Betelehemu | The Tabernacle Choir

The Tabernacle Choir performs the dramatic, engaging and stirring "Betelehemu," an African Nigerian Carol, by Olatunji and Wendell Whalum and arranged by Barrington Brooks. Accompanied by percussionists of the Orchestra at Temple Square, the Choir uses creative choreography by dancing and clapping as part of the musical presentation.

[Simagha]

I'm Nigerian and I can't believe what a great job they did with the language. It was absolutely awesome. Loved it

[julianadavis]

My high school choir did (and still does) this song every single year at the Christmas concert. This is a favorite of everyone who listens and who sings it. It’s a beautiful song

[thepolishedprincess]

I think people don't understand how difficult this song is to perform unless they have sung it themselves.  I was blessed to perform this song twice with my college chorus, and there was NO sheet music.  We were taught the same way song was passed on in Africa, by being sung our parts.  It was an experience I'll never forget, and when we performed it there was about 30 seconds of silence before our audience erupted with applause.  The Motab choir did an incredible job.  I will always have a special place in my heart for this song!

[oegbedayo]

wow!!!! I have never seen so many white people singing in my mother tongue!!! It is so

[jonaslaurince]

I'm Haitian, a son of Africa and like the drumming with the tam tam and other traditional music instruments.
When I see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing this nigerian traditional Christmas song I say they are professional!
I live my favorite choir more and more ...
I hope that my choir, the Mormon Tabernacle will sing very soon one of the Haitian traditional song!!!
Great job MOTAB!!!
God bless you!!!

[AlwaysBeingKayJay]

Who’s here in December 2024 for Christmas 🎄? I am—this is an annual holiday song that is played throughout our house 🏡. My nephew is 11 and he knows this song by heart. Taught it to him early. He first saw it performed by the Spelman Morehouse Glee Club annual holiday concert. It’s a tradition of their Christmas concert. Thank you Tabernacle Choir for keeping the spirit and our family tradition alive! ❤🙏🏽❤🙏🏽❤

[festusakinbusoye]

Very very well arranged and executed. This rendition is very much in the Yoruba tradition with the percussion and ponderous melodic voices. WOW!!! The timing, energy and liveliness couldn't be more spot on. Only thing missing is the colourful Yoruba traditional outfit. As a member of the Church this wonderful choir represents - I am very proud indeed. MoTab - O'hun yin ko ni gbe o

[TheMormonSorceress]

My choir at Lehi High actually sang this song. It was one of my favorite songs I ever sang in my choir years. And what's even more awesome, my choir teacher is a member of the Mormon Tabernacle choir. Love you Sister Covington!

[Zeriouslly]

Ha - that must have been so enjoyable for the choir and orchestra to do. Something different and certainly a rousing song for our emerging African church membership.

[akindeleslibrary]

Wow!!! My native carol well rendered in my native language by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir :)

[andreak]

I NEVER get tired of hearing The Lord's Choir perfom this piece. When I performed it in a choir it was one of the most spiritual moments of my life. The drums, our movements, people screaming out in foreign languages... My spirit just left out of my body as I sang this song about the coming of Our Savior! The song transported me back to what it must have been like right before HE came. I hear the same urgency in our modern day Prophets. Truly we were saved for "such a time as this".

[AfolabiJude]

Goose bumps! Foreigners praising God in my language! Awesome.

[brenthepworth]

That was so--o--o--o  cool!  Thanks to the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for sharing this.  And, hats off to you in the background who design and sew the women's dresses and give the men a grand look too--just TERRIFIC!

[naijasensation]

Goose pimple all over me now; listening to this beautiful rendition in my local dialect

[glorydfada]

For those that have been asking. This is a song in Yoruba language from Nigeria.
LYRICS: Voice over: Bethlehemu Ah (refrain)  Awa yi o ri baba gbojule (We have a father to rely on) Awa yi o ri baba feyin ti ( We have a father backing us) Nibo no bi Jesu, Nibo no bi isi (Where was Jesus born, where was he delivered) Bethlehemu Ah, Ibe na bi i si Bethlehemu Ah, ibe na bi  baba to daju (Bethlehem is where he was born, Bethlehem is where the really sure father is born) Fi fi iyin fun o o o, Adupe fun o, Adupe fun o, adupe fun baba orun baba olore o( Give him praise, give Him praise, we praise you, we praise you heavenly father, the one that does good) Fiyin fun baba, Fiyin fun baba, Fiyin fun baba orun, baba to dawa si. (Praise the Father 2x praise the heavenly father who kept us alive

[sphelelemngoma]

Its about time the Mormon Tabernacle Choir got Africanised!!! gosh!! this is amazing!!! and the choir is.... moving.... lol. they NEVER so much as sneeze. hahaha!! this is legit!

[marciacarvalho]

It is amazing!!!! I had a chance the watch in live!!! Unbelievable ! !! I love this gospel!!!

[purnawan]

Not enough words to express my appreciation to this wonderful number!

[susancluff]

I LOVE the way the Tabernacle Choir sings this song, and their smiles and dancing. I listen to it again and again. It's beautiful.

[Ensignpeak]

I envision this a glimpse of what is part of reperatoire of heavenly choirs.  God bless you Tabernacle Choir.