King Charles III’s coronation: 5 sacred songs that will be performed

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Wednesday, May 03, 2023

'Alleluia'

The choir, Church ministers, civil servants and Members of Parliament process out of St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey arrive after the Service for the New Parliament at St Margaret's Church on June 9, 2015, in London, England. The Archishop of Canterbury, led the congregation in a service of prayers and sermons which is held in the church at the beginning of each parliament. | Mary Turner/Getty Images

Television and film composer Debbie Wiseman created a two-part composition, “Alleluia (O Clap your Hands)” and “Alleluia (O Sing Praises),” specifically for the coronation ceremony.

“Alleluia (O Clap your Hands)” will be sung in between a reading from the first chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians, scheduled to be read by U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Gospel. “Alleluia (O Sing Praises)” will be sung in between the Gospel and the sermon.

According to a statement by the British Royal Family, “O Clap Your Hands” will be sung by the Westminster Abbey Choir while “O Sing Praises” will be performed by The Ascension Choir, marking the first time a gospel choir has performed at a Coronation.

“The Coronation is a solemn religious ceremony and the natural inclination is to go for a reverential hymn-like approach, but I was keen to make this piece, above all, joyful and celebratory of the new King and the new era,” said Wiseman.

“Part of the liturgical text says ‘O sing unto God with the voice of melody’ and when my melodies are sung by the wonderful voices of the world-renowned Choir of Westminster Abbey, I can’t absolutely confirm they’ll reach heaven but they’ll certainly raise the roof.”