John Tavener - Funeral Canticle (The Tree of Life) FULL VERSION 

Until I listened to this piece, I was unaware that music could make a grown man weep.

One of the most beautiful choral pieces that I've heard in my life. John Tavener was a real genius composer!

Why do people "thumb down" masterpieces such as this? Music like this is cathartic and essential for relaxation and healing. I'd have to be a Satanist to dislike this, but even then, I believe anyone could appreciate the beauty in this composition. Tavener was brilliant in that manner. This piece is nearly a facsimile of the praises that angels sang to God. Thank you Tivizzz for posting this.

The first time I heard this song, was when my friend showed me the the tree of life video with this song. I started sobbing, and when the video was done, my friend asked why I was crying, and I told her that I wasn't sure why. I tried putting into words what I was feeling. Wendell Berry has a poem called "The Peace Of The Wild Things", he says that when he's frustrated or nervous about the world or his children's future, he goes out by the water, in nature. The beauty draws him from his fears and into the present moment; and he rests in the peace of the wild things. This song, gives me that same peace, only it's reached a very far chasm of despair I have had over death. Though I'm uncertain about many things, the rhetoric of this song, Malick's film, and the peace of the wild things have given me a deep hope. I have heard this song many times now, and every time I start crying.

In each person, differently, the Father calls. To some it is a clear a joy or a pain, to some it is the sea, to others it is the grief behind this melody, and frankly, these people are blessed by the ease of clear calling. But I think to most of us, it is some whisper, a murmur...from some corner of our lives, a gentle beckon, sometimes almost imperceptible....a void, a lacking...it gnaws quietly at us no matter how much we pursue the surface...the lack persists...and through this, He beckons.

John, you slipped right through my fingers, yet God holds your soul. And say, what would Heaven's orchestra be without you?

I have listened to this over and over and over again since Tree of Life's showing with a live orchestra. One of the aspects of it that haunts me is that it has the rhythm, the cadence of the soft breath - in and out - of someone lying next to you, sleeping in graceful peace untouched in a world of serenity.

I like to think this is what you hear when angels come to carry you to heaven when you die...... Amazing...

This is why the internet is great. This piece right here. Without the internet I would never have heard this absolutely awesome (and by "awesome" i truly mean the feeling of being in awe) and fantastic piece of music. It is so perfectly emotional. It strikes a nerve and seeps into my soul whether I want it to or not. It sorrounds me and renders me incapable of even imagining anything more beautiful other than the vastness of life and existence in this universe of everything.

"How did you come to me? Under what disguise?" That line always destroys me in the tree of life movie. Fills me with gratitude

Simply beautiful and uplifting even for a non-believer.

Bye dad! Rest in peace

RIP John Tavener... - Another true loss for humanity

No need of churchy words to make this any sweeter. It resonates with spiritual splendor. Tavener's work is so underappreciated.

I cant believe it RIP John Tavener a brilliant and awesome composer! Funeral Canticle the soundtrack of Tree of life will stay with me for ever! =(

I grew up singing in the children's choir of a Catholic church. Although I had a great childhood in that Church, as I grew into adult, bit by bit the dogma of Catholicism has fallen away from me, so that by most definitions, I am not Catholic anymore. Yet, I must say I believe in a god or, at least, the universe; things which are greater than us. Hearing music like this seems to bring me closer to that greatness. I can't say I am a religious person, but music makes me a spiritual one.

May your memory be eternal, dear brother, worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.

I think this may truly be my favorite song of all time. Whenever I listen to it, I feel closer to God, every time. I could be having a bad day, or even a good day, and when I turn this on, it just brings me to another place I very rarely ever feel in. At 2:22 it gives me chills everytime, and gives me such a calming peace, and an appreciation for life and how lucky I still am to be alive. Thank you for this Mr. Tavener.

goosebumps, nostalgia, youth sentiment and everything in between.

"For John Tavener, mortality is a knot in a string whose ends extend forever in both directions, and while virtually all of his works have an air of prayerfulness to them, in memoriam works such as the Funeral Canticle afford the opportunity for deep musical and poetic rumination on the duration of life and the infinity of existence. The Funeral Canticle is one of two works inspired by the passing of the composer's father." FC appears in Eternity's Sunrise (1999).

Memory Eternal to you Sir John! Thank You for being a conduit through which we could hear the music of heaven... One day, you and Terence Malick will converse about this piece of sublime music.

There are no words to describe how beautiful this is. RIP Sir John.

If a more beautiful piece of music has ever been composed, I have not heard it.

i just find out about Sir. John Tavener...RIP It does not matter that U belong to which religion(I am Muslim), this music is purely amazing, like a white blood in our souls...

His works have unmistakable quality don't they?

So rare for a composer to invoke true feeling and movement in the heart.

i've never heard something as beautiful as this piece of music

So, so very beautiful. Tavener being gone is such a tragedy because his was some of the most stunning work ever created.

Every time i listen to this, i feel like there is still goodness in the world.

Vale, John Tavener. You composed some of the most affecting and thoughtful music I have ever heard. This piece remains a favourite.

It's stunning how this makes you think of think of all the complexities of life and yet makes you contemplate the most simplest and purest of things too.

Rest in Peace Sir John.

So THAAAATS why the movie is so highly rated

Sometimes I need a rest from listening to music , even magnificent pieces can lose their brilliance - and then you discover something like this and all the beauty is restored!

Holding my baby in my arms, feeling the love, hard not to cry...

Tavener was deeply influenced by the spiritual depth of the Orthodox Church as this piece of music evidently shows - it starts and ends with the Byzantine hymn "Αιωνία η μνήμη", i.e. "Memory eternal" in Greek.

Rest in peace. Thank you for your divine music.

How can anybody click on the dislike button? This is BEAUTIFUL! This is truth, naked and whole..

I bought the recording "Eternity's Sunrise" in college, which included this recording as well on the album. I can't begin to say how influential it was. Tavener's connection to the Orthodox Church supplied him with deep and rich inspiration.

Wonderful music and so apt as John Taverner died today. R.I.P. thank you for finding and uploading. XXX

Its just a gorgeous piece. It just hits the soul.

So profound and spiritual. Somehow healing

"Guide us...into the light..."

This has to be one of my favorite songs of all time. First heard it in The Tree of Life and will stay with me forever.

I feel like "The Tree of Life" transcribes, in all possible aspects, my life and my worldview in such natural way that makes me cry during the whole movie. Everything is recapituled by this beautiful music and the situations in the film we can hear it.

In high school I had to go to cathedral services several times a week due to my school's policies, and while I was never interested in religion in the slightest, I was always excited for the quire to sing. This sort of music made and still makes me feel peacefull and calm. Very beautiful.

My opinion to express the universe and mystery of all life. There is no word to describe it. It will always be a mystery, that's what the word may be the MYSTERY...

Just discover this by watching the Tree of Life movie , yesterday - This is incredible music that touches one's soul.....

I used to live one block from the house in that film in Smithville, Texas.

I'm obsessed with this song. Tried to find a composition of this qualities and still can not find it. Heard it every night before going to sleep.

Only one possible response remained when I learned that Robin Williams was dead: to go and listen to John Tavener.

Music touches that which lies beyond the reach of words. The eternal radiance of light divine...

So pure and comforting

All the words in the world would would fail in an instant trying to describe this piece of art.

Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη We are born as naked infants, Then baptized into Christ our God. Rocks and shoals of life beset us, Washed in waters of our Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. [Kliros:] ｢What earthy sweetness remaineth unmixed with grief? What glory standeth immutable on earth? All things are but shadows most feeble, But most deluding dreams. Yet one moment only, And death shall supplant then all. But in the light of thy countenance, Oh Christ, and in the sweetness of thy beauty, Give rest to him whom thou hast chosen, Because thou lovest mankind.｣ Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη We must run the course that tempts us. With the idols of the world, Yet we have our Lord and Master, And His Mother for our shield. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. [Kliros] Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Grant, Oh Lord, in love unceasing, Rest to him now lying here. Grant him rest among the faithful, In the life beyond compare. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. [Kliros) Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία αὐτοῦ ἡ μνήμη

Boy, you ain't lyin! Where was this miracle 50 years ago? Hell, I'd'a been smarter than God by now if it'd been around when I was very young. Most of what I've learned, read, heard, experienced has been since the 'net hit. It's such a quantum leap in education, etc. I think people just don't know! It's the Library of Congress at your fingertips, the oracle with the answer to your every question, every song and video that you'll ever want! It made me a connoisseur of fine music for sure!!!

Blessed is the mind that first encompassed such music.

I love how this movie, despite its clear and blatant assertion that we have evolved, still leaves our modern status as an unknown resting, neither fully developed or primitive. The only thing i believe in is the power of love. If you trust it, and if you build a life around it, you grow, and evolve. How much is obviously limited to a lifetime.. but every drop of water creates a ripple, even in the largest bodies of water. I love this piece and film, it evokes such strong emotions.. truly blessed

RIP Sir.

This acapela sounds just like angels singing on sky whit a beautiful echo...sometimes I remember my chilhood listening to this...God bless your soul Sir John Tavener

Breathtaking

Sublime. One of humanity's greatest achievements.

Thanks for your efforts. This music is a calling for greater reflexions.

Requiem in peace John Tavener

Another day In Paradise

I've just found this from watching the film 'The Light between Oceans'. what a beautiful piece of music. it's life nothing I've ever heard in my life'. Utterly gorgous.

There's a lot of beauty that can be found in religion, and a lot of life lessons that can be learned from it even if you don't believe in it. Tavener deserves to have his beliefs respected for giving the world something this incredible.

This song could be 23 hours long. Try listening to this when you are felling asleep.

No other piece of music, I have listened to so far, describes heaven more intensely than this.

Proof that modern music can be beautiful!

Some of the comments here give me faith in music as a profession, speaking as a musician myself. I sometimes think it can only intoxicate the senses and not point beyond them, but maybe I'm wrong

A mans heart has heard two ways through life, the way of nature and the way of grace. You have to choose which one you'll follow.

Amazing!! Thanks for the upload, I will definitely look into more of his works!

R.I.P Sir John Tavener

Perfect illustration. This song captures the mood of Dante's works quite well.

I listened to this on loop. Very beautiful and inspiring.

Truly magical touching song

I looked online for the text. My heart hurts over these words: lyricstranslate.com/en/john-tavener-funeral-canticle-lyrics.html#ixzz47YL01oOQ (Solo singer) Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη (bass and treble duet) We are born as naked infants, Then baptized into Christ our God. Rocks and shoals of life beset us, Washed in waters of our Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (SATB choir and strings) [Kliros:] ｢What earthy sweetness remaineth unmixed with grief? What glory standeth immutable on earth? All things are but shadows most feeble, But most deluding dreams. Yet one moment only, And death shall supplant then all. But in the light of thy countenance, Oh Christ, and in the sweetness of thy beauty, Give rest to him whom thou hast chosen, Because thou lovest mankind.｣ (Soloist) Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη (duet) We must run the course that tempts us, With the idols of the world, Yet we have our Lord and Master, And His Mother for our shield. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (SATB/Strings) [Kliros] (Soloist) Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη (Duet) Grant, Oh Lord, in love unceasing, Rest to him now lying here. Grant him rest among the faithful, In the life beyond compare. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (SATB/Stringe) [Kliros] (Soloist) Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία αὐτοῦ ἡ μνήμη

Listening to this song makes me feel free

In the style of the Renaissance. John Tavener is a living British composer, not to be confused with John Taverner, who composed in the 16th century. A recording of this piece is on a CD of Taverner's music, "Eternity's Sunrise."

This is the creation of someone(john)R.I.P who was gazed upon like a lighthouse beam passing through this galaxy's solar system, touched by a greater force than can ever be imagined.The bond of true love earth and the heavens this creation of JOHN TAVENER beautiful!

Way to go Tivizz. No matter if you believe in a God or not, beauty is a gift we can all enjoy. Thank you for allowing us to listen to such a piece -

I am not religious and I have little love for Christianity or Catholicism coming from a Catholic school background. I do have my own perspective on spirtuality, eternity, and the soul. Something in Taveners music transcends all that for me. It's so beautiful, intricate, and sincere that not only can I empathise with it, I can respect his perspective and beliefs. This music makes me feel healed.

John Tavener moves me so much, I can't explain how this music wrings me. It gives me such sorrow, such pain but such peace as well, I don't understand it.

It, for me, has strains of those Armenian Christian chants. Hauntingly beautiful. I feel the tiring dross and frantic pace of life in the 21st century washed over by something beyond time and steadfast. Something deep deep within me resonates

from 2:22... it moves me to tears. It's so tragic and beautiful. I sense a lot of depth in the piece. I cannot even put into words what it does to me.

How can the choir sing this without sobbing and losing control of their voice? I can't speak listening to this. Desperately beautiful and stark. Pärt should have written his lament. Only he could match Tavener's skill.

J'aimerai me rassembler avec tous mes semblables devant ce chant et pleurer avec eux. Ensuite viendra la paix, j'en suis sûre.

Thanks for uploading this, even if it's hurtful

I imagine all the saints in Heaven singing this with perfect harmony as they glorify God and pray for the holy souls in Purgatory

Tivizzz thanks a lot for uploading.. This Version is so much better than the OST Version! Thanks for this job..

Thanks for this! It will be a part of my Tree of Life collection that I've been hunting down. Amazing stuff!

A beautiful end to a beautiful story. Tragic song to fit many more life long happenings~~

Every step that you take is important, every word that you read, an ocean of self knowledge, understanding is incomprehensible, knowing is undermined, belief is lost but not the mysticisms in each of us, we are incomprehensible, our impossibility makes us infinite, be infinite, be forever, be grand, be minute in your stature but never in your thinking, to be small is to be of no effect, to think small is sacrilege, to the universe, to yourself, which is to say, I repeat myself

christian inspired art is quite simply the best and it's not a coincidence as to why. The beauty of the narrative and the message translates into the art through the inspired artist. You can hear theology in the music. You can see it in the sculptures, the paintings, the architecture.

I'm so sad when I'm listening this gift from heaven. I don't know why but I love this sadness, that's makes me such calm, such good, I'm between God and myself. I feel angel's songs, I'm as their. I just want to be in paradise, in accordance with this extraordinary and sublime marvel that are this singing and most of the religious' singings. They raise the soul and make it closer to God and to the perfection. Miles times thank you. In SAECULA SAECULORUM, AMEN.

Here is the lyrics - Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη (means Memory Eternal) Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη We are born as naked infants, Then baptized into Christ our God. Rocks and shoals of life beset us, Washed in waters of our Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. [Kliros:] ｢What earthy sweetness remaineth unmixed with grief? What glory standeth immutable on earth? All things are but shadows most feeble, But most deluding dreams. Yet one moment only, And death shall supplant then all. But in the light of thy countenance, Oh Christ, and in the sweetness of thy beauty, Give rest to him whom thou hast chosen, Because thou lovest mankind.｣ Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη We must run the course that tempts us, With the idols of the world, Yet we have our Lord and Master, And His Mother for our shield. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. [Kliros] Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Grant, Oh Lord, in love unceasing, Rest to him now lying here. Grant him rest among the faithful, In the life beyond compare. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. [Kliros] Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Αἰωνία αὐτοῦ ἡ μνήμη

Beautiful, a medicine for the mind.

RIP Sir John

"Glory be to God for All Things."