My goodness. Have you guys seen this? It is the PS22 Chorus, a group of 60 fifth graders in an underprivileged district of the New York public school system, performing Coldplay's song "Viva la Vida."

I happened upon this clip last night and have probably watched it at least ten times already. The song gets stuck in a loop in my head, and I hum it as I'm walking around the house and sitting at my desk and hanging out with Kirk. I can see the individual kids pop into my mind's eye as I do this, and I can't help but pray for them, wondering about their stories, their futures, what they may be facing in their lives outside this music room. I'm moved by their fire, their full involvement, their voices, their laughter, their innocence, their body language. I feel like I'm watching a church service of sorts, or listening to an angelic choir singing over all of us.

I can't help but give thanks for this kind of music program that is empowering these impressionable young kids, building up their confidence, giving them a place to belong, and drawing out their natural talent and ability. Mr. B. started this chorus to promote the value of music and the arts in the public school system, and, just through this one clip, he's made a believer out of me.

Here are the lyrics to the song they're singing . . . which, by the way, I've heard lots of churches are singing these days. I find this interesting, that Coldplay has made it into the halls of churches, but then I keep thinking about the line, "I used to rule the world . . . " and I think, "Yeah. I know about that. I used to rule the world, too, in my own small way. The way of Christ is teaching me to let my aggrandizement go."

Viva la Vida

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once, you know, there was never,
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh, who would ever want to be king?