0:00:04 > 0:00:07It's New Year's Day, and it's the Songs of Praise Big Sing.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Our special guest stars
0:00:10 > 0:00:13are the fabulous Alexandra Burke and singer-songwriter Katie Melua.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16We welcome our Senior School Choir of the Year,
0:00:16 > 0:00:21the Edinburgh Academy, who, in their first ever visit to the Royal Albert Hall,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24will sing again one of the hymns that made them winners.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26And, of course, there are hymns a-plenty, old and new,
0:00:26 > 0:00:30now that we've rung out the old year and rung in the new.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33ORCHESTRA PLAYS THEME TUNE
0:00:46 > 0:00:48APPLAUSE
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Hello, and a warm welcome to the magnificent Royal Albert Hall,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04and a very Happy New Year to all of you here.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:10 > 0:01:12And, of course, a Happy New Year to you, wherever you are.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Are you ready to sing, ladies and gentlemen?
0:01:14 > 0:01:16ALL: Yes!
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Works every time, you know!
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Of course, the New Year is a time when we like to look forward,
0:01:20 > 0:01:24turn over a new leaf perhaps and make some resolutions.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Mine was to feel less nervous in crowds.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- LAUGHTER - Great place to start.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33As we begin 2012, our first hymn is in praise to God
0:01:33 > 0:01:37for his faithfulness, his provision and his protection.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07APPLAUSE
0:04:10 > 0:04:14You're in wonderful voice, and I hope you enjoyed singing along too.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18That's why it's called The Big Sing - now you know.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Our first star guest has a certain X Factor.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23She managed to wow those tricky judges - no mean feat.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Her winning song, Hallelujah,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29became the biggest selling hit in the UK by a female artist ever.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34Please give a Big Sing welcome to Alexandra Burke.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36APPLAUSE
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- Two kisses, as it's New Year. - SHE LAUGHS
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Everyone here wants to know - what's it like winning X Factor?
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Eh, words kind of cannot describe.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58It was a really big shock cos I never thought for a second that I'd win.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02But it definitely was the best thing to ever happen to my life.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05And I am truly grateful for those who voted for me
0:05:05 > 0:05:09cos it's such a hard show to be on. But it was so much fun.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14- When you're on stage performing, do you feel like God's looking down on you?- I always feel his spirit.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19I mean, I've always been brought up with God in my life. I always pray before I go and take to the stage.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23And I've got this rule where, if I don't pray, I won't get on stage.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24That's just my routine.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27It calms me down and I think it's always important.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- What are you going to sing for us now?- I'm going to sing Hallelujah.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- Looking forward to it, ladies and gentlemen? - CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- Alexandra Burke!- Thank you.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51# I heard there was a secret chord
0:05:51 > 0:05:53# That David played
0:05:53 > 0:05:55# And it pleased the Lord
0:05:55 > 0:06:02# But you don't really care for music, do ya?
0:06:02 > 0:06:07# Well, it goes like this The fourth, the fifth
0:06:07 > 0:06:10# The minor fall and the major lift
0:06:10 > 0:06:17# The baffled king composing hallelujah
0:06:17 > 0:06:21# Hallelujah
0:06:21 > 0:06:26# Hallelujah
0:06:26 > 0:06:29# Hallelujah
0:06:29 > 0:06:36# Hallelu-u-jah
0:06:42 > 0:06:46# Your faith was strong But you needed proof
0:06:46 > 0:06:50# You saw her bathing on the roof
0:06:50 > 0:06:58# Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
0:06:58 > 0:07:02# She tied you to her kitchen chair
0:07:02 > 0:07:06# She broke your throne And she cut your hair
0:07:06 > 0:07:13# And from your lips she drew the hallelujah
0:07:13 > 0:07:17# Hallelujah
0:07:17 > 0:07:21# Hallelujah
0:07:21 > 0:07:25# Hallelujah
0:07:25 > 0:07:33# Hallelu-u-jah
0:07:47 > 0:07:50# Maybe there's a God above
0:07:50 > 0:07:54# But all I've ever learned from love
0:07:54 > 0:08:02# Is how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
0:08:02 > 0:08:06# It's not a cry that you hear at night
0:08:06 > 0:08:10# It's not someone who's seen the light
0:08:10 > 0:08:17# It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah
0:08:17 > 0:08:22# Hallelujah
0:08:22 > 0:08:26# Hallelujah
0:08:26 > 0:08:29# Hallelujah
0:08:29 > 0:08:35# Hallelu-u
0:08:35 > 0:08:38# Hallelujah
0:08:38 > 0:08:40# Hallelujah
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- # Oh-oh - Hallelujah
0:08:44 > 0:08:47# Hallelujah
0:08:47 > 0:08:56# Hallelu-u-jah
0:08:58 > 0:09:03# Hallelujah
0:09:03 > 0:09:14# Hallelu-u-jah. #
0:09:16 > 0:09:18CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Thank you.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- Hallelujah for Alexandra Burke! - APPLAUSE
0:09:26 > 0:09:31Time to sing together again. Our next hymn was written by Thomas Obadiah Chisholm,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35who was so inspired and moved by a poem written by his friend, William Runyan,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39that he decided to compose a musical score to accompany its words.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43It's a favourite amongst many. It is Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07APPLAUSE
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Last week, for our Christmas Big Sing, Welsh junior school Pen Barras
0:12:14 > 0:12:20demonstrated why they received the title Junior School Choir of the Year. I thought they were brilliant.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Well, as it's New Year's Day, it's appropriate that we have our Senior School Choir of the Year.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27From Scotland, you're about to be amazed.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Singing Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer,
0:12:29 > 0:12:34please give a warm welcome to the choir from Edinburgh Academy.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36APPLAUSE
0:12:36 > 0:12:41# Gui-i-ide
0:12:41 > 0:12:46# Gui-i-ide
0:12:46 > 0:12:48# Gui-i-ide
0:12:48 > 0:12:50# Gui-i-ide
0:12:50 > 0:12:52# Gui-i-ide
0:12:52 > 0:12:56# Gui-i-ide me
0:12:59 > 0:13:04# Guide me, O thou great redeemer
0:13:04 > 0:13:09# Pilgrim through this barren land
0:13:09 > 0:13:11# I am weak
0:13:11 > 0:13:14# But thou art mighty
0:13:14 > 0:13:19# Hold me with thy powerful hand
0:13:19 > 0:13:24# Bread of Heaven, bread of Heaven
0:13:24 > 0:13:31- # Feed me till I want no more - Want no more
0:13:31 > 0:13:36# Feed me till I want no more
0:13:39 > 0:13:44# Open now the crystal fountain
0:13:44 > 0:13:49# Whence the healing stream doth flow
0:13:49 > 0:13:53# Let the fire and cloudy pillar
0:13:53 > 0:13:58# Lead me all my journey through
0:13:58 > 0:14:01# Strong deliverer
0:14:01 > 0:14:04# Strong deliverer
0:14:04 > 0:14:07# Be thou still my strength and shield
0:14:07 > 0:14:10# Strength and shield
0:14:11 > 0:14:17# Be thou still my strength and shield
0:14:19 > 0:14:24# When I tread the verge of Jordan
0:14:24 > 0:14:29# Bid my anxious fears subside
0:14:29 > 0:14:34# Death of death and Hell's destruction
0:14:34 > 0:14:39# Land me safe on Canaan's side
0:14:39 > 0:14:44# Songs of praises, songs of praises
0:14:44 > 0:14:51- # I will ever give to thee - Give to thee
0:14:52 > 0:15:00# I will ever give to thee. #
0:15:00 > 0:15:02APPLAUSE
0:15:10 > 0:15:13And there's me thinking only the Welsh could sing that hymn.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Well, the Scots clearly can do it, too!
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Absolutely you just put me in my place!
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Have you enjoyed this weekend?
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Yeah. If someone told us a year ago we'd be singing in the Albert Hall,
0:15:24 > 0:15:26none of us would have believed it.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29You're enjoying your singing. Do you want to carry on in the future?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Absolutely. I mean, we all love singing, clearly,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34but being in a school choir,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38we're always going to keep up.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- You must be very proud of them. - I'm delighted.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44I couldn't have predicted what's happened over the last year with this choir.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46It's just been superb from start to finish.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Well, they deserve all the praise they get.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Ladies and gentlemen, Edinburgh Academy!
0:15:51 > 0:15:52APPLAUSE
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Our next hymn has a beautiful Celtic melody.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00It's a hymn derived from an eighth-century Irish folk song.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02On this first day of the New Year, it reminds us
0:16:02 > 0:16:05what is worth striving for in life.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07It's the wonderful hymn, Be Thou My Vision.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10APPLAUSE
0:19:13 > 0:19:16It's time now for our next star guest.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20During her career, she's already played on stage for Nelson Mandela,
0:19:20 > 0:19:21with the band, Queen,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24dined at Buckingham Palace with the real Queen,
0:19:24 > 0:19:25walked the great Wall of China
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and performed at the bottom of the North Sea.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32She's never at home! Please join me in welcoming Katie Melua!
0:19:32 > 0:19:33APPLAUSE
0:19:40 > 0:19:43How are you? Happy New Year.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44Happy New Year to you, too.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47What's all this about this gig at the bottom of the sea?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Well, I got the phone call, and I said yes.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52And I like the thought of doing gigs in strange places!
0:19:52 > 0:19:55And that's a strange place!
0:19:55 > 0:19:57It was indeed, yes.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58What are you going to sing for us?
0:19:58 > 0:20:01I'm going to sing a gorgeous song written by Ron Sexsmith,
0:20:01 > 0:20:06called Gold In Them Hills, and it's from my current album, which is called The Secret Symphony.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08It's got a New Year message, hasn't it?
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Yes, it's got a hopeful message, and the lyrics are beautiful.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14When I first heard it, I fell in love with it completely.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Ladies and gentlemen, the lovely Katie Melua.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19APPLAUSE
0:20:32 > 0:20:36# I know it doesn't seem that way
0:20:37 > 0:20:42# But maybe it's the perfect day
0:20:42 > 0:20:47# Even though the bills are piling
0:20:47 > 0:20:53# Maybe Lady Luck ain't smiling
0:20:57 > 0:21:02# But if we only open our eyes
0:21:03 > 0:21:07# We'd see the blessings in disguise
0:21:07 > 0:21:12# That all the rain clouds are fountains
0:21:12 > 0:21:19# Though our troubles seem like mountains
0:21:19 > 0:21:24# There's gold in them hills
0:21:24 > 0:21:29# There's gold in them hills
0:21:29 > 0:21:33# So don't lose heart
0:21:34 > 0:21:39# Give the day a chance to start
0:21:49 > 0:21:54# Every now and then life says
0:21:55 > 0:21:59# Where d'you think you're going so fast?
0:21:59 > 0:22:05# We're apt to think it's cruel, but sometimes
0:22:05 > 0:22:14# It's a case of cruel to be kind
0:22:15 > 0:22:19# And if we get up off our knees
0:22:21 > 0:22:26# Why, then, we'd see the forest for the trees
0:22:26 > 0:22:31# And we'd see the new sun rising
0:22:31 > 0:22:36# Over the hills and horizon
0:22:38 > 0:22:41# There's gold in them hills
0:22:42 > 0:22:47# There's gold in them hills
0:22:48 > 0:22:51# So don't lose faith
0:22:52 > 0:22:57# Give the world a chance to say
0:22:59 > 0:23:03# A word or two, my friend
0:23:04 > 0:23:10# There's no telling how the day might end
0:23:10 > 0:23:20# We'll never know until we see that
0:23:20 > 0:23:24# There's gold in them hills
0:23:26 > 0:23:30# There's gold in them hills
0:23:31 > 0:23:36# So don't lose heart
0:23:36 > 0:23:42# Give the day a chance to start
0:23:47 > 0:23:53# There's gold in them hills
0:23:53 > 0:24:01# There's gold in them hills #
0:24:08 > 0:24:09APPLAUSE
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Ladies and gentlemen, Katie Melua!
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Our next hymn is a personal favourite.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Written just 10 years ago by Stuart Townend,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28it has a marvellous, evocative melody that I really just love.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It's become one of the most popular contemporary hymns.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33It is In Christ Alone.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23APPLAUSE
0:28:26 > 0:28:28That's why I love that song.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31That was utterly fantastic, ladies and gentlemen.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35Time for a change of musical style, as we welcome back to the stage,
0:28:35 > 0:28:38singing Can't Give up Now, it's Alexandra Burke!
0:28:38 > 0:28:39APPLAUSE
0:28:47 > 0:28:51# Ooh, now
0:28:51 > 0:28:54# Hold on, yeah
0:28:56 > 0:29:02# There will be mountains that I will have to climb
0:29:02 > 0:29:07# And there will be battles
0:29:07 > 0:29:11# That I will have to fight
0:29:11 > 0:29:14# Victory or defeat
0:29:14 > 0:29:19# It's up to me to decide
0:29:19 > 0:29:23# But how can I expect to win
0:29:23 > 0:29:28# If I never try?
0:29:28 > 0:29:35# I just can't give up now
0:29:35 > 0:29:43# I've come too far from where I started from
0:29:43 > 0:29:45# Nobody told me
0:29:45 > 0:29:49# The road would be easy
0:29:49 > 0:29:52# And I don't believe
0:29:52 > 0:29:56# He brought me this far to leave me
0:29:58 > 0:30:01# Never said there wouldn't be trials
0:30:01 > 0:30:05# Never said I wouldn't fall
0:30:05 > 0:30:10# Never said that everything would go
0:30:10 > 0:30:13# The way I want it to go
0:30:13 > 0:30:17# But when my back's against the wall
0:30:17 > 0:30:21# And I feel all hope is gone
0:30:21 > 0:30:25# I just lift my head up to the sky
0:30:25 > 0:30:28# And say, "Help me to be strong"
0:30:28 > 0:30:30# Ooohh oh
0:30:30 > 0:30:38# I just can't give up now
0:30:38 > 0:30:44- # Come too far.. - # From where I started from - ..from where I started from
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- # So nobody told me - # Nobody told me
0:30:48 > 0:30:52- # That the road would... - # The road would be easy
0:30:52 > 0:30:56# And I don't believe he brought me this far
0:30:56 > 0:30:59# To leave me
0:31:00 > 0:31:04- # I know you didn't bring me - # No, no, no
0:31:04 > 0:31:08- # Out here to leave me lonely - # Oooohh
0:31:08 > 0:31:12# Even when I can't see clearly
0:31:12 > 0:31:15# I know that you are with me
0:31:15 > 0:31:23- # So I can't - # I just can't give up now
0:31:23 > 0:31:26# Said I've come too far
0:31:26 > 0:31:31- # Come too far from where I started from - # From where I started from, yeah
0:31:31 > 0:31:38- # So nobody told me that the road would - # Oooh ooh ooh ooh
0:31:38 > 0:31:45# And I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me
0:31:45 > 0:31:47# Hey ey eh
0:31:49 > 0:31:57# I just can't give up now
0:31:57 > 0:32:05# I've come too far from where I started from
0:32:05 > 0:32:11# Nobody told me the road would be easy
0:32:11 > 0:32:16# And I don't believe he brought me this far
0:32:16 > 0:32:18# To leave me
0:32:20 > 0:32:27- # Oooh ooh ooh ooh - # Nobody told me the road would be easy
0:32:27 > 0:32:32# And I don't believe he brought me this far
0:32:32 > 0:32:35# To leave me
0:32:35 > 0:32:40# And I don't believe he brought me this far
0:32:40 > 0:32:43# To leave me
0:32:43 > 0:32:50# And I don't believe
0:32:50 > 0:32:54# He brought me this far
0:32:54 > 0:32:59# To leave me
0:33:02 > 0:33:04APPLAUSE
0:33:07 > 0:33:09Alexandra Burke, ladies and gentlemen.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Thank you.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Let's pull out all the stops now for our final hymn.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17And though it's usually sung at Easter with its triumphant message,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20there's no reason at all why we can't sing it now.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22After all, as we begin a new year,
0:33:22 > 0:33:24we could all do with a generous helping of hope.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26It's the classic, Thine Be The Glory.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49APPLAUSE
0:35:51 > 0:35:55That's nearly it for this New Year Big Sing.
0:35:55 > 0:35:56Thanks to all our guests,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59the Edinburgh Academy, Alexandra Burke and Katie Melua.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02There's just time to squeeze in one more song.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05In fact you probably sang it last night.
0:36:05 > 0:36:06Once the piper strikes up,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09you'll know exactly the song I'm talking about.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11From all of us here on Songs Of Praise,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14we wish you a very happy New Year.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16BAGPIPES PLAY
0:38:08 > 0:38:12CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:38:12 > 0:38:16ORCHESTRA PLAYS THEME MUSIC
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Next week another fine collection of rousing hymns
0:38:24 > 0:38:28and Dan Walker looks ahead to the major events of 2012
0:38:28 > 0:38:30destined for the history books
0:38:30 > 0:38:34as he discovers what it was like to be a chorister at the Queen's coronation
0:38:34 > 0:38:37and catches up with Lord Coe at the Olympic Park.