Recently we published a blog post celebrating the Choir’s YouTube channel reaching 120 million views! Although there are thousands of videos on our channel, we can tell you where at least 6 million of those 120-plus million views come from.

Shenandoah (1 Million Views)

TV personality Tom Brokaw once said, “There’s a song that I suspect I would like to have played at my funeral, and it’s called ‘Shenandoah.’” Brokaw narrated a special Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, and it was the first song performed.

“Shenandoah” is an American folk song dating back to the early 19th century and is believed to have originated from French travelers journeying down the Missouri River. By the 1880s, the song had become popular with sailors and was sung as a sea shanty, or “work song.” Learn more about “Shenandoah.”

Hallelujah (2 Million Views)    

Messiah by George Frideric Handel is a masterpiece. Whether you are a fan of the complete work or not a music fan at all, you’ve most likely heard the “Hallelujah” chorus. The piece has been included in numerous television shows, movies, cartoons, and even the famous Bellagio Fountain Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Text for “Hallelujah” comes from the book of Revelation in the New Testament. Revelation 19:6: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:16: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” And Revelation 11:15: “And he shall reign for ever and ever.”

Amazing Grace (3 Million Views)

“Amazing Grace” is one of the most recognizable English language songs and has been recorded over 6,600 times. “It may be the most recorded song on the planet,” said Jerry Bailey, executive at Broadcast Music, Inc., of Nashville.

While on tour in 2011, the Choir recorded Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of “Amazing Grace” on the banks of the Missouri River. The hymn is included on the album Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing: American Folk Hymns and Spirituals.

Watch the Bellagio Fountain Show, featuring the “Hallelujah” chorus performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.