Christmas may have slipped by this year, but one soul-stirring festive tune is still going viral on YouTube even after the season’s end, amassing over 332,000 views to date, and raising over $1,665 for the charity, UNICEF.
The South London-based choir, Libera, had one goal in mind: to preserve and encourage the tradition of choral singing for boys while helping less fortunate children around the world who have been affected by war and conflict, drawing focus through this fundraising music video.
To amp up the game, Libera chose a track that blends traditional Christmas auras with those of chart-topping charity singles, opting for a spectacular and ethereal cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
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Twenty-five boys gowned in old-school white robes vocalise the legendary lines, painting the pop-rock track in a whole new light. The lead singers are as exceptional as the clouds of voices which pad Lennon’s lyrics, the choir’s angelic tones cutting clean through their conductor’s lullaby-like piano chords as they sing like adult pros. With the boys’ ages ranging from seven to sixteen, their finesse is absolutely incredible, feathering mystical colours through the ‘70s hit and turning it freshly into a Victorian hymn.
Libera clearly aren’t your usual church choir. The internationally acclaimed classical singers have managed to worm their way into the limelight, their show-stopping vocals appearing on multiple pop albums from artists including Björk, Cliff Richard, and Neil Diamond.
The group was originally directed by Robert Prizeman until his death in 2021; the Lambeth composer renowned for writing the theme tune for the BBC’s Sunday staple, “Songs of Praise.” While instantly enchanting the UK audience, Libera have also been met with epic success in the US, Philippines, South Korea, and Japan, topping both mainstream and classical music charts around the globe.
Libera have 13 studio albums under their belt, alongside a host of singles, live albums, and compilation records. Past iterations of the choir have even featured on the movie soundtracks of 1995’s “Twelve Monkeys,” 1996’s “Romeo and Juliet,” and 2001’s “Hannibal”!
Young John Lennon fans will be well acquainted with his classic Christmas hit, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” But did you know that the single’s B-side was another Christmas song? Yoko Ono’s controversial track, “Listen, The Snow Is Falling,” is still as obscure as ever, but some fans, surfacing after decades of incessant Yoko-hatred, have been totally moved by its imagery, stunned that this song has slipped so far through the cracks. Check out the rare track in the video above – Lennon’s influence is unmissable in the instrumental!
Libera’s mesmerizing take on “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” transcends the festive season, leaving a lasting impact both musically and charitably. Their dedication to choral tradition and supporting UNICEF is a testament to their inspiring efforts. Dive deeper into their journey and explore their musical initiatives through the links provided below.