In the vast world of music, some melodies fade quickly, while others resonate deeply, touching hearts across generations. Among the latter is "Prayer of the Children," a profoundly moving piece. Interestingly, its creator, a prolific songwriter, never initially intended for this particular Song The Prayer to reach the public ear. This is the story of how frustration and sorrow transmuted into a powerful anthem of hope and peace.
The composer, deeply affected by the brutal civil war and ethnic cleansing that ravaged Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, penned this poignant piece. Having lived in Yugoslavia during the 1970s, he had developed a deep affection for its people, transcending ethnic divides. Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian – to him, they were simply friends, their shared humanity eclipsing political and ethnic lines. He was aware of the simmering tensions beneath the surface, yet he held onto the hope for lasting peace in this culturally rich land.
Tragically, the death of Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito in 1980 unleashed the pent-up forces of division. Political factions clashed, and the country descended into a devastating civil war. Former friends became adversaries, families were torn apart by ethnic hatred. Miles away in the United States, the composer watched the unfolding tragedy on television, a growing sense of despair engulfing him.
One evening, overwhelmed by these emotions, he began to channel his feelings into a wordless melody. Gradually, lyrics began to emerge, starting with the poignant questions, "Can you hear…? Can you feel…?" He focused on the imagined sensations of children caught in this conflict – Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian children, all experiencing the same confusion, fear, and sadness. This song the prayer became their voice, a lament for their lost innocence.
The song was completed in a single night, a deeply personal expression shared only with his family. For a time, it remained private, never intended for public performance. Primarily an instrumental composer, public singing was not his usual domain. However, the song the prayer eventually found its voice. Tasked with filling a two-hour concert program, he decided to include "Prayer of the Children." The performance took place at Abravanel Hall during a private concert for Folio Corporation, likely around 1994. The audience response was immediate and profound, a hushed silence filling the hall as he sang this heartfelt song the prayer.
His performance was a cappella, enhanced by a Digitech Vocalist, a vocal synthesizer that digitally harmonized his voice into five parts, creating a sound reminiscent of a Gregorian choir, lending a sacred quality to the song the prayer. This unique arrangement became his signature style for performing the piece.
The song the prayer‘s journey to wider recognition began with a recording on the "Innovators" CD, produced by Randy and Brian Blosil for Wordperfect Corporation. Distributed globally to over 500,000 Wordperfect 6.0 users, this CD played a significant role in introducing the song the prayer to a vast audience.
From there, the song the prayer traveled through word of mouth and serendipitous encounters. Someone in Puyallup, Washington, heard the song and passed it on to Andrea Klouse, a talented choral arranger. Recognizing its potential for children’s choir, Klouse collaborated with the composer to create an SSA arrangement. This arrangement quickly gained popularity throughout the Northwest, thanks to enthusiastic choir directors. The song the prayer‘s reach expanded further when renowned choir director Weston Noble of Luther College Nordic Choir discovered and began performing it. His influence as a guest conductor and adjudicator at high school honor choirs nationwide propelled the song the prayer across the United States.
Today, "Prayer of the Children" has been performed by over 500 choirs in schools, communities, and professional ensembles across the globe, including in Australia, Sweden, Mexico, and Germany. It has been recorded by over 100 choirs and has become a staple for commemorative events, such as 9/11 memorials, services for the Columbine High School tragedy, and tributes to the Oklahoma City bombing victims. These philanthropic uses resonate deeply with the composer, as the song the prayer was born from a place of desperation and sorrow. Its power to offer solace and comfort in times of suffering is its most profound purpose.
The lyrics of this impactful song the prayer speak directly to the heart:
"Can you hear the prayer of the children?
On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry
Turning heavenward toward the light
Crying Jesus*, help me
To see the morning light-of one more day
But if I should die before I wake,
I pray my soul to take"
And further verses echo this plea for hope, love, and peace in a world marred by conflict and hatred. The composer notes that while the original lyrics used "Crying Jesus," he now suggests substituting "Crying softly…" to broaden the song the prayer‘s universal appeal, allowing individuals of all faiths to connect with its message of love and compassion, whether they substitute "Jesus, Allah, Yahweh, etc."
This simple yet profound song the prayer, born from personal anguish, has become a global testament to the power of music to transcend borders and offer hope in the darkest of times. Its journey from a private expression of sorrow to a widely embraced anthem of peace is a powerful reminder of the human capacity to create beauty and meaning even amidst suffering.
