0:00:09 > 0:00:10- Hello.- Hello.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Welcome to the Songs of Praise
0:00:12 > 0:00:15festive Big Sing from the Royal Albert Hall in London.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17With Christmas Day just around the corner,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20we'll be setting the scene with some of the best-loved carols
0:00:20 > 0:00:23and seasonal music, with the help of our special guests...
0:00:25 > 0:00:28The fabulous Ronan Keating...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31R&B legend, Ruby Turner.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35And quiz show host and singer, Alexander Armstrong.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Not forgetting a choir of 5,000 voices
0:00:39 > 0:00:41ready to sing their hearts out.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43What's first, Sally?
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Our first carol has been a favourite for generations,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49and yet still manages to capture the joy
0:00:49 > 0:00:52at the heart of the Christmas story.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:02:49 > 0:02:52What a way to begin our Christmas Big Sing.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Our first guest is a man of many talents.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59You may know him as one half of comic duo, Armstrong and Miller,
0:02:59 > 0:03:03or presenter of the prime-time BBC quiz show, Pointless.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Please welcome Alexander Armstrong.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08APPLAUSE
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- What a surprise to hear that you sing!- Yeah!
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- I've always sung.- Have you?
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Has it been a big part of your life then, music?
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Yeah, it has, actually. I was a choirboy from the age of seven,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25I was a chorister at St Mary's in Edinburgh
0:03:25 > 0:03:27and then I was a choral scholar
0:03:27 > 0:03:29right way through university as well.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- Then, what, comedy got in the way?- Comedy got in the way.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34No-one ever asked me to sing. I've always been doing it.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37I've been waiting all this time for somebody to ask me to sing.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39LAUGHTER
0:03:39 > 0:03:41It's a very honest thing to do, singing.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44You open yourself up in a way that, er,
0:03:44 > 0:03:48that comedy doesn't necessarily allow you to do.
0:03:48 > 0:03:49What are you going to sing for us?
0:03:49 > 0:03:51I'm going to sing In the Bleak Midwinter,
0:03:51 > 0:03:53there are two versions of this, it's quite confusing,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56cos the first line of each version is almost identical.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58There's a Holst version and there is a Harold Darke version,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00I'm going to do the Holst version.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- Well, let's hear it now. Thanks very much, Alexander.- Great pleasure.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05APPLAUSE
0:04:12 > 0:04:17# In the bleak mid-winter
0:04:17 > 0:04:21# Frosty wind made moan
0:04:23 > 0:04:28# Earth stood hard as iron
0:04:28 > 0:04:32# Water like a stone
0:04:34 > 0:04:37# Snow had fallen
0:04:37 > 0:04:40# Snow on snow
0:04:40 > 0:04:44# Snow on snow...
0:04:46 > 0:04:52# In the bleak mid-winter
0:04:52 > 0:04:57# Long ago...
0:04:59 > 0:05:06# Our God, Heav'n cannot hold him
0:05:06 > 0:05:10# Nor Earth sustain
0:05:12 > 0:05:18# Heaven and Earth shall flee away
0:05:18 > 0:05:22# When he comes to reign
0:05:25 > 0:05:30# In the bleak mid-winter
0:05:30 > 0:05:35# A stable place sufficed
0:05:35 > 0:05:42# The Lord God almighty
0:05:43 > 0:05:48# Jesus Christ
0:06:02 > 0:06:07# What can I give him
0:06:07 > 0:06:12# Poor as I am?
0:06:13 > 0:06:19# If I were a shepherd
0:06:19 > 0:06:23# I would bring a lamb
0:06:26 > 0:06:31# If I were a wise man
0:06:31 > 0:06:35# I would do my part
0:06:38 > 0:06:44# What can I give him?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47# Give...
0:06:47 > 0:06:51# My heart...
0:06:55 > 0:07:00# If I were a wise man
0:07:00 > 0:07:07# I would do my part
0:07:07 > 0:07:13# Yet what I can I give him...
0:07:13 > 0:07:15CHOIR: # I give him... #
0:07:21 > 0:07:25# Give...
0:07:28 > 0:07:34# My heart... #
0:07:46 > 0:07:50CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Alexander Armstrong!
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Now, here's a chance for everyone here and at home to join in,
0:08:02 > 0:08:08as we sing one of our most popular carols of praise and adoration.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02APPLAUSE
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Well, that was brilliant singing, wasn't it?
0:11:09 > 0:11:12It's time now to introduce our next guest.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14He's a talented singer-songwriter
0:11:14 > 0:11:18and star of the hugely successful musical, The Lion King.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20It's Shaun Escoffery!
0:11:20 > 0:11:22APPLAUSE
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Welcome, welcome to the Christmas Big Sing.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Are you looking forward to Christmas, what have you got planned?
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Oh, I love Christmas.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Um, just spending time with the family, you know,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35my two daughters and my family, my wife, and...
0:11:35 > 0:11:36I mean, my daughter's three,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40so it's kind of, you know, this is the age of enlightenment almost.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41She knows what Christmas is,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43you know, so really looking forward to it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Now, I have to ask you this, how did you...
0:11:45 > 0:11:46How did you get into singing
0:11:46 > 0:11:50cos you didn't automatically strive for it, did you?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53No, I was at college, I was studying architecture
0:11:53 > 0:11:58and a very good friend of mine, Idris Elba...
0:11:58 > 0:11:59- The actor? The actor? - The actor, yes.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01We all went to college together
0:12:01 > 0:12:03and we were sitting there in the canteen,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05it was kind of something like out of Fame, you know,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07everyone's kind of tapping on the tables and singing etc...
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- LAUGHTER - And I started to sing,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and he turned around and he said to me, "W-What course are you doing?"
0:12:13 > 0:12:16I said, "Oh, I'm doing building construction, architecture."
0:12:16 > 0:12:17He went, "No, mate!
0:12:17 > 0:12:20"You definitely should be getting into this business."
0:12:20 > 0:12:22And so, that was the kind of extra kind of push I needed
0:12:22 > 0:12:26to kind of, you know, start pursuing a career in singing.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- What are you singing for us? - Do You Hear What I Hear?
0:12:28 > 0:12:30And the reason why I picked this song
0:12:30 > 0:12:35was because it was a plea for peace in 1962
0:12:35 > 0:12:37during the Cuban missile crisis,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40and it's just such a wonderful, beautiful song, you know.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41So, yes, that's why I chose that song.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Ladies and gentlemen, Shaun Escoffery.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48APPLAUSE
0:12:53 > 0:12:55# Mmmm
0:13:00 > 0:13:02# Yeah, yeah
0:13:07 > 0:13:13# Said the night wind to the little lamb
0:13:13 > 0:13:17# Do you see what I see?
0:13:18 > 0:13:24# Way up in the sky, little lamb
0:13:24 > 0:13:28# Do you see what I see?
0:13:29 > 0:13:34# A star, a star Dancing in the night
0:13:34 > 0:13:39# With a tail as big as a kite
0:13:39 > 0:13:45# With a tail as big as a kite
0:13:46 > 0:13:49# Whoa, yeah
0:13:52 > 0:13:59# Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- # Do you hear what I hear? - CHOIR: Do you hear what I hear?
0:14:03 > 0:14:09# Ringing through the sky Shepherd boy
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- # Do you hear what I hear? - Do you hear what I hear?
0:14:14 > 0:14:19# A song, a song High above the trees
0:14:19 > 0:14:24# With a voice as big as the sea
0:14:24 > 0:14:31# With a voice as big as the sea
0:14:33 > 0:14:36# Whoa-oooh-oooh, yeah
0:14:38 > 0:14:43# Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- # Do you know what I know? - Do you know what I know?
0:14:49 > 0:14:54# In your palace warm, mighty king
0:14:55 > 0:15:00- # Do you know what I know? - Do you know what I know?
0:15:00 > 0:15:05# A child, a child Shivers in the cold
0:15:05 > 0:15:10# Let us bring him silver and gold
0:15:10 > 0:15:19# Let us bring him silver and gold
0:15:20 > 0:15:25# Whoa-oooh-oooh, yeah
0:15:25 > 0:15:30# Said the mighty king to people everywhere
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- # Listen to what I say - Listen to what I say
0:15:35 > 0:15:41# Pray for peace, people everywhere
0:15:41 > 0:15:47- # Listen to what I say - Listen to what I say
0:15:47 > 0:15:52# The child, the child Sleeping in the night
0:15:52 > 0:15:56# He will bring us goodness and light
0:15:56 > 0:16:02# He will bring us goodne-e-e-e-e-ess
0:16:02 > 0:16:07# And li-i-i-i-i-ight
0:16:07 > 0:16:08# Yes, he will
0:16:08 > 0:16:13# Yes, he will Goodness
0:16:13 > 0:16:16# And light
0:16:16 > 0:16:21# Oh, yes, he will
0:16:21 > 0:16:23# Goodness
0:16:23 > 0:16:33# And light. #
0:16:34 > 0:16:37CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- Paul Leddington Wright... - CHUCKLES:- I can do his job!
0:16:49 > 0:16:51The inspiration for our next carol
0:16:51 > 0:16:56came from a carol service in 1865, in Bethlehem,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59when the writer Phillip Brooks was inspired to write the words
0:16:59 > 0:17:03that 40 years later were set to the now famous tune.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05Please stand...
0:17:12 > 0:17:15LAUGHTER
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- AUDIENCE:- Aww!
0:19:53 > 0:19:56APPLAUSE
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Now, you are in for a real treat next
0:20:00 > 0:20:04from soul and R&B legend Ruby Turner
0:20:04 > 0:20:07and the 2015 Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10APPLAUSE
0:20:13 > 0:20:17They are here to sing a brand-new Big Sing arrangement
0:20:17 > 0:20:22of a French carol, which is now a firm favourite here in the UK.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34# O holy night
0:20:34 > 0:20:39# The stars are brightly shining
0:20:39 > 0:20:45# It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth
0:20:47 > 0:20:51# Long lay the world
0:20:51 > 0:20:56# In sin and error pining
0:20:56 > 0:21:04# 'Til he appears and the souls felt his worth
0:21:05 > 0:21:09# A thrill of hope
0:21:09 > 0:21:13# The weary world rejoices
0:21:13 > 0:21:17# For yonder breaks
0:21:17 > 0:21:21# A new and glorious morn
0:21:21 > 0:21:29# Fall on your knees
0:21:29 > 0:21:36# O hear the angel voices
0:21:36 > 0:21:44# O night divine!
0:21:44 > 0:21:52# O night when Christ was born
0:21:53 > 0:22:01# O night divine, oh!
0:22:01 > 0:22:09# O night when Christ was born
0:22:10 > 0:22:14# Truly he taught us
0:22:14 > 0:22:19# To love one another
0:22:19 > 0:22:21# His law is love
0:22:21 > 0:22:29# And his gospel is peace
0:22:29 > 0:22:31# Chains shall he break
0:22:32 > 0:22:38# For the slave is our brother
0:22:38 > 0:22:40# And in his name
0:22:40 > 0:22:47# All oppression shall cease
0:22:47 > 0:22:51# The thrill of hope
0:22:51 > 0:22:55# The weary world rejoices
0:22:55 > 0:22:59# For yonder breaks
0:22:59 > 0:23:04# A new and glorious morn, oh
0:23:04 > 0:23:12# Fall on your knees
0:23:12 > 0:23:20# O hear the angels' voices
0:23:20 > 0:23:29- # O night divine! - O night divine!
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- # O night - O night
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- # When Christ was born - When Christ was born
0:23:36 > 0:23:44# O night devine!
0:23:44 > 0:23:49# O holy night
0:23:49 > 0:23:54- # When Christ was born - O holy night
0:23:56 > 0:23:58# O holy night
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- # O holy night - O holy night
0:24:02 > 0:24:09# When Christ was born. #
0:24:09 > 0:24:13CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:24:14 > 0:24:16The sound of Christmas from Ruby Turner
0:24:16 > 0:24:19and the Birmingham Community Gospel Choir.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Our next piece of music is designed to get everyone joining in.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It's one of our most uplifting carols,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31just bursting with energy and joy.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14APPLAUSE
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Well, wasn't that wonderful?
0:26:20 > 0:26:25It's time now to introduce our Junior School Choir of the Year -
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Ysgol Iau Llangennech.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Well, I'm surprised that all your heads aren't twice the size they are,
0:26:31 > 0:26:34has it changed the choir any, has it been any different?
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Um, no, I don't think so.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40We're still the choir who just still enjoys to sing.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Yeah, well, we've got Christmas coming up in just a few days,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45what are you looking forward to most?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48I'm most looking forward about seeing my family
0:26:48 > 0:26:50and spending quality time with them...
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Oh! LAUGHTER
0:26:52 > 0:26:56..and sp... Celebrating the birth of baby Jesus.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00Thank you very much. Quality time with her family, eh, how about that?
0:27:00 > 0:27:04So, now we're going to hear The Baby's Day.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09It's Gwyl y Baban, here's Ysgol Iau Llangennech.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12APPLAUSE
0:27:22 > 0:27:29TRANSLATION:
0:29:38 > 0:29:46# TRANSLATION: Come together and cheer
0:29:46 > 0:30:02# As one, hallelujah. #
0:30:02 > 0:30:04CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:30:08 > 0:30:09Weren't they wonderful?
0:30:09 > 0:30:13The Songs of Praise Junior School Choir of the Year.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Our final star guest
0:30:15 > 0:30:19was lead singer with legendary boy band Boyzone in the '90s,
0:30:19 > 0:30:24before going solo and selling over 20 million records worldwide.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28We're delighted to have him with us today, it's Ronan Keating.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31APPLAUSE
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- Good to see you.- Great to have you.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Yes, good to be here, thank you.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Now, you're going to sing Silent Night, why did you choose that song?
0:30:40 > 0:30:42For me, Silent Night is the...
0:30:42 > 0:30:44It's the perfect Christmas song, it's just...
0:30:44 > 0:30:47It's a simply, classical, beautiful song.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49So, I just thought, "Yeah..."
0:30:49 > 0:30:52To get this opportunity to perform with the choir, with the orchestra
0:30:52 > 0:30:54in the magnificent Albert Hall,
0:30:54 > 0:30:56I thought, "Yeah, that'd be special."
0:30:56 > 0:30:59Well, we can't wait to hear it. Ladies and gentlemen, Ronan Keating.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Thank you very much, thank you. Thank you.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04APPLAUSE
0:31:20 > 0:31:24# Silent night
0:31:25 > 0:31:28# Holy night
0:31:29 > 0:31:34# All is calm
0:31:34 > 0:31:38# All is bright
0:31:38 > 0:31:47# Round yon virgin mother and child
0:31:47 > 0:31:55# Holy infant so tender and mild
0:31:55 > 0:32:05# Sleep in heavenly peace
0:32:05 > 0:32:12# Sleep in heavenly peace
0:32:19 > 0:32:23# Silent night
0:32:24 > 0:32:28# Holy night
0:32:28 > 0:32:32# Shepherds quake
0:32:32 > 0:32:36# At the sight
0:32:36 > 0:32:44# Glories stream from heaven afar
0:32:45 > 0:32:54# Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah
0:32:54 > 0:33:03# Christ the saviour is born
0:33:03 > 0:33:10# Christ the saviour is born
0:33:17 > 0:33:21# Silent night
0:33:22 > 0:33:25# Holy night
0:33:27 > 0:33:31# Son of God
0:33:31 > 0:33:35# Love's pure light
0:33:35 > 0:33:43# Radiant beams from thy holy face
0:33:44 > 0:33:51# With the dawn of redeeming grace
0:33:52 > 0:34:02# Jesus the saviour is born
0:34:04 > 0:34:13# Jesus the saviour is born. #
0:34:27 > 0:34:30CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Thank you.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35Ronan Keating.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Well, thank you... Thank you to Ronan and to the other star guests.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Thank you to our singers and musicians
0:34:42 > 0:34:46who have made this year's Christmas Big Sing so very special.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Yes, it's been wonderful and we do hope that you've enjoyed it at home.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53It's time now for our final carol and what a carol.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56It's such a seasonal favourite that it's difficult to imagine
0:34:56 > 0:34:58Christmas without it.
0:34:58 > 0:35:04So, let's raise our voices and sing Hark The Herald Angels Sing.
0:35:04 > 0:35:05- BOTH:- Happy Christmas.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24APPLAUSE
0:38:59 > 0:39:01CHEERING