"From the Inside"

New CD from the Prisoners Choir

They’re known as the “Prisoners Choir”, the male inmates of Vridsloeselille State Prison in west Copenhagen who for the last 15 years have sung at the Sunday service in prison. Their CD “Criminal Album” from 2004 created quite a stir and led to the choir performing outside prison on a leave-of-absence basis. They see these performances as part of their resocialisation, which is also helped by a number of freed prisoners continuing to sing in the choir. The choir’s protector is the well-known actress, Lone Hertz, whose encouragement and fundraising have led to the recording studio and to the choir’s support for a children’s charity through CD royalties. Now they have just released a new CD, “From the Inside”.

 

On the last Thursday in every month the Prisoners Choir also run a cultural afternoon inside the prison called Cafe Exit, a project which they helped to set up in 2007. As the name suggests, this is primarily for prisoners about to re-enter society, and to this end the choir are supported by the prison chaplains and the nearby Church of the Apostles. 

 

From prisoner to verger
In 2008 the choir’s conductor, Louise Adrian, received the ”Fiery Soul of the Year” award for her outstanding energy and leadership, which has not only helped to change lives but also to inspire choir members to write their own lyrics, to which she adds the music. On the choir’s new CD there is a track written in English by the Faeroese ex-prisoner, Bergur Nilssen:

 

HELP ME GOD 
Tekst: Bergur Nilssen Musik: Louise Adrian 

Sitting in a cell
Staring empty 
Cannot find a reason to survive
Feeling sad, 
Feeling down, 
Emptiness all around 
Help me, God, help me God!

Looking at myself.
Don’t like what I see 
Someone who has failed 
And pays a high price 
Have no joy 
Have no hope 
Have no love for myself 
Help me God!

But when You’re here 
Close to me, God 
Darkness disappears 
for crevices of light 
Gives me faith, 
Gives me hope 
of forgiveness from You 
Thank you God, 
Thank you God

In April 2011, after serving his sentence, Bergur Nilssen was appointed verger at Apostle Church.

 

By Edward Broadbridge

Illustration by Bill Frank Alexander Design at www.sxc.hu

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