Let's not forget this was composed and written for Mr Wilkinson's voice for Les Miserables, not for another voice or vocal style. Hence it is actually his song, why do you think they let him end it in the 25th Anniversary show, because it's his song, and the other performers knew it, who else can sing it, like him ? No one !
my mum always said this was her song for me( in 1988 when i first heardit) never understood what all the fuss was about this song untill a few years ago and got to admit makes me cry every single time ,three weeks ago she had a massive stroke and find myself listening to this song constantly ,i do the night shift with her at the hospital and now its my turn to sing this to her everynight ,and through her pain she still smiles at this song with her eyes ,this is truly a remarkable song and only colm sings it like it should be sung (thats no disrespect to any of the others but its his song ) keep fighting mum x
I saw this show on Broadway the last night that he played the part of Valjean. Unbelievable experience. The man was crying singing this song. The applause for him wouldn't stop. One of the best nights I ever had on broadway. This was back in 1988.
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
The very first time the Les Mis production team debuted this song, the rest of the cast listened quietly while Colm sang it.
After the last note died away, you could hear a pin drop. Trevor Nunn broke the silence by saying, "I told you this show was all about God."
One of the cast replied:
"Yes...but you didn't tell us you'd gotten Him to sing it."
With respect to every other singer who has ever performed this, this really is the best version. Stunning control and tone.. no wonder the audience goes mad...(now to wipe away the tears)
No singer will ever sing this as well as Colm Wilkinson. I know other people have their favourite singers but sorry this will always be the best version
The summer my brother shipped to Basic Training, I played this song nearly every night, begging God He bring my baby brother home again.
Thank God my brother did come home safe, but then a few years later, I got a call that a dear family friend lost his battle to cancer. I was on a wildland fire crew at the time and I missed his funeral, but the night of his funeral, I played this song before I went to bed, knowing my friend went Home, too.