0:00:05 > 0:00:10After a nation-wide vote to identify the United Kingdom's top ten hymns,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Songs of Praise is pleased to announce the results.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16With the help of 5,000 voices here in the Royal Albert Hall,
0:00:16 > 0:00:20together with special guests Michael Ball...
0:00:22 > 0:00:23..Andrea Begley,
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Friar Alessandro
0:00:25 > 0:00:29and to sing the most popular hymn of all, Russell Watson.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32So stand by for a very special Big Sing.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43APPLAUSE
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Hello. This is my first Big Sing.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It's a terrific privilege as I get to announce
0:00:53 > 0:00:56each of the top ten hymns from our national poll.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00We've had thousands of votes so thank you if you cast yours.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I'm sure you'll be very keen to know if your favourite is among them.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Perhaps it's the hymn we're going to sing first.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10At number ten, let's all sing The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38APPLAUSE
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Well, what a wonderfully moving beginning
0:03:42 > 0:03:44to this very special Big Sing.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Thanks to our 40-piece Big Sing orchestra,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49conducted by Maestro Paul Leddington Wright.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51APPLAUSE
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Our magnificent choirs,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59the Guildford Choral Society, Brighton Festival Chorus,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02St Michael's Singers and the Adventist Vocal Ensemble.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04APPLAUSE
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Now it's time for our first guest soloist, who is going to sing
0:04:09 > 0:04:13our number nine hymn Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16based on a prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19It's not often that The Bing Sing welcomes a Franciscan friar,
0:04:19 > 0:04:23but all the way from the very friary in Italy that was founded by
0:04:23 > 0:04:27St Francis himself, please welcome Friar Alessandro.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29APPLAUSE
0:04:41 > 0:04:48# Make me a channel of your peace
0:04:50 > 0:04:52# Where there is hatred
0:04:52 > 0:04:58# Let me bring your love
0:04:59 > 0:05:02# Where there is injury
0:05:02 > 0:05:07# Your pardon, Lord
0:05:08 > 0:05:11# And where there's doubt
0:05:11 > 0:05:15# True faith in you
0:05:17 > 0:05:20# Oh, Master, grant
0:05:20 > 0:05:26# That I may never seek
0:05:26 > 0:05:30# So much to be consoled
0:05:30 > 0:05:34# As to console
0:05:34 > 0:05:38# To be understood
0:05:38 > 0:05:44# As to understand
0:05:44 > 0:05:46# To be loved
0:05:46 > 0:05:52# As to love with all my soul
0:05:53 > 0:06:00# Make me a channel of your peace
0:06:01 > 0:06:05# Where there's despair in life
0:06:05 > 0:06:09# Let me bring hope
0:06:10 > 0:06:14# Where there is darkness
0:06:14 > 0:06:18# Only light
0:06:18 > 0:06:22# And where there's sadness
0:06:22 > 0:06:26# Ever joy
0:06:28 > 0:06:30# Oh, Master, grant
0:06:30 > 0:06:36# That I may never seek
0:06:36 > 0:06:40# So much to be consoled
0:06:40 > 0:06:45# As to console
0:06:45 > 0:06:48# To be understood
0:06:48 > 0:06:54# As to understand
0:06:54 > 0:06:56# To be loved
0:06:56 > 0:07:03# As to love with all my soul
0:07:05 > 0:07:12# Make me a channel of your peace
0:07:13 > 0:07:15# It is in pardoning
0:07:15 > 0:07:21# That we are pardoned, Lord
0:07:22 > 0:07:25# In giving of ourselves
0:07:25 > 0:07:30# That we receive
0:07:30 > 0:07:33# And in dying
0:07:33 > 0:07:40# We are born to eternal life
0:07:46 > 0:07:52# Make me a channel of your
0:07:52 > 0:07:57# Peace. #
0:07:59 > 0:08:01APPLAUSE
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Ladies and gentlemen, Friar Alessandro.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Bellissimo.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13So...now then, anybody here from Wales?
0:08:13 > 0:08:14CHEERING
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Quite a few. Excellent, because you're urgently needed to lead
0:08:18 > 0:08:22the singing of our next great hymn. Synonymous with the land of song,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25it was voted the eighth most popular choice in our nation-wide poll.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29You may well have guessed it by now. Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25APPLAUSE
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Now, that's what I call singing. Magnificent!
0:11:32 > 0:11:37Our next guest has starred on many a West End stage and all over the world.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40He's a familiar voice on BBC Radio 2 on a Sunday
0:11:40 > 0:11:43and he's appeared many times in all kinds of programmes on TV.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Please welcome a man of a million talents, Mr Michael Ball.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- Oh, you're looking very fit and well.- I feel very fit and well.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- I love being in this building. - You've sung in so many shows,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01you've been on tour, we talked about the radio,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- do you feel blessed in that respect? - Oh, absolutely.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08I think the biggest blessing you can have in your life is to find
0:12:08 > 0:12:13work that you love doing and to still be doing it after so many years.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17And if that work is about trying to give pleasure to people, it's a double blessing.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19I'm very, very lucky.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21The hymn you're about to sing for us,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24it's number seven in our top ten.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29It's inspiring for so many people. Does it mean something special for you?
0:12:29 > 0:12:33It's one of those hymns that when you actually analyse the words,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37you know that there are people going through certain times in their life
0:12:37 > 0:12:41where they need inspiration, where they need help, where they need comfort
0:12:41 > 0:12:44and it's a song like this that can absolutely give it to them.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49- Ladies and gentlemen, singing Abide With Me, Michael Ball.- Thank you.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51APPLAUSE
0:12:59 > 0:13:04# Abide with me
0:13:04 > 0:13:09# Fast falls the eventide
0:13:10 > 0:13:17# The darkness deepens
0:13:17 > 0:13:21# Lord, with me abide
0:13:22 > 0:13:29# When other helpers
0:13:29 > 0:13:34# Fail and comforts flee
0:13:35 > 0:13:40# Help of the helpless
0:13:40 > 0:13:46# O, abide with me
0:13:54 > 0:13:59# Swift to its close
0:13:59 > 0:14:05# Ebbs out life's little day
0:14:07 > 0:14:11# Earth's joys grow dim
0:14:11 > 0:14:17# Its glories pass away
0:14:19 > 0:14:23# Change and decay
0:14:23 > 0:14:29# Is all around I see
0:14:30 > 0:14:36# O, Thou who changest not
0:14:36 > 0:14:42# Abide with me
0:14:50 > 0:14:54# Hold Thou Thy cross
0:14:54 > 0:15:00# Before my closing eyes
0:15:01 > 0:15:06# Shine through the gloom
0:15:06 > 0:15:13# And point me to the skies
0:15:13 > 0:15:18# Heaven's morning breaks
0:15:18 > 0:15:25# And Earth's vain shadows flee
0:15:25 > 0:15:31# In life, in death, O Lord
0:15:31 > 0:15:38# Abide with me
0:15:38 > 0:15:45# In life, in death, O Lord
0:15:45 > 0:15:49# Abide
0:15:49 > 0:15:53# With
0:15:53 > 0:15:58# Me. #
0:16:01 > 0:16:03APPLAUSE
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Ladies and gentlemen, the magnificent Michael Ball.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10APPLAUSE
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Well, as you may have seen, just a few weeks ago our next guests
0:16:18 > 0:16:21became the first ever Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25so we've invited them here tonight to sing a catchy interpretation of
0:16:25 > 0:16:29the hymn at number six in our top ten, so have you clapping hands
0:16:29 > 0:16:33ready and please give a warm welcome to the Town Hall Gospel Choir from Birmingham.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35APPLAUSE
0:16:42 > 0:16:46# And can it be that I should gain
0:16:46 > 0:16:51# An interest in the Saviour's blood
0:16:51 > 0:16:56# Died he for me who caused his pain
0:16:56 > 0:17:01# For me who him to death pursued
0:17:01 > 0:17:05# Amazing love, how can it be
0:17:05 > 0:17:10# That Thou, my God Shouldst die for me?
0:17:10 > 0:17:15# Amazing love, how can it be
0:17:15 > 0:17:20# That Thou, my God Shouldst die for me?
0:17:23 > 0:17:28# He left his Father's throne above
0:17:28 > 0:17:33# So free, so infinite His grace
0:17:33 > 0:17:38# Emptied himself of all but love
0:17:38 > 0:17:43# And bled for Adam's helpless race
0:17:43 > 0:17:47# Tis mercy all, immense and free
0:17:47 > 0:17:52# For O my God, it found out me
0:17:52 > 0:17:57# Amazing love, how can it be
0:17:57 > 0:18:02# That Thou, my God Shouldst die for me?
0:18:06 > 0:18:10# Long my imprisoned spirit lay
0:18:10 > 0:18:16# Fast bound in sin And nature's night
0:18:16 > 0:18:20# Thine eye diffused a quickening ray
0:18:20 > 0:18:25# I woke The dungeon flamed with light
0:18:25 > 0:18:29# My chains fell off My heart was free
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- # I rose- I rose - Went forth- Went forth
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- #- And foll... - And followed Thee
0:18:35 > 0:18:40# No condemnation now I dread
0:18:40 > 0:18:44# Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
0:18:44 > 0:18:49# Alive in Him, my living Head
0:18:49 > 0:18:54# And clothed in righteousness divine
0:18:54 > 0:18:59# Bold I approach the eternal throne
0:18:59 > 0:19:04# And claim the crown through Christ my own
0:19:04 > 0:19:08# Amazing love, how can it be
0:19:08 > 0:19:14# That thou, my God shouldst die for me?
0:19:14 > 0:19:18# Amazing love, how can it be
0:19:18 > 0:19:20# That thou, my God
0:19:20 > 0:19:30# Shouldst die for me? #
0:19:30 > 0:19:32APPLAUSE
0:19:33 > 0:19:37The Town Hall Gospel Choir from Birmingham - wonderful.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40So, we're halfway through our top ten hymns,
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and at number five, a modern classic -
0:19:42 > 0:19:45written only in 1981 by Dan Schutte.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47It echoes the Bible's story about young Samuel,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49who responded to God's voice,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52making himself available to help others.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30APPLAUSE
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Beautiful singing.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Now, when we last asked you for your favourites, back in 2005,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42our next hymn was our second most popular choice.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45It's still right up there for all kinds of special occasions.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Based on words by the Quaker John Greenleaf Whittier
0:22:49 > 0:22:52and matched to Hubert Parry's calming tune Repton
0:22:52 > 0:22:55is a hymn to slow you down a bit in our ever-busy world.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06APPLAUSE
0:25:08 > 0:25:10It's time to meet our next special guest.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Ladies and gentlemen, singing the third most popular hymn
0:25:13 > 0:25:16in our top ten poll, it's Andrea Begley.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32# Be still for the presence of the Lord
0:25:32 > 0:25:37# The Holy One, is here
0:25:39 > 0:25:44# Come bow before Him now
0:25:44 > 0:25:49# With reverence and fear
0:25:50 > 0:25:55# In Him no sin is found
0:25:57 > 0:26:01# We stand on holy ground
0:26:02 > 0:26:07# Be still for the presence of the Lord
0:26:07 > 0:26:11# The Holy One is here
0:26:26 > 0:26:30# Be still, for the glory of the Lord
0:26:30 > 0:26:35# Is shining all around
0:26:37 > 0:26:42# He burns with holy fire
0:26:42 > 0:26:47# In splendour He is crowned
0:26:49 > 0:26:54# How awesome is the sight
0:26:55 > 0:27:01# Our radiant King of light!
0:27:01 > 0:27:06# Be still, for the glory of the Lord
0:27:06 > 0:27:10# Is shining all around
0:27:19 > 0:27:23# Be still, for the power of the Lord
0:27:23 > 0:27:28# Is moving in this place
0:27:30 > 0:27:35# He comes to cleanse and heal
0:27:35 > 0:27:41# To minister His grace
0:27:42 > 0:27:46# No work too hard for Him
0:27:46 > 0:27:53# In faith receive from Him
0:27:53 > 0:27:58# Be still, for the power of the Lord
0:27:58 > 0:28:03# Is moving in...
0:28:03 > 0:28:08# This place
0:28:09 > 0:28:13# This place
0:28:16 > 0:28:23# This place. #
0:28:23 > 0:28:26APPLAUSE
0:28:30 > 0:28:34So now we come to the second most popular hymn
0:28:34 > 0:28:35in the United Kingdom.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39Actually, it's only been widely sung since about 2001,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42so in just over a decade, it's clearly made its mark.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Written by two of today's most gifted hymn writers,
0:28:45 > 0:28:50Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, and using powerful Biblical imagery,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52it makes a pretty bold statement.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22APPLAUSE
0:32:25 > 0:32:28That was super. Absolutely wonderful.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Here we are, then, ready to reveal the most popular hymn,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33voted for by thousands of people
0:32:33 > 0:32:35from right across the United Kingdom.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39It's been translated into Welsh, Chinese, Japanese, Polish,
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Romanian, Spanish, Vietnamese, even Maori,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44such is its international appeal.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48The powerful verses about creation, the Cross and Christ's return,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51complemented by a truly stirring chorus.
0:32:51 > 0:32:52So, we can at last reveal
0:32:52 > 0:32:55the United Kingdom's number one hymn is...
0:32:56 > 0:32:59..How Great Thou Art.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01And to lead us, our final special guest,
0:33:01 > 0:33:03the man with the perfectly powerful voice,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05please welcome Russell Watson.
0:33:05 > 0:33:06APPLAUSE
0:33:09 > 0:33:10Russell, great to see you.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16What does it mean, then, to you to be number one, if you like?
0:33:16 > 0:33:18Singing such a popular hymn?
0:33:18 > 0:33:20It's a great privilege, actually,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23on such a magnificent occasion as well,
0:33:23 > 0:33:25with so many people in the Royal Albert Hall,
0:33:25 > 0:33:27singing what was one of my grandma's favourite hymns.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31She'd have loved to be here tonight to see me sing this one, bless her.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32What does it mean to you?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35I think it's just a beautifully written piece of music.
0:33:35 > 0:33:36I don't know - when you listen to it,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39there's something very, very familiar about this piece of music.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41It's a little bit...
0:33:41 > 0:33:43It reminds me a little bit of Danny Boy.
0:33:43 > 0:33:44Russell, thanks very much.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47While Russell gets himself ready to sing the number one hymn,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50it just remains for me to say thank you for watching,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52thank you all for being here.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54I do hope you've enjoyed the wonderful hymn singing
0:33:54 > 0:33:56and all of our special guests.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00From the Royal Albert Hall, one final hymn - How Great Thou Art.
0:34:17 > 0:34:24# Oh Lord, my God when I in awesome wonder
0:34:24 > 0:34:30# Consider all the works Thy hand hath made
0:34:32 > 0:34:39# I see the stars I hear the mighty thunder
0:34:40 > 0:34:46# Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed
0:34:47 > 0:34:55# Then sings my soul my Saviour God, to Thee
0:34:55 > 0:34:59# How great Thou art
0:34:59 > 0:35:02# How great Thou art
0:35:03 > 0:35:10# Then sings my soul my Saviour God, to Thee
0:35:12 > 0:35:14# How great Thou art
0:35:14 > 0:35:19# How great Thou art!
0:35:24 > 0:35:32# And when I think that God His Son not sparing
0:35:32 > 0:35:39# Sent Him to die I scarce can take it in
0:35:40 > 0:35:48# That on the Cross my burden gladly bearing
0:35:48 > 0:35:54# He bled and died to take away my sin
0:35:56 > 0:36:03# Then sings my soul my Saviour God, to Thee
0:36:04 > 0:36:07# How great Thou art
0:36:08 > 0:36:10# How great Thou art
0:36:12 > 0:36:18# Then sings my soul my Saviour God, to Thee
0:36:20 > 0:36:23# How great Thou art
0:36:23 > 0:36:27# How great Thou art!
0:37:51 > 0:37:53APPLAUSE
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Next week, join Sally and Diane in Glasgow
0:38:05 > 0:38:07as they count down to the Commonwealth Games
0:38:07 > 0:38:10with stirring, patriotic hymns to get you in the mood.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14And our Songs Of Praise family face their greatest challenge yet,
0:38:14 > 0:38:17as water-phobic Dad tries to swim like a triathlete.