0:00:03 > 0:00:05TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Hello, there. Welcome to Londonderry for a Songs of Praise
0:00:10 > 0:00:13full of music, singing and story telling.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17This week, the streets are awash with Irish traditional music
0:00:17 > 0:00:21and dancing, as the world's largest gathering of Irish culture,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24otherwise known as the All-Ireland Fleadh,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26comes to the UK City of Culture.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32This week, a cathedral prepares for the Columba Canticles,
0:00:32 > 0:00:36music from one of the City of Culture's ambassadors, Margaret Keys,
0:00:36 > 0:00:38and from our Junior School Choir of The Year,
0:00:38 > 0:00:42and the wonderful hymns of praise from the city's Guildhall.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I am delighted to announce that the winner of the competition
0:00:54 > 0:00:58to become the third UK capital of culture is Derry-Londonderry.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00The news was met with huge celebrations
0:01:00 > 0:01:02at the city's Guildhall.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05That was back in 2010 and three years on,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08the excitement has become a reality.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11# All kinds of everything...#
0:01:11 > 0:01:14The former military barracks at Ebrington Square
0:01:14 > 0:01:18has been transformed into one of the city's most exciting venues.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Churches, cathedrals and the City Council's Guildhall
0:01:22 > 0:01:26have all opened their doors to a variety of cultural events.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28And with the number of visitors on the up,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31there is real hope of a lasting legacy.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35And it's in the historic Guildhall building behind me,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38where our choirs and congregation from the Derry-Londonderry area
0:01:38 > 0:01:40have come together to sing our first hymn.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17# Your people shall be my people
0:04:17 > 0:04:22# And your God shall be my God...#
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Street theatre and performance
0:04:24 > 0:04:26have been a huge part of the City of Culture celebrations
0:04:26 > 0:04:30and one of the largest events this year welcomed the return
0:04:30 > 0:04:32of the city's founder saint, Columba,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34or Colm Cille, as he is also known.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Back in the year 563, Colm Cille left these shores
0:04:40 > 0:04:41for Iona in Scotland,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45after taking part in a disastrous battle where many died.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48But he is still remembered in Derry as a poet,
0:04:48 > 0:04:53an artist and as the patron saint of this city.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54The writer Frank Cottrell Boyce,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56who helped shape the remarkable opening ceremony
0:04:56 > 0:04:59for the Olympic Games last summer,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02jumped at the chance to help create a spectacular performance
0:05:02 > 0:05:05for the City of Culture, based on their famous son.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10I just love Derry and also, it's got this great story
0:05:10 > 0:05:13that it was founded by this great St Columba, or Colm Cille,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16who had this huge influence all over the world.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18He's part of the tradition that created the Book of Kells,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20which is one of the most beautiful things ever.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24He is the kind of light that lit up the end of the Dark Ages
0:05:24 > 0:05:26and turned it into an age of light.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31A currach travelled from Iona in Scotland, mirroring the journey
0:05:31 > 0:05:34that Colm Cille and his supporters made almost 1,500 years ago.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39The monks brought with them a gift for the people of Derry.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41When the mysterious crate was opened,
0:05:41 > 0:05:46it revealed a map for a new city that would be called Colmville.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50We had this huge thurible with incense
0:05:50 > 0:05:52swinging in the Guildhall Square.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56And those smells have such powerful resonance for anyone
0:05:56 > 0:05:59who's grown up like that, you know?
0:06:01 > 0:06:06We've put different performances, short performances all over the city.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08The attractive thing to me about the whole thing
0:06:08 > 0:06:11was the participation of local people.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16I'm sort of a catalyst, but this is Derry speaking for Derry.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18In a city that has been quite divided,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20what is good about Colm Cille is that he predates that trouble,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22so he belongs firmly to both traditions,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26and there's some common ground there that we can celebrate.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30What makes Colm Cille really remarkable
0:06:30 > 0:06:33is that he's this terribly flawed individual.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38In anger, he created this terrible battle where loads of people died.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41He was nearly excommunicated and he went off into exile
0:06:41 > 0:06:43to try and make it good.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46And that idea that you can do something beautiful and brilliant
0:06:46 > 0:06:48after you have made a terrible mess,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50is such a hopeful message and such a human message as well.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55The climax of the weekend was a monstrous showdown
0:06:55 > 0:06:57with the battle between good and evil.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Legend has it that St Colm Cille
0:06:59 > 0:07:03confronted an angry and menacing Loch Ness monster
0:07:03 > 0:07:06whilst crossing the River Ness in Scotland.
0:07:10 > 0:07:17Calm as summer, he did nothing but make the sign of the cross.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20He made the sign of our saviour there in the air.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23The monster despaired.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26It sank back into the waters.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29It slunk away off to the loch.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31It hid itself away in the deep.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35They say that hellish thing,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39it could not breathe the air he blessed.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Even our beloved Derry of the oak groves,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46which is white with angels, will stand with you.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Derry will stand all round you, Colm Cille.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Derry will be your shield.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59For me, the legacy of this will be
0:07:59 > 0:08:02all the new friendships that have been formed.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04And the other legacy I would really love is that people
0:08:04 > 0:08:08recover their pride in Colm Cille and realise what a gigantic figure he is.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11He's hugely celebrated here but not celebrated enough, you know.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09One of the musical highlights this year was the Music City event,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13which brought musicians, singers and songwriters onto the streets
0:11:13 > 0:11:17and into the air, for a one-day celebration of music.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20ALL SING DANNY BOY
0:11:21 > 0:11:24They also marked the 100th anniversary of Danny Boy,
0:11:24 > 0:11:28a song so strongly associated with the city.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30# Oh, Danny boy...#
0:11:30 > 0:11:32But Derry's historical connections to music
0:11:32 > 0:11:35and songwriting go back even further than that.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43The writer of our next hymn lived here back in 1867
0:11:43 > 0:11:46with her husband, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander penned over 400 hymns
0:11:50 > 0:11:54and wrote the much-loved All Things Bright And Beautiful.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57She did it to help children understand the opening lines
0:11:57 > 0:12:00of the Apostles Creed:
0:12:00 > 0:12:02"I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05"creator of heaven and earth."
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Now, the really exciting thing about the City of Culture is that
0:14:30 > 0:14:34people from all parts of the city have had an opportunity to be
0:14:34 > 0:14:37involved one way or the other. Now, have a look at this.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40What you are looking at there is a massive quilt.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43This was knitted and crocheted by hundreds of women
0:14:43 > 0:14:46and children from various groups and backgrounds.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47What it does is,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51it records their memories of living in this very city.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Further along the street in the Cathedral Quarter,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58as it is known, is the London Street Gallery.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00As part of the City of Culture programme, they have
0:15:00 > 0:15:05commissioned a unique icon, as part of its current exhibition.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10The Fount of Life is almost exclusive in that it is an icon which is
0:15:10 > 0:15:15about a statement of theology, so that it doesn't have a set location.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20The whole thing is suggesting and implying Derry,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23but not trying to look like Derry.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26So what is iconography?
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Iconography is a very specific thing.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34And it is now generally taken to mean an image painted on a wooden board
0:15:34 > 0:15:38using gold leaf and egg tempera.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42And it is exclusively images from the Christian church.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45One of the reasons I would have taken to iconography
0:15:45 > 0:15:49was because it comes right from the second century of the Church.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53It is before the split between the East and West,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55and before the Reformation.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00So everything in it is the common heritage of all Christians.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05Oh Lord our God, send down the grace of your holy spirit from these icons.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Bless them and make them holy...
0:16:07 > 0:16:10The popularity of iconography is growing,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12and Dick runs regular classes
0:16:12 > 0:16:15where artists can learn to paint their own icon.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18You paint, you use egg yolk mixed with vinegar,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22so you have the symbol of the resurrection, the new life
0:16:22 > 0:16:24that is given to Christ at the tomb,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26and we mix it with pure pigment.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31You have the linen of the shroud, you have the alabaster of the tomb,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35so all the time, you're bringing it back to its religious meaning.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39And it can either be a pivotal moment in Christ's life,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41or it can be a saint,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44but it must be something that is rooted in tradition.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48And it must be based on a pre-existing icon.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53Because iconographers, we believe that the very first icon was painted
0:16:53 > 0:16:57by St Luke and it was of the mother of God and the Christ child.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01So they believe that there is an actual image
0:17:01 > 0:17:05which would approximate to how the person would have looked.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10How do you feel when you see a finished article
0:17:10 > 0:17:14and you realise, that's it, it's done?
0:17:14 > 0:17:18The icon in the exhibition, I was working on until half an hour
0:17:18 > 0:17:22before it had to go to the framers, and I was never sure it was right.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24I had to let it be, I had to let it go.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28And then I saw it framed and I was completely delighted.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31And you have to be willing to do that.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35You must leave room for the Holy Spirit and for God to intervene
0:17:35 > 0:17:36and to add to the work.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45# My life goes on in endless song
0:17:45 > 0:17:51# Above Earth's lamentations
0:17:51 > 0:17:56# I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn
0:17:56 > 0:18:01# That hails a new creation
0:18:01 > 0:18:07# Thro' all the tumult and the strife
0:18:07 > 0:18:13# I hear its music ringing
0:18:13 > 0:18:19# It sounds an echo in my soul
0:18:19 > 0:18:24# How can I keep from singing?
0:18:51 > 0:18:57# When tyrants tremble in their fear
0:18:57 > 0:19:02# And hear that death bell ringing
0:19:02 > 0:19:08# When friends rejoice, both far and near
0:19:08 > 0:19:13# How can I keep from singing?
0:19:13 > 0:19:20# In prison cell and dungeon vile
0:19:20 > 0:19:26# Our thoughts to them are winging
0:19:26 > 0:19:33# When friends by shame are undefiled
0:19:33 > 0:19:40# How can I keep from singing?
0:19:54 > 0:20:04# How can I keep from singing? #
0:20:21 > 0:20:24A recent addition to the city is the new Peace Bridge which now joins
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Protestant and Catholic communities
0:20:26 > 0:20:29living on the east and west banks of the River Foyle.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Just a short stroll across the Peace Bridge from the Guildhall
0:20:35 > 0:20:37is this place, Ebrington Square,
0:20:37 > 0:20:39which has hosted some of the landmark events
0:20:39 > 0:20:42that have taken place during the City of Culture celebrations.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Today, if you've got your dancing shoes on like me,
0:20:45 > 0:20:50it's playing host to an unusual world record attempt.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Richard Moore, the founder of Children In Crossfire,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57set up the charity after losing his sight
0:20:57 > 0:21:01when he was shot with a plastic bullet in the city 40 years ago.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04We support projects in Tanzania, Ethiopia and the Gambia,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06affecting children under eight years of age.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11And today, I am joining fundraisers to help set a new world record
0:21:11 > 0:21:17for the largest line of Irish dancers.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20And what's the magic number, what is the figure you have to break?
0:21:20 > 0:21:24As long as we get over 1693, I'll be happy.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32And with unofficial figures totting up over 2,500 dancers,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35it looks like this could be a new world record
0:21:35 > 0:21:37for the City Of Culture.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08This is the Promise Chalice.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10It was gifted to the people of Derry 400 years ago
0:24:10 > 0:24:13from the Honourable The Irish Society in London.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17They pledged they would build a cathedral for the new city.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20And if you look at the Latin inscription, it translates as,
0:24:20 > 0:24:26"To the Church of God in the city of Derry, the gift of the Londoners."
0:24:28 > 0:24:32St Columb's Cathedral was indeed built and 400 years later,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36it is busy playing a part in the City of Culture.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Practically all the churches here in the city
0:24:40 > 0:24:42have been involved in hosting events
0:24:42 > 0:24:45in connection with the Year of Culture.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47And I think in doing all of this,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50the churches have helped to make them think about God
0:24:50 > 0:24:54and the creative power of God and all that is going on.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55It does help in the faith process.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00As part of the celebrations,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03St Columb's Cathedral has commissioned
0:25:03 > 0:25:07an oratorio called the Columba Canticles, which incorporates
0:25:07 > 0:25:11the poems of a local writer, along with specially composed music.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15I think this one is quite unique
0:25:15 > 0:25:18in that it does span a wide net of involvement.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21We've got representation from England, obviously,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24with the Southbank Sinfonia,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27a wonderful Scottish contingent with the Aberdeen Choir.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Our own University of Ulster choir
0:25:29 > 0:25:32is brought from all four corners of the island of Ireland.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38The mix is really vibrant and wonderful, so it is really a thrill
0:25:38 > 0:25:42to see all of this come together for this wonderful performance.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46I've used some Gregorian chanting
0:25:46 > 0:25:51and I've used four Irish traditional folk melodies and some fiddle tunes.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57There are two slip jigs in it, so I've tried to combine
0:25:57 > 0:26:00elements of traditional music, Irish traditional music,
0:26:00 > 0:26:05with ecclesiastical music, with contemporary music and these poems.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08And I hope what we've ended up with is an interesting,
0:26:08 > 0:26:09exciting new piece.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Until I was 15...
0:26:13 > 0:26:15It was the first time that the writer of the poem
0:26:15 > 0:26:20heard the completed piece.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25..Together with relations and neighbours.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30It was a little piece of magic.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33The words that had been there on a page
0:26:33 > 0:26:36suddenly came alive and I am so appreciative
0:26:36 > 0:26:40of all the people that really put a lot of work into it.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Just like the Scottish connections
0:26:46 > 0:26:49that St Columba made all those years ago,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53events like this strengthen the links between Derry and Scotland.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54We really blend really well.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I feel like we've known each other for so long
0:26:56 > 0:26:58and it's only been since Friday we met.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03It's been really nice to come across from outside Ireland
0:27:03 > 0:27:08and to see what is going on in Derry with the City of Culture.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15I've got on so well with the Aberdeen ones who have come here.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17They are actually such an inspiration.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I really hope the two choirs do get together again.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23I hope this is a link which will continue to go on.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24I hope it is not the last time I see them.
0:27:24 > 0:27:30# Amen. #
0:27:41 > 0:27:43You may remember the fabulous performance
0:27:43 > 0:27:45of Joshua Fought The Battle Of Jericho
0:27:45 > 0:27:48that our next guests gave us earlier this year,
0:27:48 > 0:27:53when they became Songs Of Praise Junior Choir Of The Year.
0:27:53 > 0:27:54We are delighted to say
0:27:54 > 0:27:56we are going to hear them sing for us again,
0:27:56 > 0:27:57this time in their home city.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02This is St Patrick's Primary School Choir, and the City Of God.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06# Awake from your slumber
0:28:06 > 0:28:10# Arise from your sleep
0:28:10 > 0:28:13# A new day is dawning
0:28:13 > 0:28:18# For all those who weep
0:28:18 > 0:28:22# The people in darkness
0:28:22 > 0:28:26# Have seen a great light
0:28:26 > 0:28:30# The Lord of all longing
0:28:30 > 0:28:34# Has conquered the night
0:28:34 > 0:28:38# Let us build the city of God
0:28:38 > 0:28:42# May our tears be turned into dancing
0:28:42 > 0:28:46# For the Lord our light and our love
0:28:46 > 0:28:50# Has turned the night into day
0:28:51 > 0:28:55# We are sons of the morning
0:28:55 > 0:28:59# We are daughters of day
0:28:59 > 0:29:03# The one who has loved us
0:29:03 > 0:29:06# Has brightened our way
0:29:07 > 0:29:11# The Lord of all kindness
0:29:11 > 0:29:15# Has called us to be
0:29:15 > 0:29:18# A light for his people
0:29:18 > 0:29:22# To set their hearts free
0:29:23 > 0:29:27# Let us build the city of God
0:29:27 > 0:29:31# May our tears be turned into dancing
0:29:31 > 0:29:35# For the Lord our light and our love
0:29:35 > 0:29:38# Has turned the night into day
0:29:42 > 0:29:45# God is light
0:29:45 > 0:29:50# In him there is no darkness
0:29:50 > 0:29:54# Let us walk in his light
0:29:54 > 0:30:00# His children one and all
0:30:00 > 0:30:04# O comfort to my people
0:30:04 > 0:30:08# Make gentle your words
0:30:08 > 0:30:12# Proclaim to my city
0:30:12 > 0:30:17# The day of her birth
0:30:17 > 0:30:21# Let us build a city of God
0:30:21 > 0:30:25# May our tears be turned into dancing
0:30:25 > 0:30:29# For the Lord our light and our love
0:30:29 > 0:30:38# Has turned the night into day. #
0:30:41 > 0:30:43May Almighty God,
0:30:43 > 0:30:50the source of all inspiration, harmony and culture in creation,
0:30:50 > 0:30:56fill you with joy and peace on your earthly pilgrimage.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59And the blessing of God Almighty,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05be with you now and for ever more.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Amen.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17And so we come to our final hymn
0:31:17 > 0:31:20in this Songs of Praise City of Culture special.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24For that, we have chosen the wonderful Angel Voices Ever Singing.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26From all of us here, in Derry-Londonderry,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28until the next time, bye-bye.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32Next week, Aled visits Whitby and the North York Moors
0:33:32 > 0:33:36to celebrate the harvest of land and sea.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39And congregations from farming and port communities
0:33:39 > 0:33:41all over the country sing their harvest hymns
0:33:41 > 0:33:44in praise of God's creation.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing by Red Bee Media Ltd