"Agnus Dei" by Rufus Wainwright (Central Park) 

This 1st song on Want Two is absolutely mesmorizing. Rufus doesn't start singing the benediction for a full one and a half minutes. We are treated to an unbelievably beautiful arrangement. Sheer genius and by the five minute mark it is truly a religious experience. This young man's work keeps this old lady at her computer with her headset on--the only way to really hear his genius. Treat yourself to all of his recordings! This venue is for sampling...

I don't get all the hate here in the comments. Rufus was superb imo. Singing that song is NOT easy, and he did it live! Amazing!!!

For those unfamiliar, these lyrics come from a Catholic liturgical hymn: Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us." Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace."

This is a very haunting, deeply spiritual piece of music. Absolutely wonderful

I love much of Rufus’ work but this may be my favorite. It gives me chills every time I hear it. Bless you, you beautiful soul., Rufus Wainwright

i watch this with my mouth open and wonder how a person can be so talented. love this genius.

The thing about this that is beautiful is that it is a prayer from the traditional Latin mass and he is singing it as a commoner would've sung it way back in the day. And to settle the debate over pronunciation...ecclesiastical choral latin today is sung "ahnyoos." But, back in the day it was ahgnoos which makes it even more old school. Rock on Rufus.

Wow. Simply superb. This is one of my favorite Rufus songs. So powerful, so emotional. He's like a dying man crying out to his God. Rufus is simply amazing.

Rufus is a brilliant brilliant man :)

Just remember that first of all this is not meant to be played on piano, but rather by various strings. It is also outdoors, and has no hope of approaching the hauntingly beautiful quality you can get from a studio. Listen to the CD recording before you make a judgement on a truly innovative songwriter.

Amazing brilliance. Brilliant writing. Amazing performance.

His voice is so beautiful

Outrageous talent and amazing song 😱💜👌

Couldn't agree more. You can feel the entire piece building towards something, and when the pay-off hits, it is awesome.

It's harsh, and ugly, and perfect. In my church, we only chant Agnus Dei in Latin during the Easter season; it's a haunting prayer for dark times. I totally understand what he was trying to do with this song, and he did excellently.

with exception of agnus dei in adagio for strings (by Samuel barber), this one means the most to me ^_^

I agree...heard the song on the same TV show....It was perfect!

Excuse me I've seem to have forgotten my name or where I am because the part of my mind that holds that information has been officially blown...holy peter, paul and mary that was amazing

Simply Beautiful

Though raised as a Catholic, Rufus has often said in interviews that he does not have personal religious beliefs. He just apreciates classical music and likes to use his wonderful voice in this way. I cannot see that he would accept any religion which condemns his sexuality. And that really includes most of them.

New York! :) He is of Canadian-American parentage. You can check Wikipedia for a bio of both him and his very talented extended family.

2022..Escuchando sound track Crímenes sin perdón ...🤗🙌

I love this song, very interesting to hear just piano.

i love this!

Unmatched!!!

i love singing along to this song

Fabulous!

What a stud behind those keys!

Freakin' awesome!

I wish Jeff Buckley recorded this... I would have loved to hear his voice grace this tribute to the Lamb of God. :)

Lamb Of God Lamb of God You who take away the sins of the world Lamb of God You who take away the sins of the world Give Us Peace Give Us Peace Peace Give Us Peace.

ITS GREAT!!!!

beautiful

wth.... amazing.

Great song, especially in the movie "Trade"

there are two pronunciations of it - both are correct photonXspark. Ag- noos with the hard G is the Germanic pronunciation. An-yoos is the Italianate version. :)

I like it, some people can only see a performance done to their specific liking or else they think it is terrible. I just happen to like rufus's voice

This is his best song.

You would only understand it if you knew latin .... the language has been dead for hundreds of years. .. I heard this on a repeat of "Without a Trace' the other night ... and it was used as a kind of lament, it was perfect.

i'm very impressed with ur latin skills Valentinalover.

same here sister friend

@Gandaleon i believe that is the point.

💖

@QQBB22 Depends on what type of Latin is being spoken. I'm thinking this song uses Ecclesiastical Latin as apposed to Classical Latin. Ecclesiastical Latin refers to the pronunciation and usages of Latin by the Catholic Church. And "Lamb of God" seems like it fits this mold. If this is true, and the song uses Ecclesiastical Latin, then the "gn" would be pronounced like "ny" - just like they do in Italian. I could be wrong though, as I am neither religious, nor do I know much about Latin.

Cordeiro de Deus que tirai os pecados do mundo tende piedade de nós

I want to see Rufus at Central Park. ):

anybody know the chords to this?

Have you heard any of his other songs? I suggest you listen to his version of hallelujah. It's absolutely amazing. And this piece he meant to make it like that. It's not terrible, it's just another voice singing it. So if you hate him so much, shut up and don't watch his videos anymore! DUH!

He's actually composed some pretty great songs, so the appeal is there - he's also been commissioned to write an opera - from the Met general director - I'm a professional opera singer, so although I'd hope for the best, it kinds of seems frightening, especially watching his head neck position in the production of his "tone". Still, he has acheived mass appeal, so have to give him that! :)

Sorry, for a second there I thought I was talking to a sane person. My mistake..

I'm a dancer and I have a heard time counting this and I was wondering if anyone can help me out. I love the album version of this song and I am thinking of using it for a piece... and i agree this isn't the best from Rufus

Pell de gallina !!!!!! mmm (salutacions des de Catalunya, proper nou estat de la UE)

What in the world are you talking about? Where did I bring up the subject of humanism?

Could not agree more. I still like him as an artist, though.

Don't know why but this does somthing 4 me. Strange, I like it..! It does sound like a man crying out 2 his GOD. Love it. I'm glad I ran into it. Any 1 have history on this guy? PAX MrMichael 446

@WestSideBigDeal in Latin - as well as in Italian - "gn" is almost always pronounced... a way that non-Italians cannot pronounce. Mr Wainwright is not Italian (not to say Latin, lol), and this comes out pretty clearly from his pronunciation of "agnus". Nonetheless, his interpretation is superb, imho.

Why?

I love the song, don't get me wrong, but I'd love to hear it from a classicaly trained voice. Watching and hearing him sing is almost painful.

Everybody dies.Old stories to.

the word,,clown, springs to mind....why do popstars think they can sing anything. at least there will never be a worse version i suppose.

Wow bomb ass song. Thanks to the movie Trade i know it. Also they picked the perfect song as their theme.

Perhaps you are right. I let that guy get to me. It's art and maybe I just need to let things lie they way they are. I agree with Vegetth87 about the pronunciation of *Agnus,* however.

Fek sake, I knock that out, down the pub, every other Wednesday

and youre calling him pompous!? you must be like the cooolest guy ever right?

It's not rubato. It's just irregular time. Rubato is stretching the tempo - he isn't doing that. Listen to the piano.

No, I haven't sung in CP, but I've played there. Also, all over the US, Japan, The Philippines, and Korea. Nobody, indeed! Perhaps YOU should watch your tone around people you don't know!

well usually atheists, or others of a diff. religon dont sing such religous songs. if your from a different religon, you dont sing christian songs you sing YOUR religons songs, and if your atheist...you would abhore singing anything religous. i love that he is christian and doesnt mind singing such songs.

haha as long as they're happy, he's done his job =P

Am I the only one who doesn't think this completely sucks? watch the trailer for TRADE and it will change your mind about this song. I enjoy hearing the bellowing once and awhile I admit this is not the best performance

I like it! my only problem is how hes pronouncing agnus lol it's pronounced an-yoos not ag-noos

@WestSideBigDeal honey you need to relax and accept some things as they are. you will be a far happier person. you might be a vocal major, but you are not so important that you cant accept some happiness in your life. when you have sold out as many concerts as he has, or struck even one nerve as he has " vocal major" (the sound of it is just rediculous) then you can critique his performance. unitl then i suggest you shut your " vocal major hole" and learn to listen and learn.

English, Latin, Spanish, Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Greek, Japanese, Tagalog. O, sorry, *SEVEN* languages. (Counting my native English, which I got for free.)

you brought it up by assuming "Christian songs" have the sole purpose of bringing Glory to God. Art of any form reflecting on Christianity, its stories and values, has been changed since the Renaissance and the humanist movement. The subject matter hasn't changed, but the personal influence of the individual artist on the art (indicated by artist's beginning to sign their works) has permanently and profoundly affected art. Rufus' "signature" is his flambuoyant brilliance. Get with the times.

@WestSideBigDeal YOU don't say the g, becuase your teacher did not teach u. change teacher.

Pelos de puntas. trade...

Like, honestly, whoever Michael Smith was, he was NOT doing a "version" of Rufus' "Agnus Dei." They are two completely different songs. Smith's version is a corny gospel song.

Don't ya think they TALK to experts before they sing/write/say something? Just asking.

your dead wrong. music is owned by its creater. And a great song should be recognized as one and not shat on.

Hi - I think he's trying to make a sort of sound effect with his voice - but I agree w/you, and I think he sounds like a child having a tantrum. And people cheer this on?? well - I guess he's reaching someone! ??? !!!

It's prejudices like these kept alive by seemingly innocent remarks such as you chose to post here that make things difficult for people. Live and let live!

lol

@WestSideBigDeal ...agnus dei is latin...so of course you say it with 'g' ... you don't say anus dei or? XD

Se non hai senso musicale e dell'arte - e neanche scrivere bene in italiano - ne' rispetto per gli altri e del loro talento, cura tutti questi tuoi problemi. Rufus e' molto intonato e musicale, e questa interpretazione comunica emozioni e ispira l'anima. Non cercare difetti e pagliuzze negli altri, apprezzane piuttosto i pregi. Piaceranno anche a te, e ne risulterai elevato perche' li condividerai.

he's pronouncing it wrong. it's pronounced ahh-nyoos not ahhg-gnoos.

@lareeseknife Maybe it's because he's gay and hot and fabulous! Are we a bit jealous? Not being recognized for our genius??

so youre saying its pronounced "anus dei??"

I don't believe you understand the point of Jesus' death and rising then.

learn somethin new everyday ^_^ I've only sung italian and latin versions apparently. lol it still bothers me XD and it sounds like he's singing through his nose, has no support, is lacking intonation, and he's sliding into almost every note. It may just be the recording though. Doubt it. But it's still a posability lol

It is you that does not understand the relationship of Praise and Worship and its role in bringing Glory to God. I am afraid that the time, this time has passed you by. No longer is the Church interested in "humanism" as an art form or any form for that matter. We are in the last of the last days. Watch and see what the Holy Spirit is beginning to do in our midst. I have no interest in listening to an artist sing about God when the artist doesn't understand relationship with God.

sounded like blah follow by blah blah...

Any artist has the right to cover the work of another artist and put his or her own spin on it, making it "their own." Whether the end is result is a triumph or abomination is completely subjective. And as far as the Christianity aspect of this particular piece goes . . . who gives a fuck. I'd like to see any of you dissenters post your own cover, superior to that of Mr. Wainwright here. Please do.

is this a joke

jesus wep't,,,i think they crucified the wrong guy

American history = american mass. Comic.

the only thing that could make this sound worse would be bagpipes...

0 ! nothing in the voice !

Look up humanism... You're about 500 years behind the times mate.

Does he know the words to this song? Like, honestly, listen to Michael W. Smith's version, because this sucked!

Ok Latin is a dead language so each country pronounces it differently. It sounds like he is using Classic/German pronunciation.

Don't tell me to shut up, you pompus boor! I've been a professional musician longer than you've been alive. I've studied 5 languages other than my native English. That includes classical, scientific, and church Latin. The pronunciation of "Agnus" is never done this way in music. I also play pop and rock, but think his voice is coarse and strained. Just to be fair, I listened to this again, but still feel he should use a more traditional pronounciation of Agnus and a less Dylanesque vocal style.