Nigerian’s Song for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

As tributes poured in from world leaders, past and present venerating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 70 years on the throne, a song composed by a Nigerian Catholic Reverend Father, Vincent Chinemelu, has been selected as the song used to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth which began Thursday.

The second day of celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth’s three and a half decade reign began with members of the royal family, including Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attending a religious service at the famed St Paul’s Cathedral in central London on Friday.

The winning song titled, ‘A Life Lived With Grace’, is being sung across the globe as beacons are being lit in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. According to The Commonwealth Resounds, Chinemelu won the Song for the Commonwealth competition in January alongside lyricist Lucy Kiely from Australia.

Chinemelu, who hails from Anambra, a state in Southeast Nigeria, is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the piano, flute, cello, trumpet, alto sax and guitar. CNN reported that more than 400 people from all four nations of the United Kingdom were invited to the event recognizing the Queen’s lifetime of service. 

The congregation included key workers, teachers and public servants as well as representatives from the Armed Forces, charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.

The theme of Friday morning’s event, formally called “The National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen,” was public service. The Dean of St Paul’s, David Ison, led the service, which included Bible readings, prayers and congregational hymns to honor the Queen’s 70 years on the British throne.