0:00:08 > 0:00:11This week, we've packed London's most famous concert hall
0:00:11 > 0:00:13to sing some of the biggest hymns ever written.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16They'll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19We're joined by superstar tenor, Alfie Boe
0:00:19 > 0:00:22and Jaz Ellington from BBC One's The Voice.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Our Junior School Choir Of The Year Heath Mount are here.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26So why not sit back and relax,
0:00:26 > 0:00:31or join in and sing along in this Songs of Praise spectacular?
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Hello and welcome to The Big Sing
0:00:53 > 0:00:56from the magnificent Royal Albert Hall!
0:00:56 > 0:00:57APPLAUSE
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I tell you, this is where Songs Of Praise really goes to town.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06You may be wondering why it's called The Big Sing.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Well, firstly we have our 40-piece orchestra
0:01:10 > 0:01:12conducted by Paul Leddington Wright!
0:01:12 > 0:01:16To lead us, three magnificent choirs - Adventist Vocal Ensemble,
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Saint Michael's Singers and Brighton Festival Chorus!
0:01:20 > 0:01:21APPLAUSE
0:01:24 > 0:01:27There are no less than 5,000 of us here,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29ready to sing - isn't that right?
0:01:29 > 0:01:31AUDIENCE: Yes!
0:01:31 > 0:01:33That's pretty big in my book, I have to say!
0:01:33 > 0:01:35All of today's hymns have been selected
0:01:35 > 0:01:37to be stirring and exciting.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Let's start with one that should really raise the roof.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43The mood is triumphant, the imagery, striking.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45It's Crown Him With Many Crowns.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53There are plenty more hymns to come,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56but now it's time for our first star guest.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59He began his working life as a mechanic at a car factory
0:04:59 > 0:05:02in Fleetwood, where he entertained his colleagues singing opera arias.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04From there, he began his journey to the top,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06starring on the West End stage,
0:05:06 > 0:05:11and performing live at the Diamond Jubilee concert in front of royalty.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Ladies and gentlemen, it has to be Alfie Boe.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:05:23 > 0:05:25It has been an amazing journey, hasn't it?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27It has. I've been very fortunate,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30very lucky to be in the right place at the right time
0:05:30 > 0:05:32and had many people around supporting me
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and lots of wonderful fans getting me on my way.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- Do you miss the factory?- No. LAUGHTER
0:05:38 > 0:05:41What have been some of the highlights?
0:05:41 > 0:05:45Of course, her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee celebration.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47That was incredible. The view down The Mall was extraordinary,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50and sharing the stage with wonderful artists.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55The 25th anniversary of Les Mis was a pretty big one for me. Thank you.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02You're going to sing a hymn, Be Still My Soul. Very powerful one.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04What's it mean to you?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07It means everything to me. It's a beautiful hymn.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It's one of my favourite songs and I think, in times of trouble,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13when you're stressed and going through a lot of heartache,
0:06:13 > 0:06:18whatever, you have to believe in the power of faith to get you through.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19And that's what I try and do.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I can't wait to hear it.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- Ladies and gentlemen, singing Be Still My Soul, Alfie Boe.- Thank you.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27APPLAUSE
0:06:33 > 0:06:37# Be still, my soul
0:06:37 > 0:06:42# The Lord is on thy side
0:06:44 > 0:06:48# Bear patiently
0:06:48 > 0:06:53# The cross of grief or pain
0:06:54 > 0:06:58# Leave to thy God
0:06:58 > 0:07:04# To order and provide
0:07:05 > 0:07:09# In every change
0:07:09 > 0:07:14# He faithful will remain
0:07:16 > 0:07:20# Be still my soul
0:07:20 > 0:07:26# Thy best, thy heavenly friend
0:07:27 > 0:07:31# Through thorny ways
0:07:31 > 0:07:36# Leads to a joyful end
0:07:39 > 0:07:42# Be still my soul
0:07:42 > 0:07:47# Thy God doth undertake
0:07:49 > 0:07:55# To guide the future
0:07:55 > 0:07:59# As He has the past
0:08:00 > 0:08:06# Thy hope, thy confidence
0:08:06 > 0:08:10# Let nothing shake
0:08:12 > 0:08:20# All now mysterious shall be bright at last
0:08:23 > 0:08:26# Be still my soul
0:08:26 > 0:08:32# The winds and waves still know
0:08:34 > 0:08:39# His voice who ruled them
0:08:39 > 0:08:45# While He dwelt below
0:08:54 > 0:08:59# When we shall be
0:08:59 > 0:09:04# For ever with the Lord
0:09:17 > 0:09:21# Sorrow forgot
0:09:21 > 0:09:27# Love's purest joys restored
0:09:28 > 0:09:33# Be still my soul
0:09:33 > 0:09:40# When change and tears are past
0:09:40 > 0:09:44# All safe and blessed
0:09:44 > 0:09:50# That we shall meet at last
0:09:52 > 0:09:58# All safe and blest
0:09:58 > 0:10:05# That we shall meet
0:10:05 > 0:10:10# At last. #
0:10:21 > 0:10:22Alfie Boe, everybody!
0:10:22 > 0:10:25APPLAUSE
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- Wasn't that fantastic? - AUDIENCE: Yes!
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Our next hymn really encompasses the whole world.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Sung at the Queen's coronation in 1953, it's a fine example
0:10:35 > 0:10:39of the thrill of congregation and choirs joining together in praise.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42It's the glorious All People That on Earth Do Dwell.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Our next guests sang their little hearts out
0:14:16 > 0:14:19in the School Choir of the Year competition.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21They'd entered many times before,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24but despite their best efforts, always fell short of winning.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26So, imagine their delight
0:14:26 > 0:14:28when they heard the words I'm going to repeat for you now,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31so get ready to clap, OK, ladies and gentlemen?
0:14:31 > 0:14:36The Songs of Praise Junior School Choir of the Year is Heath Mount!
0:14:36 > 0:14:38APPLAUSE
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Before they perform, I'd like to invite to the stage
0:14:42 > 0:14:45someone who wrote the beautiful hymn they're about to sing.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48It's one of the nation's favourites.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome David Evans.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53APPLAUSE
0:14:55 > 0:14:57David, I really don't want to make you blush,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00but on behalf of the millions of people who have sung your hymn,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03personally for me, it really brought me back to God.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07It's probably my favourite hymn ever.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Thank you, Aled. That means so much to me. It's fantastic.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12It came to you in a flash, didn't it?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15It did, yes. I wasn't planning to write a song,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19but my wife went out to work one evening back in 1985,
0:15:19 > 0:15:24and I started strumming my guitar and Be Still emerged
0:15:24 > 0:15:26within about an hour.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28A little bird tells me
0:15:28 > 0:15:31you were more into your rock music at university.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Well, you might find it hard to believe,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38dressed as I am tonight, but I was a bit of a rocker in my teenage years.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43And I have actually written some rock praise songs as well,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45but they're probably best forgotten.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- So, you're still writing? - Oh, I'm still writing.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Nothing has quite achieved the success of Be Still.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54I'm quite happy with the success that Be Still has had.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56What makes a good hymn?
0:15:56 > 0:16:00I think it's got to have great words, good content,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04strong theology - and a good tune - but in the end,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08it's got to have that certain quality that touches the heart.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- Are you looking forward to hearing this choir sing?- Can't wait!
0:16:12 > 0:16:16I should warn you, you've got about 15 seconds to get up into that box.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18David Evans, ladies and gentlemen!
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Singing, Be Still, for the presence of the Lord, Heath Mount School.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43# Be still the presence of the Lord
0:16:43 > 0:16:49# The Holy One is here
0:16:49 > 0:16:54# Come bow before Him now
0:16:54 > 0:16:59# With reverence and fear
0:16:59 > 0:17:04# In Him no sin is found
0:17:04 > 0:17:09# We stand on holy ground
0:17:09 > 0:17:13# Be still for the presence of the Lord
0:17:13 > 0:17:17# The Holy One is here
0:17:19 > 0:17:25# Be still for the glory of the Lord
0:17:25 > 0:17:30# Is shining all around
0:17:30 > 0:17:34# He burns with holy fire
0:17:34 > 0:17:39# With splendour he is crowned
0:17:39 > 0:17:44# How awesome is the sight?
0:17:44 > 0:17:49# Our radiant King of light
0:17:49 > 0:17:53# Be still for the glory of the Lord
0:17:53 > 0:17:58# Is shining all around
0:18:01 > 0:18:06# Be still for the power of the Lord
0:18:06 > 0:18:11# Is moving in this place
0:18:11 > 0:18:15# He comes to cleanse and heal
0:18:15 > 0:18:20# To minister His grace
0:18:20 > 0:18:24# No work too hard for Him
0:18:24 > 0:18:31# In faith receive from Him
0:18:31 > 0:18:34# Be still for the power of the Lord
0:18:34 > 0:18:40# Is moving in this place
0:18:48 > 0:18:54# Be still for the power of the Lord
0:18:54 > 0:19:01# Is moving in this place. #
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Heath Mount School, ladies and gentlemen!
0:19:17 > 0:19:20APPLAUSE
0:19:20 > 0:19:25If you'd like to enter the School Choir of the Year competition,
0:19:25 > 0:19:26it's not too late to apply.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Just visit our website,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33where you'll find all the information you need -
0:19:33 > 0:19:35It could be your school lifting the trophy.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Our next hymn writer,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Francis Alstyne, penned an amazing 8,000 hymns,
0:19:40 > 0:19:44incredible in itself, but even more so, given that she was blind.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46This hymn lay hidden for decades.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49It's now recognised the world over as a wonderful hymn of praise.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51To God Be the Glory.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Absolutely glorious.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Now, the majestic phrases of our next hymn are as moving today
0:23:24 > 0:23:26as when Isaac Watts wrote them.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Arguably the greatest hymn writer, Charles Wesley, said
0:23:29 > 0:23:33he'd give up all his hymns to have written just this one.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26Many millions enjoyed our next guest's amazing talents on the BBC hit show, The Voice.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28He even managed to move the celebrity judges to tears
0:26:28 > 0:26:30during his first performance.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Jaz Ellington!
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- Hi, Jaz.- How you doing?
0:26:40 > 0:26:42What was it like being on that show?
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Oh, gosh, it was the most scariest experience of my life.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49But also the greatest. It was so much fun. I learned so much.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51All in a short space of time.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53- Have you ever sung here before?- Yes.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- It's amazing, isn't it? - I've never seen it so full, though.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58- LAUGHTER - It's well-known that you have a faith.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01How much did that impact on you during the competition?
0:27:01 > 0:27:04You know what? It's all about believing.
0:27:04 > 0:27:10So everything I did, throughout every rehearsal, I just thought,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13believe, you can do it. Throughout the whole experience.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17When you've got something to hold onto, faith, it keeps you going.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20And what about growing up? Was there lots of gospel music in the house?
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Loads of memories of my mum playing gospel music in the kitchen,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26singing at all hours of the night. I'm trying to go to sleep.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29And she's singing at one o'clock in the morning, cooking in the kitchen.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30What did she used to sing?
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- Loads of hymns, like Nearer My God To Thee.- Oh, yeah?
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Yeah, yeah, she's, gospel is part of my foundation.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40And what are you going to sing for us?
0:27:40 > 0:27:42I'm going to sing Angels by Robbie Williams.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44It's one of my favourite songs.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47I've sung in school, out of school, I still sing it now,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49the words are very powerful to me.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51It's very hymn-like.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Yeah, you could actually say, you could say it was, yeah,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57I'd say I would've thought it was a hymn if I didn't know better!
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Ladies and gentlemen, singing Angels, it's Jaz Ellington!
0:28:10 > 0:28:13# I sit and wait
0:28:13 > 0:28:21# Does an angel contemplate my fate?
0:28:23 > 0:28:26# And do they know
0:28:26 > 0:28:29# The places where we go
0:28:29 > 0:28:34# When we're grey and old?
0:28:35 > 0:28:38# Cos I've been told
0:28:38 > 0:28:42# That salvation
0:28:42 > 0:28:47# Lets their wings unfold
0:28:49 > 0:28:53# So when I'm lying in my bed
0:28:54 > 0:28:57# Thoughts running through my head
0:28:57 > 0:29:01# And it feels like love is dead
0:29:01 > 0:29:06# I'm loving angels instead
0:29:06 > 0:29:09# And through it all
0:29:09 > 0:29:12# She offers me protection
0:29:12 > 0:29:16# A lot of love and affection
0:29:16 > 0:29:19# Whether I'm right or wrong
0:29:19 > 0:29:22# And down the waterfall
0:29:22 > 0:29:26# Wherever it may take me
0:29:26 > 0:29:29# I know that life won't break me
0:29:29 > 0:29:32# When I come to call
0:29:32 > 0:29:36# She won't forsake me
0:29:38 > 0:29:43# I'm loving angels instead
0:29:44 > 0:29:48# When I'm feeling weak
0:29:48 > 0:29:53# And my pain walks down a one-way street
0:29:53 > 0:29:57# Oh, I look above
0:29:59 > 0:30:04# And I know I'll always be
0:30:04 > 0:30:09# Blessed with love, oh oh
0:30:09 > 0:30:12# As the feeling grows
0:30:12 > 0:30:16# She breathes flesh to my bones
0:30:16 > 0:30:21# And when love is dead
0:30:21 > 0:30:25# I'm loving angels instead
0:30:25 > 0:30:31# And through it all she offers me protection
0:30:31 > 0:30:35# A lot of love and affection
0:30:35 > 0:30:38# Whether I'm right or wrong
0:30:38 > 0:30:45# And down the waterfall wherever it may take me
0:30:45 > 0:30:48# I know that life won't break me
0:30:48 > 0:30:55# When I come to call she won't forsake me
0:30:57 > 0:31:01# I'm loving angels instead
0:31:01 > 0:31:05# Oh, yeah
0:31:08 > 0:31:15# Whoa-oh-oh Oh-oh-oh
0:31:17 > 0:31:22# Yeah, yeah Oh-oh-oh
0:31:25 > 0:31:31# And through it all she offers me protection
0:31:31 > 0:31:34# A lot of love and affection
0:31:34 > 0:31:37# Whether I'm right or wrong
0:31:37 > 0:31:40# And down the waterfall
0:31:40 > 0:31:44# Wherever it may take me
0:31:44 > 0:31:47# I know that life won't break me
0:31:47 > 0:31:51# When I come to call
0:31:51 > 0:31:54# She won't forsake me
0:31:56 > 0:32:04# I'm loving angels instead
0:32:06 > 0:32:10# Oh-oh-oh-oh
0:32:11 > 0:32:15# Yeah. #
0:32:18 > 0:32:24APPLAUSE
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Jaz Ellington, ladies and gentlemen!
0:32:27 > 0:32:31Now, let's continue to put the "big" in The Big Sing.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33It's time to fire up the organ.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Ready to pull out the stops, it's Daniel Moult.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37APPLAUSE
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Reginald Heber wrote this next hymn for Trinity Sunday,
0:32:41 > 0:32:46the date in the church calendar with a special focus on Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48It's certainly stood the test of time,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51and the great English poet Alfred Lord Tennyson
0:32:51 > 0:32:54went so far as to describe it as the world's greatest hymn.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13APPLAUSE
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Well, where has the time gone?
0:35:15 > 0:35:17They do say it flies when you're having fun.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22We end this evening with a rousing and inspirational hymn of thanksgiving.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Clergyman Martin Rinckart wrote this enduring prayer
0:35:25 > 0:35:28nearly 400 years ago for his children to say before bedtime.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31It's a wonderful expression of praise and gratitude.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35From the Royal Albert Hall, from all of us in Songs Of Praise,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37thank you very much, and goodbye.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Next week, Diane-Louise Jordan visits the city of Chester
0:38:20 > 0:38:24for the stories behind their Mystery Plays production.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26She'll meet the man who plays God
0:38:26 > 0:38:29and see how hundreds of local people are involved.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31And there are much-loved hymns from around the UK
0:38:31 > 0:38:33which tell the Gospel story.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd