0:00:02 > 0:00:04ORCHESTRAL FANFARE
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- Hello!- And welcome to the Songs Of Praise Big Sing
0:00:18 > 0:00:19from the Royal Albert Hall,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22as we pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25our the longest-reigning monarch, as she celebrates her 90th birthday.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27We'll be marking the Queen's historic milestone
0:00:27 > 0:00:30with a feast of songs and hymns
0:00:30 > 0:00:34chosen from key moments in an illustrious 64-year reign,
0:00:34 > 0:00:36longer now than Queen Victoria's.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39And we have a wonderful line-up of special guests,
0:00:39 > 0:00:42including one of Britain's favourite singers, Lesley Garrett...
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Quizmaster and songster Alexander Armstrong.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Add to that a choir of 800, helped along by our 5,000-strong
0:00:49 > 0:00:51audience here, and the Big Sing Orchestra, too.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53That's why you're in for a real treat.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Our first piece of music was the only hymn sung by the entire
0:00:56 > 0:00:59congregation at Westminster Abbey during the Coronation service
0:00:59 > 0:01:03back in 1953, and it's still a firm favourite today.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51APPLAUSE
0:04:55 > 0:04:58What a fantastic opener!
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Of course, there was also a fanfare or two at the Queen's Coronation.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Her Majesty gave special permission to the BBC to film the ceremony,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08so that as many people as possible could witness it,
0:05:08 > 0:05:13and a staggering 27 million people in Britain tuned in. Wow.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16How did it feel to be part of that historic occasion?
0:05:16 > 0:05:17Well, we're about to find out.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Josie's with some very special guests.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Yes, with me are Dennis Whitehead and Richard Watts,
0:05:22 > 0:05:27who actually sang at the Coronation in Westminster Abbey in 1953.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30They were just young boy choristers back then.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32They're a little bit more mature now
0:05:32 > 0:05:34but I'm very glad that they're with us. Richard,
0:05:34 > 0:05:39now, you were nine years old. You were already an Abbey chorister.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- Yes, indeed.- What are your memories of the occasion?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Well, it was the sheer scale of the thing,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47because the Abbey was normally hosting to 2,000 people.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51This was suddenly scaled up to 8,000 people, and music all the way,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and colour and everything.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58It must have been fantastic, the pageantry, everything about it.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Dennis, what was the experience like for you? Were you nervous?
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- Were you emotional? - I was extremely emotional,
0:06:04 > 0:06:08especially at the beginning of the Parry, I Was Glad.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12When the organ and orchestra struck up, I knew the Queen had
0:06:12 > 0:06:16arrived, and I must admit, I didn't sing the first few notes.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18I had a lump in my throat.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Now, I can see you're both wearing medals.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22This is something you got on the day.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Well, we didn't actually get the medals on the day. At one time,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Coronation medals were given on the day. They were thrown out amongst
0:06:29 > 0:06:32the people in the congregation, and in Victorian times,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35that was stopped, so these were sent to us by Buck House,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Buckingham Palace, shall we say.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Thank you so much for sharing those wonderful memories.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43And now back to another former boy chorister. Aled?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45I think she's talking about me, anyway!
0:06:45 > 0:06:47I feel slightly underdressed, I really do.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51We can relive some of those memories now by hearing I Was Glad,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53being sung tonight by our Big Sing choir under
0:06:53 > 0:06:56the direction of conductor Paul Leddington Wright.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57APPLAUSE
0:11:57 > 0:11:59APPLAUSE
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Well, our next hymn was said to be
0:12:10 > 0:12:13one of the late Queen Mother's favourites.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15It was sung at her funeral in 2002.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19It was also chosen for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana,
0:12:19 > 0:12:20and Prince William and Catherine.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I even had it at mine - I love it so much.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Here to sing it for us, I'm delighted to say,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27is the marvellous Lesley Garrett.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30APPLAUSE
0:12:35 > 0:12:38So, the Queen of Opera is here to dedicate a song to the Queen.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- She's a remarkable woman, isn't she? - Oh, goodness.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Aled, I think, don't you agree,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47we must be the envy of the world to have this extraordinary woman,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50because it's been an extraordinary life, hasn't it?
0:12:50 > 0:12:54A life full of service and duty. But also inspirational to all of us.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- Absolutely.- The other thing is, you know, she's great fun.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00My favourite memory was when I sang for her
0:13:00 > 0:13:02during the Golden Jubilee year,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and I was presented to the Queen, and we went inside and had lunch,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07and I changed into my nice suit and I was presented again,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and then we all went to do a concert in the grounds,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13and I sang again and was presented again.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16And when I met her for the third time that day, she said,
0:13:16 > 0:13:20"My dear, might I say, you do have a rather large wardrobe."
0:13:20 > 0:13:21Do you know, I felt like saying,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23"Well, you know, you can talk, love!"
0:13:23 > 0:13:25But then I thought, no, keep that to myself.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- You didn't say that, did you? - I didn't say that, no.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- "Off to the Tower with her!" - Exactly.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- Ladies and gentlemen, it's Lesley Garrett!- Thank you.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36APPLAUSE
0:13:49 > 0:13:54# Guide me, O thou great Redeemer
0:13:54 > 0:14:00# Pilgrim through this barren land
0:14:00 > 0:14:06# I am weak but thou art mighty
0:14:06 > 0:14:12# Hold me with thy powerful hand
0:14:34 > 0:14:39# Open now the crystal fountain
0:14:39 > 0:14:45# Whence the healing stream doth flow
0:14:45 > 0:14:51# Let the fire and cloudy pillar
0:14:51 > 0:14:57# Lead me all my journey through
0:16:34 > 0:16:36CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:16:44 > 0:16:46The Queen is the Head of the Commonwealth
0:16:46 > 0:16:48and its greatest champion,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50and this next piece of music was written to reflect the spirit
0:16:50 > 0:16:53that binds the Commonwealth together,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56and our next guest performed it for the Queen in Her Majesty's
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Diamond Jubilee year, and she's here to sing it for us again today.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Please welcome Laura Wright.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05APPLAUSE
0:17:12 > 0:17:17# From Echo Bay to Kanye
0:17:17 > 0:17:22# Bartica to Bairiki
0:17:22 > 0:17:26# Flowing as one
0:17:26 > 0:17:31# Where any dream can live on
0:17:31 > 0:17:35# With old and with new
0:17:35 > 0:17:41# It is the voice that rings true
0:17:41 > 0:17:45# Oh-oh, calling us
0:17:45 > 0:17:50# Making us one
0:17:52 > 0:17:56# Heart and a soul
0:17:56 > 0:18:01# Shining as gold
0:18:01 > 0:18:05# Under one sun
0:18:05 > 0:18:12# We're stronger as one
0:18:16 > 0:18:21# Montego Bay to Savai'i
0:18:21 > 0:18:26# Sullum Voe to Kalahari
0:18:26 > 0:18:30# Oceans may part
0:18:30 > 0:18:35# But every river must start
0:18:35 > 0:18:39# In valley and hill
0:18:39 > 0:18:45# We are the people who will
0:18:45 > 0:18:53# Oh-oh, come now, joining as one
0:18:54 > 0:18:58# Heart and a soul
0:18:58 > 0:19:03# Shining as gold
0:19:03 > 0:19:07# Under one sun
0:19:07 > 0:19:13# We're stronger as one
0:19:19 > 0:19:23# In the rise and the fall
0:19:23 > 0:19:29# Of echoed words in great halls
0:19:29 > 0:19:32# Nations may dawn
0:19:32 > 0:19:37# But it is we who are born
0:19:37 > 0:19:42# All equal and free
0:19:42 > 0:19:47# With the power to see
0:19:47 > 0:19:55# Oh-oh, who among many has one
0:19:58 > 0:20:03# Heart and a soul
0:20:03 > 0:20:08# Shining as gold
0:20:08 > 0:20:11# Under one sun
0:20:11 > 0:20:17# We're stronger as one
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- # Heart and a soul - Heart and a soul
0:20:21 > 0:20:26- # Shining as gold - Shining as gold
0:20:26 > 0:20:30# Under one sun
0:20:30 > 0:20:35# We're stronger as one
0:20:35 > 0:20:39# Stronger
0:20:39 > 0:20:47# As one. #
0:20:49 > 0:20:51APPLAUSE
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Now, then, the Queen has always had close ties with
0:20:59 > 0:21:01and huge regard for our armed services,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05so we've put together a tri-forces band led by Corps Regimental
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Sergeant Major Gary Chilton to perform one of our best-loved hymns.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24# I vow to thee, my country
0:21:24 > 0:21:30# All earthly things above
0:21:30 > 0:21:35# Entire and whole and perfect
0:21:35 > 0:21:40# The service of my love
0:21:40 > 0:21:45# The love that asks no question
0:21:45 > 0:21:51# The love that stands the test
0:21:51 > 0:21:56# That lays upon the altar
0:21:56 > 0:22:02# The dearest and the best
0:22:02 > 0:22:07# The love that never falters
0:22:07 > 0:22:12# The love that pays the price
0:22:12 > 0:22:18# The love that makes undaunted
0:22:18 > 0:22:24# The final sacrifice
0:22:45 > 0:22:51# And there's another country
0:22:51 > 0:22:56# I've heard of long ago
0:22:56 > 0:23:02# Most dear to them that love her
0:23:02 > 0:23:07# Most great to them that know... #
0:24:08 > 0:24:10CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Well, wasn't that absolutely fantastic? Loved it.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Our next guest performer made his name as a comic artist
0:24:22 > 0:24:24and latterly as a quiz show host
0:24:24 > 0:24:27on the BBC's hugely popular show Pointless.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29He's also a very, very talented singer.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31It's Alexander Armstrong!
0:24:31 > 0:24:33CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:24:36 > 0:24:38What are you going to sing for us this evening?
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I'm going to sing this evening I Would Be True,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43to the tune of Londonderry Air, absolutely beautiful tune.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47Lots of different settings, there's obviously Oh, Danny Boy, very famous.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50And I think it enshrines a lot of the qualities of the Queen.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53And actually there's another little added harmonic to this as well,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57which is that it was performed at the funeral of the Princess of Wales,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00so I think it also just has a note...
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I think we can listen to it and remember the calm dignity
0:25:03 > 0:25:06with which we weathered those tough times.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Listen, we can't wait to hear it, can we? It's Alexander Armstrong.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27# I would be true
0:25:27 > 0:25:32# For there are those that trust me
0:25:32 > 0:25:35# I would be pure
0:25:35 > 0:25:41# For there are those that care
0:25:41 > 0:25:44# I would be strong
0:25:44 > 0:25:50# For there is much to suffer
0:25:50 > 0:25:53# I would be brave
0:25:53 > 0:25:59# For there is much to dare
0:26:04 > 0:26:09# I would be friend of all
0:26:09 > 0:26:13# The foe, the friendless
0:26:13 > 0:26:17# I would be giving
0:26:17 > 0:26:21# And forget the gift
0:26:23 > 0:26:27# I would be humble
0:26:27 > 0:26:32# For I know my weakness
0:26:32 > 0:26:36# I would look up
0:26:36 > 0:26:42# Laugh, love and live
0:27:16 > 0:27:19# Who is so low
0:27:19 > 0:27:24# That I am not his brother?
0:27:24 > 0:27:27# Who is so high
0:27:27 > 0:27:32# That I've no path to him?
0:27:32 > 0:27:36# Who is so poor
0:27:36 > 0:27:41# I may not feel his hunger?
0:27:41 > 0:27:44# Who is so rich
0:27:44 > 0:27:50# I may not pity him?
0:27:50 > 0:27:53# I would be true
0:27:53 > 0:27:59# For there are those that trust me
0:27:59 > 0:28:02# I would be pure
0:28:02 > 0:28:08# For there are those that care
0:28:08 > 0:28:11# I would be strong
0:28:11 > 0:28:18# For there is much to suffer
0:28:18 > 0:28:20# I would be brave
0:28:20 > 0:28:28# For there is much to dare
0:28:33 > 0:28:36# I would be brave
0:28:36 > 0:28:41# For there is much
0:28:41 > 0:28:46# To
0:28:46 > 0:28:53# Dare. #
0:29:15 > 0:29:17CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Thank you, Alexander Armstrong.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Well, our audience here at the Albert Hall certainly enjoyed that,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35and no-one more so than Colin Edwards.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Colin is a massive fan of the Royal Family,
0:29:37 > 0:29:40and he's met the Queen a staggering amount of times.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- How many times is it, Colin? - Oh, many, many times.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Probably at least 150 now.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48You must be old friends. How come you've met her so many times?
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Well, I've travelled all over this country and met her
0:29:51 > 0:29:54on walkabouts, and I have very brief conversations with her,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57and I always take photographs to present to her.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Does she recognise you sometimes?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Well, when you've met someone as often as I've met the Queen,
0:30:02 > 0:30:03yes, she definitely does.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07She's a very special lady. Thank you, Colin. Aled.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12Well, two other Royal fans, Andrew Lloyd Webber, now a Lord, of course,
0:30:12 > 0:30:13and Take That's Gary Barlow,
0:30:13 > 0:30:17composed Sing especially for the Diamond Jubilee back in 2012.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20And to perform it are the Adventist Vocal Ensemble,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23and our school choir winners, Ysgol Iau Llangennech,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25and Cantabile Girls Choir.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Let's sing!
0:30:26 > 0:30:28APPLAUSE
0:30:31 > 0:30:36# Some words, they can't be spoken
0:30:36 > 0:30:40# Only sung
0:30:42 > 0:30:47# So hear a thousand voices
0:30:47 > 0:30:52# Shouting love
0:30:53 > 0:30:57# There's a place, there's a time in this life
0:30:57 > 0:31:03# When you sing what you are feeling
0:31:04 > 0:31:07# Find your feet, stand your ground
0:31:07 > 0:31:11# Can't you see right now the world is listening
0:31:11 > 0:31:15# To what we say?
0:31:16 > 0:31:19# Sing it louder, sing it clearer
0:31:19 > 0:31:22# Knowing everyone will hear you
0:31:22 > 0:31:27# Make some noise, find your voice tonight
0:31:27 > 0:31:30# Sing it stronger, sing together
0:31:30 > 0:31:33# Make this moment last for ever
0:31:33 > 0:31:38# Old and young shouting love tonight
0:31:38 > 0:31:47# To sing we've had a lifetime to wait
0:31:47 > 0:31:49# Wait, wait, wait
0:31:49 > 0:31:57# And see a thousand faces celebrate
0:31:57 > 0:32:00# We have to celebrate
0:32:00 > 0:32:04# You brought hope, you brought life, conquered fear
0:32:04 > 0:32:09# No, it wasn't always easy
0:32:11 > 0:32:14# Stood your ground, kept your faith
0:32:14 > 0:32:18# Don't you see right now the world is listening
0:32:18 > 0:32:22# To what we say?
0:32:22 > 0:32:25# Sing it louder, sing it clearer
0:32:25 > 0:32:28# Knowing everyone will hear you
0:32:28 > 0:32:33# Make some noise, find your voice tonight
0:32:33 > 0:32:36# Sing it stronger, sing together
0:32:36 > 0:32:40# Make this moment last for ever
0:32:40 > 0:32:45# Old and young shouting love tonight
0:32:45 > 0:32:49# Some words, they can't be spoken
0:32:49 > 0:32:53# Only sung
0:32:55 > 0:33:00# To hear a thousand voices
0:33:00 > 0:33:06# Shouting love and life and hope
0:33:06 > 0:33:11# Just sing
0:33:11 > 0:33:17# Just sing
0:33:17 > 0:33:22# Just sing
0:33:22 > 0:33:29# Just sing
0:33:29 > 0:33:32# Sing it louder, sing it clearer
0:33:32 > 0:33:35# Knowing everyone will hear you
0:33:35 > 0:33:40# Make some noise, find your voice tonight
0:33:40 > 0:33:43# Sing it stronger, sing together
0:33:43 > 0:33:46# Make this moment last for ever
0:33:46 > 0:33:51# Old and young shouting love tonight
0:33:51 > 0:33:56# Hear a thousand voices
0:33:56 > 0:34:03# Shouting love. #
0:34:05 > 0:34:07CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:34:12 > 0:34:16Our next piece of music is a firm favourite in the Royal household.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19The Queen chose it as the processional hymn at her wedding
0:34:19 > 0:34:23in 1947, and once again, it's a hymn that's stood the test of time.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37APPLAUSE
0:36:40 > 0:36:44Well, that was absolutely wonderful, I think we raised the roof there,
0:36:44 > 0:36:47and hopefully we're about to do the same again,
0:36:47 > 0:36:51as we welcome back our special guests for our final piece of music.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:36:55 > 0:36:57And it has to be the National Anthem, of course,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00containing the words "long to reign over us".
0:37:00 > 0:37:04Never has that sentiment been more appropriate than today.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07So thank you so, so much for joining us for this year's Big Sing.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11- From us all here at the Royal Albert Hall, goodbye.- Goodbye.
0:37:41 > 0:37:47# God save our gracious Queen
0:37:47 > 0:37:53# Long live our noble Queen
0:37:53 > 0:37:59# God save the Queen
0:37:59 > 0:38:05# Send her victorious
0:38:05 > 0:38:11# Happy and glorious
0:38:11 > 0:38:18# Long to reign over us
0:38:18 > 0:38:29# God save the Queen. #
0:38:29 > 0:38:31APPLAUSE