Sissel Kyrkjebø - Going Home

Sissel Kyrkjebø performing "Going Home" in a TV-concert from Røros Church, Norway in 2007. Click on CC for subtitles. The song is based on the Czech composer Antonin Dvorak's famous "Largo" theme from his Symphony No. 9 (From the New World), Op. 95. His symphony was composed while he was in America and was first performed by the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall on December 16, 1893. It has been said that Dvorak's themes in his symphony were inspired by American folk melodies, especially Afro-American or American Indian. The lyrics for "Going Home" was written by one of Dvorak's pupils, William Arms Fisher (1861-1948), who adapted and arranged the Largo theme and added his own words in "the form of a Negro spiritual." This song especially became known as a spiritual after the death of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940s.

This is part of what Fisher wrote in the published sheet music of his song, "Going Home" (Oliver Ditson Company):

"The Largo, with its haunting English horn solo, is the outpouring of Dvorak's own home-longing, with something of the loneliness of far-off prairie horizons, the faint memory of the red-man's bygone days, and a sense of the tragedy of the black-man as it sings in his "spirituals." Deeper still it is a moving expression of that nostalgia of the soul all human beings feel. That the lyric opening theme of the Largo should spontaneously suggest the words 'Goin' home, goin' home' is natural enough, and that the lines that follow the melody should take the form of a negro spiritual accords with the genesis of the symphony."

-- William Arms Fisher, Boston, July 21, 1922.

Sissel, the international singing sensation and national treasure of Norway, is established as one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos. Her angelic and powerful voice has made Sissel a national institution and she has sung all over the world, selling over ten million solo albums. She has contributed haunting vocal tracks for the soundtrack to Titanic and The Lord of the Rings, and has been performing duets with singers like Charles Aznavour, Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Mario Frangoulis, Josh Groban, Brian May, Neil Sedaka, Bryn Terfel and Russell Watson. In 2005, she was knighted by the King of Norway, as the youngest ever to receive this honour. And in 2006, her album 'The Spirit of the Season' with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir went to number-one on the Billboard Classical Charts, and received a Grammy nomination. A very remarkable voice that only comes once in our lifetime.

[sisselfan]

See how others react when they hear Sissel perform this song.
Playlist with reaction videos of YouTube users responding to "Going Home":

[Law-hr]

I am here lots of people are not, people i knew, people i loved, i miss everyone but must continue on with with life, and remember they are not gone they are still here within me

[lesbrunswick]

What is it with Norway. It has only 5.4 million people, but in the last two decades it has produced the extraordinary singers Aurora, Angelina Jordan, and now I am learning about the impossibly wonderful Sissel.

[margaretstewart]

The words express exactly how I feel dying and being met by family and old friends will be, very reassuring and comforting.

[tonysalter]

Such a beautiful lady, such a beautiful voice, such beautiful words that tell everything,

[hartmutk.]

Bisher habe ich das kleine Volk der Norweger vor allem wegen der tollen Wintersportlern bewundert. Aber Sissel und ihre Stimme hat mir ein viel schöneres Bild der Nordmänner und v.a. der Nordfrauen gezeigt. Danke Sissel!

[TheMonarchgroup]

The pure heavenly voice of an Angel, Sissel’s voice brings me to tears and closer to God.

[chrisbeyer]

i could listen to this powerful prayer song over and over again

[bryonfoster]

I’ve been following her for quite a long time and just love her voice a beautiful lady.

[DebbieSkidmore-eo]

I want this song sung at my funeral
Love it

[rozabarnes]

What a beautiful voice! Pure and angelic. She sings so effortlessly and brings joy and peace to one's mind and soul. I can listen to her for hours!

[-linus]

🙏
My wife and I both agree that we would like this played at each of our funerals.
❤️

[highlanderhorses]

I absolutely love this song, sung by Sissel. She sounds like an angel.

[roderickherbert]

A joy to listen and a joy that brings peace to the mind and a lovely voice, what else could we ask for

[margon]

This person was born to sing ! Perfect voice !

[bradleynichols]

Can’t stop tearing up! What a treasure!!!

[RudolfKooijman]

Great. I didn't know this song until today. I adore the ninth symphony and singing. Great performance. Beautiful.

[johnr.petersen]

As I see the sun setting on my stay in this world, it is such a joy to here her voice, so pure and angelic, bringing comfort to a life that has been frought with trials and tribulations. Such peace and joy of her singing is without doubt one of the greatest gifts of life. May all who here this song be blessed as much as I have. Thank you so much,

jrp

[Bobba]

Her control of her voice is incredible. She can sing incredibly softly with complete control and clarity. I hear some of Barbara Streisand in her voice, but with even more control. Celine Dionne is also another one who I think comes close to Sissel, but I believe Sissel is still the number one female vocalist I have ever heard. God has given us some wonderful and talented vocalists and musicians and Sissel is right up at the top of the list.

[rayhicks]

I have only just discovered Sissel she sings so relaxingly stunningly beautiful
Angelic in every way certaintly a treasure to Norway.and the world !!