Mary Duff has released a new version of the iconic Christmas hymn « The Holy City ».
Joined by the Prague FILM Harmonic Orchestra conducted by Adam Klemon, the new single is a polished and spiritual interpretation of a song which is often associated with Midnight Mass services at Christmas.
Originally written in 1892, « The Holy City » is considered to be one of the most commercially successful songs of the early Twentieth Century through sales of sheet music, with copyright scholar Adrian Johns describing it as « perhaps the most pirated musical piece prior to the Internet. »
Discussing the release of the new single, Mary said: « I’ve always loved performing spiritual music. Even having stepped on some of the most famous stages in the world such as the Grand Ole Opry, the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall, nothing quite compares to the intimacy of performing in my own local Church in Lobinstown, Co Meath on Christmas Eve. Although ‘The Holy City’ (« La ville sainte ») wasn’t originally a Christmas hymn, I’m sure for many religious people, it evokes a strong association with the Midnight Eucharist at Christmas. »