Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” Speaking about music, Scott Richard Weiland, an American musician, singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer of the band Stone Temple Pilots from 1989 to 2013 expanded upon Longfellow’s sentiments. He stated, “Music, as many people have said, is the universal language. Of course, points are made which make you think about things, but ultimately it makes you feel. And that’s why people remember more songs that have meant something during their life than films. They start to define periods in your life, and that’s kind of the beauty of it.”

Through the venue of music, we can express our jubilation, praise, and thanksgiving to Him from whom all blessings flow. During the darkest nights, in times of adversity and distress, music can soothe the aching soul and bring the calm and peace that a person needs. During moments of quiet and reflection, music speaks to our hearts. Music can also at times bring to remembrance even some of the little things of life that once were thought to be forgotten.

Two years ago, on 5 August 2014, BYU Vocal Point along with featured artists BYU Men’s Chorus, released an inspiring video of their rendition of the timeless hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee.” James L. Stevens, a 2003 music graduate of Brigham Young University, a former member of BYU Vocal Point, and a one-time director of the group wrote the arrangement and Latin verse of the song for the group. He considers this song a gift from God and wants to share it with the world. The description of the video states, “James Stevens’s arrangement of this Christian hymn creates a feeling that is less about peace and more about the struggles in life that bring us closer to God.”

On 14 August 2016, the Redfourth Chorus from Upper Hill School Nairobi, Kenya, released their powerful cover of BYU Vocal Point’s rendition of the hymn “Nearer My God to Thee” arranged by James Stevens. Their version of the song has adapted Swahili text from a famous Swahili hymn, ‘Chakutumaini Sina’ and includes original text and arrangements by long-term voice trainer and Redfourth Academy of Music Chairman, Philip ‘Filah’ Tuju. The soloists, Joseph Wonder (16) and Reginald (17), as well as the other voices in the choir, are all students at Upper Hill School. Filah himself provides additional vocals. The description of their video states, “It’s been fifteen years since Philip ‘Filah’ Tuju began training young singers at Upper Hill School as a volunteer. The journey has not always been easy but the positive impact on the lives of the students over the years has been more than fulfilling. As an appreciation of Gods Faithfulness, Philip ‘Filah’ Tuju suggested that the Redfourth Chorus should cover the BYU version of the hymn and use Swahili text to bring the message closer home.” According to the choir’s official website, “The vision of the choir is to use music to bring social change and be the ambassadors of peace, democracy, education and child rights and other human rights initiative.”

Whether the song is sung in English, Swahili, or whatever the language, the intrinsic beauty of music is that a person need not understand the language in which a song is sung to appreciate the message that the song intends to convey.