Celtic Thunder brings powerful vocals to a capella performance of “Amazing Grace”
The Irish singing sensations known collectively as Celtic Thunder have released 12 albums since the group was formed in 2007.
According to one of their many YouTube video captions:
“The concept for Celtic Thunder is to feature men of different ages from Ireland and Scotland, a real range of Celts, paying homage to their shared heritage.”
The group members have changed over time, with some leaving to take on new television and music projects and one member passing away.
But in 2011, the group consisted of Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Emmet Cahill, George Donaldson, Colm Keegan, and Neil Byrne who performed a moving live rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
The song appeared on their album “Christmas,” which they called “a diverse mix of international and Celtic holiday classics,” despite being a traditional hymn.
Even if you’ve never heard of the band, you undoubtedly know the song “Amazing Grace.” It was written by English poet John Newton, who later became a clergyman despite starting his life off as a slave trader.
And while some like to imply that it was a near-disaster on a ship during a storm that led him to the clergy and the composition of this beautiful hymn, he continued to operate in the slave trade long after he found religion.
However, the hymn was published after his sea-faring (and therefore slave trading days) were over. He later joined the abolitionist movement.
One of Newton’s biographers has estimated that “Amazing Grace” is now performed about 10 million times annually!
The song has a long history in the U.S. South as it was a popular part of the conversion efforts of Baptist and Methodist preachers in the early 19th century.
And while it has been set to many melodies, it was American composer William Walker who set it to a tune originally known as “New Britain” – and that’s the version people sing today.
In Celtic Thunder’s version – and in a video uploaded in 2011 and again in 2014 – the group sings the song a capella. That’s despite having an orchestral setup behind them.
It’s clear that at this point in their concert they wanted to draw the audience’s attention to both the song and their vocals. The lack of instrumentals makes the performance even more striking – and moving.
Each group member gets their own moment to shine, and the close-ups of the men give viewers an idea of the large age gaps between group members!
But no one said you needed to be close in age to make beautiful music together!
Despite being part of their Christmas album, it appears the earlier upload of the same performance took place around Easter and that the 2011 upload has been viewed over 16 MILLION times!
It’s pretty clear that no matter when you listen to this song – since it’s not associated with any holiday – it’s easy to appreciate.
Plenty of people found solace in this performance:
“This is absolutely beautifully sung!! This song always chokes me up, but you brought me to tears. Partly because of my own struggles with the need for Grace, and because of how you brought it to life. Thank you for sharing it with the world of YouTube!!!” said one commenter of the 2011 upload.
While it’s certainly not the latest viral version of the song, it’s worth checking out if you need some inspiration.
Be sure to scroll down below to check out Celtic Thunder’s striking a capella performance.
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