What does it mean to sing 1,000-year-old chants in the middle of New York City? In one of the trendiest, zippiest zip codes on the planet? Chant happens all around us; people from all cultures and faith traditions chant--in New York, you hear chant in yoga classes and taxi cabs, rock shows and churches. Our music is a statement about finding timelessness and universality, despite our specific time and place. The Gotham Chant recording project is based on the chants we sing at the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. We call it Gotham Chant, alluding to our SoHo (downtown Manhattan) location; the moniker Gotham dates from 1807, shortly before the cornerstone of the Basilica was laid in 1809. This particular recording is an Irish hymn we sing at our annual Irish language Mass with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and other organizations. St. Patrick is the patron of the Basilica and of the Archdiocese of New York. In this recording, the incomparable Patrick Connolly sings with power and beauty, making full use of the Basilica's acoustics. Patrick sang with the famous Irish group Anuna, and was in Riverdance on Broadway. Jared Lamenzo, playing the magnificent 1868 Henry Erben pipe organ, provides the drone. Lyrics: Bí, a Íosa, im' chroídh-se i gcuimhne gach uair, Bí, a Íosa, im' chroídh-se le h-aithrighe go luath, Bí, a Íosa, im' chroídh-se le cumann go buan, ó, a Íosa, 'Dhé dhílis, ná sgar, Thusa, uaim. Gan Íosa mo smuainte ní thaithnigheann liom féin, Gan Íosa mo sgríbhinn, no foghar mo bhéil; Gan Íosa mo ghníomha ní maith in san tsaoghal, ó, a Íosa, 'Dhé dhílis, bí romham is am dhéidh. 'Sé Íosa mo Rí-se, mo Chara is mo ghrádh; 'Sé Íosa mo dhídean ar pheacaidh is ar bhás, 'Sé Íosa mo aoibhneas, mo sgáthán do ghnáth, A's, a Íosa, 'Dhé dhilis, ná sgar uaim go bráth. Bí, a Íosa, go síorraídhe im' chroídh-se is im' bhéal, Bí, a Íosa, go síorraídhe im' thuigse mar an gcéadn', Bí, a Íosa, go síorraídhe im' mheabhair mar léigheann, ó, a Íosa, 'Dhé dhílis, ná fág mé liom féin. Be, o Jesus, in my heart, And each hour, be recalled. Be, o Jesus, in my heart, For repentance when I fall. Be, o Jesus, in my heart, Be my companion constantly; So, o Jesus, faithful God, Oh never, never part from me. Without Jesus, all my thoughts Are unpleasant ones for me. Without Jesus, all I write Dies in my mouth silently. Without Jesus, all I do Does nothing good in life, I find. So, o Jesus, faithful God, Go both before me and behind. He is Jesus, my dear King, My beloved and my friend. He is Jesus, my defense; Sin and death -- He makes them end. He is Jesus, my delight, Mirror to show me my true face. So, o Jesus, faithful God, Oh never leave me; I need grace. Be, o Jesus, evermore In my mouth and in my heart. Be, o Jesus, evermore Also in my mind and thought. Be, o Jesus, evermore In all I learn and all I'm shown. So, o Jesus, faithful God, Oh do not leave me here alone. Feel free to send us comments at info@urbanchantrecords.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Recorded at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, New York City Produced by Jared Lamenzo and Joshua South for Urban Chant Records Recorded by Malcolm Addey Mastered by Nate Wood at Kerseboom Mastering