I recently came acrossKINGS RETURN, an a cappella (sung without instrumental accompaniment) vocal group rooted in Gospel, jazz, R&B and classical music, singing the classical Latin piece Ubi Caritas. Sung from the heart of an ordinary stairwell, the choral acoustic perfection has wowed many on Youtube.
This group describe themselves as “a vocal band of brothers formed in 2016 from pre-existing friendships.” They further explain that their band’s name “reminds us to be our brother’s keeper and to pay homage to our King, Jesus, who has Himself promised to return.”
The 8th-century antiphon, sung on Holy Thursday during the washing of feet, was arranged by the modern Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, who currently resides in Manhattan
Translated, the piece sends a powerful message, one apt for our country's present racial unrest: Where charity and love are, God is there. Christ’s love has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him. Let us fear, and let us love the living God. And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
If only we all could “sing” this from the depth of our American hearts!