Two magnificent performances of “The Prayer,” spaced 10 years apart

[Joe Carillo]

I think today is as good a day as any to listen to two stirringly magnificent performances of the song “The Prayer,” spaced ten years apart. The first is the 2002 live concert duet of the young Welsh singer Charlotte Church (only 16 then) and Josh Groban (21 at the time), and the second is the 2010 live performance by the young Filipino singer Charice Pempengco (only 19 then) with the Canadian Tenors, with Canadian composer and songwriter David Foster at the piano, during the CBC holiday special originally aired December 13 of that year.

Click the link below the photo to watch each performance:

THE CHARLOTTE CHURCH-JOSH GROBAN
“THE PRAYER” 2002 LIVE CONCERT PERFORMANCE

THE CHARICE PEMPENGCO AND THE CANADIAN TENORS
“THE PRAYER” 2010 LIVE TV PERFORMANCE

Ponder the concert performances deeply as we face an even more troubled world in 2017!

***

“The Prayer” was written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa, and Tony Renis with lyrics in English and Italian. It was first performed as a duet between Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli for “Quest for Camelot: Music from the Motion Picture” in 1999. For those who’d like to memorize its lyrics and sing-along, here’s a transcription as sung by Josh Groban:
 
“THE PRAYER”

I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know

Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your Grace
To a place where we’ll be safe

La luce che tu dai
I pray we’ll find your light
Nel cuore restera
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarci che
When stars go out each night
L’eterna stella sei

Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c’e
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe.

Sogniamo un mondo senza piu violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternita

La forza che ci dai
We ask that life be kind
E’il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amore
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a se
Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salvera

[tonybau]

"The Prayer", whether sung solo, as a duet or by a group remains as one of the most popular songs even today. In weddings, in churches, meetings, etc. However "gasgas" (Tagalog) it has become, one cannot avoid being moved by the song, which was first originally sung by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli.

Here's another great version with no less than our very own Lea Salonga with Josh Groban:

             IMAGE CREDIT: YOUTUBE.COM

WATCH THE ABS-CBN.COM VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE CONCERT DUET NOW!

“The Prayer” Duet of Lea Salonga and Josh Groban