[ian1856]

I swear, Jessye Norman could sing the friggin' phone book and it would bring tears to my eyes. What a glorious artist she is. She elevates everything she does. Heard her live at Carnegie Hall in '76, and I've been hooked ever since.

[bum254]

wtf? it should've been better if backstreet boys performed... lol!!!! atleast.. that is so america!!!! with cheerleaders dancing with the boys! hahaha

[belcunto]

i love her but this is an atrocious song!

[glennherring]

not of fan of this song but it would be a huge hit today in 2010 lol! Sounds a bit too comtemporary for 1996 but that shows how poised and sophisticated she is as a musician.

[NYCSizzle]

@erin129 From memory of my experience, the ASOC participants also dreaded this piece during rehearsals. The highlight was Jessye at the final dress rehearsal/recording in Symphony Hall and SHE changed everything. Once she was involved, we felt the importance of the song within the context of the event and we sang better, as a result. In fact, the choir was seated in the front rows of the hall and she faced us. Feeling the power of her sound was extraordinary and I will always remember it.

[wTrevorh]

Absolutely fantastic, Jessye! Not a great song rhythmically, but she made it happen! Brava, girl!

[zairared]

i remember this opening because of jessye performace , i will remember this for ever

[tvpro75]

@kenndogg I remember too. The Olympics always evokes such drama and interest. I love it!!! All that "Pomp and Circumstance." LOL!!!