Official theme song
The World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 theme song, entitled “Há Pressa no Ar”, was released this Wednesday, 27th January. The song, inspired on the WYD Lisbon 2023 theme [«Mary rose up and went with haste (Lc1,39)»], is about the ‘yes’ of Mary and about her rush to meet her cousin Elizabeth, just like the Bible verse says.
“Há Pressa no Ar” has lyrics by João Paulo Vaz, a priest, and music by Pedro Ferreira, teacher, and musician, both from the Diocese of Coimbra, in the centre region of Portugal - interview with João Paulo Vaz and Pedro Ferreira here. The arrangements were made by the musician Carlos Garcia. The theme song was recorded in two versions: in Portuguese and in an international version that gathers five languages (Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and Italian).
When singing this theme song, the young people from all over the world are invited to identify themselves with Mary, making themselves available to the service, the mission and the transformation of the world. The lyrics also evokes the party of the WYD and the joy that comes from Jesus.
Lyrics | João Paulo Vaz, Matilde Trocado, Hugo Gonçalves (Pe).
Music | Pedro Ferreira
Arrangement | Carlos Garcia
Lyrics
From far and wide to gather in this place
We spread our wings and here we are,
And with Mary proclaiming our Yes
We seek to serve and follow the will
Of the Lord, our Father
Chiamati ad essere come Cristo Gesù,
Vogliamo dare, diventare,
Docili al sì, essere come Maria.
CHORUS:
Todos vão ouvir a nossa voz,
Levantemos braços, há pressa no ar.
Jesus vive e não nos deixa sós:
Não mais deixaremos de amar.
Tú que te buscas saber quién eres
parte a descubrir, ven a ver lo que vi.
Ven con nosotros a mirar más allá,
de lo que haces y que no te deja
reír y amar.
Oublie le passé, ne dis pas non.
Écoute donc ton coeur,
Et pars sans peur sur cette mission.
[Chorus]
È stata Maria ad accogliere per prima
La grande sorpresa della vita per sempre.
Fiduciosa e semplice, volle ricevere
il grande mistero di un Dio che è
Per te e per me
No puedo callar, no puedo dejar
de cantar: “Mi Señor,
cuenta conmigo, ¡no más callaré!”
[Chorus]
Sans aucun doute sur sa mission,
Si jeune, Marie quitte promptement
Sa maison et part dans les montagnes
Voir Elisabeth et trouve immédiatement
Salutation, communion.
Le fruit est béni, c'est mon Seigneur!
And I want to hear: You trusted in my word and happiness
is yours!
[Chorus]
Files to download
Audio | Version in portuguese
Audio | International version
Audio | Backing Track (portuguese)
Audio | Backing Track (international)
Sheet music | Version in portuguese
Sheet music | International version
Sheet music | Short version with chords diagrams for classic guitar
Sheet music | Short version with chords diagrams for voice and piano
Sheet music | Short version with chords diagrams for piano and organ
Regulation
Regulation for the use of the hymn “Há Pressa no Ar” of WYD Lisbon 2023 – download
For questions regarding the WYD Lisbon 2023 theme song, please contact: geral@lisboa2023.org