Northern Faith’s Caedmon’s Song Is a Lesson in the Power of Quiet Praise

By: Emmanuel Daraloye

The great alluring gospel music ‘Caedmon’s Song’ was released by the Northern Faith on March 7, 2024 with Mary Motolani as the vocalist and Tim Hunter as the music producer and composer. The title ‘Caedmon’s Song’ can be traced to an original historical inspiration, Caedmon, an Anglo-Saxon poet that used to compose Christian poetry in Old English, especially with his well known ‘Caedmon’s Hymn.’ Well, this is not a Caedmon’s Hymn but the ‘Caedmon Song’ where spirituality meets sonority.

The Caedmon’s Song opens with the sonorous voice of the vocalist, Mary Motolani opens with a lyrical request urging praises to God and also preaches to the listeners the power of praise till eternity. She sings on the first verse, praise to the keeper of the kingdom of heaven/ the power of the creator/. She sings beautifully along with the tender piano keys supporting the song background with an easygoing melody. In this first verse, the vocalist sings with a melodic emphasis on the existentialism of God and how eternal he is. She stresses her praise with simple diction and metaphors that symbolizes the celestial strength and presence of God in human lives.

The song moves quietly into the chorus, where the title ‘Caedmon’s Song’ was repeated calmly under the influence of the soft piano which was later accompanied by drum beats: this is Caedmon’s song/this is Caedmon’s song. The chorus was fast and swift as it was only repeated twice before the next verse came in. The vocalist understands the essence of the praise lies more in the verses, where the lyrics are stretched with praises unlike the chorus serving as a supporter and which must not be overemphasized.

In the second verse, unlike the first verse; the vocalist sings and urges appraisals for the guardian, a metonymy that can be used for the creator too. She sings, now we should praise the guardian of the heavenly kingdom/the might of the creator and his conception/. The vocalist, Mary Motolani keeps employing different metaphorical diction to describe the power of the creator. She sings further, the work of the glorious father/…eternal lives established/…for the children of men he makes us heaven as a roof/. This verse laid more emphasis on the relationship between the divine and his worshippers. The vocalist let us know the essence of man creation is for man himself, this she lyrically analyzed and described heaven as a roof made for the children of men. She made us understand how satisfying and undeniable it is to praise the creator who has gifted us such an eternal blessing and favour.

The chorus comes again and finalizes the entire song, this is Caedmon’s song/this is Caedmon’s song/this is Caedmon’s song. The vocalist closes the gospel song in a tranquil manner as the piano fades out too. The fact that Mary Omotolani is aware of how music doesn’t need to be stuffed with cumbersome lyrics or ambiguous diction especially when it comes to gospel music that everyone wants to feel, sing along, and share the bliss emitting from the lyrics is a great thing a gospel artist must accommodate.

The Caedmon’s song by the Northern Faith, with Mary Omotolani seraphic vocals and the carefree instrumental background and sound mix by Tim Hunter is a beautiful collaboration that births a celestial masterpiece. The simple urgency of the verses’ lyrics, the easy and welcoming transition into the brief chorus, and the piano keys ability to transform the song into a more inspirational music creates bliss and fulfillment to the listeners. Apart from being a great work of art, it is a superfluous song that speaks kindly of the divine power of God and the essence of the praise showered upon him.