A Welsh musician has released an award-winning song inspired by a famous Powys chapel.
Deborah Rose has released a new single ‘I Lift My Eyes To The Hills’ recorded in, and inspired by, the evocative and remote chapel of Capel-y-ffin.
The song won a national song writing competition and was released on the Winter Solstice, December 22.
Deborah discovered the chapel, which translates as ‘Chapel Of The Boundary’, after a day trip to Hay-on-Wye in May 2023. She set off on a sunset drive to Hay Bluff, over the Gospel Pass to the hamlet of Capel-y-ffin. Her car got stuck, she sought help and found it in an unexpected place.
“On that day I actually didn’t make it to the chapel because I ran out of fuel and I managed to find some help,” said Deborah.
The following week when arriving at the chapel she saw the fitting words: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help’, engraved on the East window by the sculptor Eric Gill.
“I actually had another incident with my car as well where I was actually in a car fire while touring in France,” said Deborah. “It was a miracle that I managed to get out of the car, which was another reinforcement of the gratitude of being kept safe.
“When I came back from that tour in Europe I thought I really want to record that song in the chapel by the window.”
Deborah set up camp in the chapel with cellist Sonia Hammond from Newchurch, a sound engineer and a cameraman.
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The song was recorded live in front of the engraved window with words from Psalm 121, which inspired the song’s chorus. The song celebrates nature, spirituality, love and the beauty of the Welsh countryside.
“I love the Black Mountains, and the mystery of the Welsh hills,” said Deborah. “When I finally made it to the chapel, after a failed attempt, it was a magical experience. I arrived just in time for Evensong and had a synchronistic encounter with two visitors from Seattle on a pilgrimage.”
Deborah is currently working on a new album for release in 2024 adding to an impressive body of work. She has toured with folk legend Judy Collins, US presidential candidate Marianne Williamson and American songwriter Jimmy Webb. She also appeared on BBC Radio 2 to commemorate the anniversary of the late singer Eva Cassidy.
Cassidy continues to inspire her alongside folk heroes Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. More recently she has performed with comedian and pianist Alistair McGowan.
Deborah also runs songwriting workshops in schools, prisons and care homes. She has also worked in Uganda writing and recording songs with women and children in rural villages.
In July 2023, Deborah was invited to take part in the national ‘Totally Psalmic’ Competition, the aim of the competition being to rewrite a psalm as a song for a modern audience. ‘I Lift My Eyes To The Hills’ took first prize, inspiring Deborah to record it for release as her next single.
Deborah performs with cellist Sonia Hammond in St Mary’s Church, Hay on Wye, on Saturday February 24.
You can hear more of Deborah's work here
For tickets please visit Eventbrite or email deb@deborahrose.co.uk
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