O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: greatest hymn for the first Sunday of Advent

Friends,

I am sure you will agree that O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is the greatest first Sunday of Advent hymn ever written.

I noticed today a singer named Enya made this version of the hymn replacing ransom with free, which I rally did not like. I also did not appreciate the lack of an organ for instrumentals. The deep notes bellowing from a quality organ are essential to really feel this moving song.

Here is another pretty version that uses cello and piano, but again misses the mark without the use of the organ. Another similar version of the song, by Casting Crowns, also utilizes the violin to replicate the mourns of a lost tribe, but again, no organ.

I do not particularly like Louisiana’s Lauren Daigle’s version, which uses variations in her voice to undesirable effect. A far more moving a cappella version is this one, with appropriately anonymous singers, as true Christian singers wish to remain. They do not try to profit or increase their fame off Christ and his disciples’ work and art.

No, we must listen to the King’s College Choir to get both the power of the organ and the beauty of the anonymous choir.

Let us rejoice, my friends, for the time is near!

Rejoice,
TulaneLSU