‘Rise up and serve, thanking God for Her Majesty…’ That’s the message from the Commonwealth Choir in a new anthem commissioned by HOPE Together for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. ‘Rise Up & Serve’ has been written by song writers Graham Kendrick, Mal Pope and the contemporary worship band Rend Collective for choirs everywhere to sing at Platinum Jubilee events and street parties this summer.
With singers and musicians from as far afield as Australia and Canada, India and England, the Commonwealth Choir’s performance includes British Gospel singer Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE adding his own words of tribute to the Queen in Hausa, Swahli, Igbo and Yoruba, with the Aldgate School Children’s Choir led by Pat Bilborough adding an intergenerational sound.
The Commonwealth Choir also includes Rend Collective from Northern Ireland, Darlene Zschech from Australia, Brian Doerksen from Canada, Mal Pope and the Morriston Orpheus Choir from Wales, Morris Matavuvale from Fiji, Sheldon Bangera from India, as well as Voices from the Nations percussion, the All Souls Orchestra, the Regent Hall Band of The Salvation Army, David Grant MBE, Graham Kendrick, Lou Fellingham, and Sounds of New Wine choir with Creative Director Lawrence Johnson.
Listen to the anthem then download the words and music from www.theplatinumjubilee.com/sing. The website also includes ideas for 70 Acts of Service to honour the Queen for her faith and service over seven decades and a new gift book Our Faithful Queen, which includes rarely-seen prayers the Queen prayed as she prepared for the Coronation.
Rise Up & Serve lyrics
Verse 1
In this glorious year of the Jubilee
We give thanks for Her Majesty
In honour of a faithful heart
Who chose to serve and to play her part
Verse 2
Many nations have gathered here
From the mountain heights let the song ring clear
Celebrating the answered call
Blessed with prayer and sacred oil.
Chorus
‘Rise up and serve’ is the call we hear
With hope in our hearts, joining as one, making history.
Let fanfares sound through this Jubilee
Rise up and serve, thanking God for Her Majesty
Verse 3
May God’s good grace be upon her now
To complete the task and fulfil her vow.
May the trust in Christ she has held so long
Be the truth that burns brightly on.
Middle section
One hope, one vision
On many tongues one song
From East to West
Let’s keep it burning on
One hope, one vision
On many tongues one song
From East to West
Let’s keep it burning on
Keep it burning on
Rise up, come on and rise up, in this year of jubilee
Rise up, come on and rise up, celebration time is here
The Jubilee is coming
Everyone is singing
Rise up and greet the dawn
The Jubilee is coming
Everyone is singing
Let’s keep it burning on
Keep it burning on
Rise Up & Serve credits
Arranger – Mark Edwards || Mix engineer – Trevor Michael || Producer – Les Moir || Video Director – Andy Hutch || Editor – Rob Wilson || Executive production – HOPE Together
Download the sheet music and backing tracks from www.theplatinumjubilee.com/sing
Sign up to receive updates about the Platinum Jubilee plans from HOPE Together HERE
HOPE Together is working in partnership with: Church of England | Methodist Church | Biblica | Thy Kingdom Come | Girls’ Brigade | Boys’ Brigade| Youth For Christ | YouthScape | The Message | Pais Movement | Prayer Spaces In Schools | Word & Worship Trust
