17 September 2018, 10:08 | Updated: 17 September 2018, 10:16
It’s the exquisite classical crossover duet that has been covered on every talent show under the sun: but nobody does it better than Bocelli and Dion.
‘The Prayer’ was heard on national television over the weekend, when X Factor contestant Sephy Francisco delivered an extraordinary performance of it.
Here’s everything you need to know about the classical song.
Who sings ‘The Prayer’?
‘The Prayer’ is a phenomenally successful classical crossover duet, recorded by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.
The song won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, as well as being nominated for an Academy Award (1999) for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award (2000).
Praised by audiences and critics alike, Chuck Taylor from Billboard called it “a breathtaking, ultra-lush song, and the tour de force combination of Dion and Bocelli will send a half-dozen chills up your spine.”
But it wasn’t always planned as a duet. ‘The Prayer’ was originally recorded in two solo versions for the movie Quest for Camelot: in English by Dion, and in Italian by Bocelli.
The best-known version of the song, which includes lines in both English and Italian, was first released as a single on 1 March 1999.
What is the meaning of ‘The Prayer’?
‘The Prayer’ is hugely popular with choirs and cover artists, because of its gorgeous melody.
It garnered attention again recently, when X Factor contestant Sephy Francisco gave an extraordinary performance of the song in Week Two of the 2018 series. Britain’s Got Talent contestants Jonathan and Charlotte also performed it for their audition in 2012.
But the song is also a request for peace, guidance and kindness, making it a common choice for memorial services. Its lyrics, although they aren’t always interpreted as such, are spiritual, and ask the subject of the song to ‘watch us where we go’ and ‘help us to be wise’.
What are the lyrics and translation of ‘The Prayer’?
I pray you’ll be our eyes,And watch us where we goAnd help us to be wise,In times when we don’t knowLet this be our prayer,When we lose our wayLead us to a place,Guide us with your graceTo a place where we’ll be safe
La luce che tu dai (the light that you give)I pray we’ll find your lightNel cuore resterà (In my heart it will remain)And hold it in our heartsA ricordarci che (To remind us that)When stars go out each nightL’eterna stella sei (You are the eternal star)Nella mia preghiera (In my prayers)Let this be our prayerQuanta fede c’è (How much faith there is)When shadows fill our dayLead us to a placeGuide us with your graceGive us faith so we’ll be safe
Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza (We dream of a world with no more violence)Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza (A world of justice and hope)Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino (Everyone lends a hand to their neighbour)Simbolo di pace e di fraternità (A symbol of peace and fraternity)
La forza che ci dai (The strength you give us)We ask that life be kindÈ il desiderio che (And the desire that)And watch us from aboveOgnuno trovi amor (Everyone will find love)We hope each soul will findIntorno e dentro a sè (Around and inside themselves)Another soul to loveLet this be our prayerLet this be our prayerJust like every childJust like every child
Need to find a place,Guide us with your graceGive us faith so we’ll be safeE la fede che (And the faith that)Hai acceso in noi (You have ignited within us)Sento che ci salverá (I feel that it will save all of us)
