You remember that moment in 2009, right? The messy hair, the gold lace dress, and that voice that basically cracked the internet in half before "going viral" was even a polished term. Most people link Susan Boyle forever to Les Misérables, but if you ask the die-hard fans—the ones who followed her past the Britain’s Got Talent stage—they’ll tell you the real magic happened with a prayer.
Specifically, Susan Boyle Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.
It’s a song that shouldn't have worked for a pop superstar. It’s a hymn. A prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. It’s the kind of thing you hear in a drafty church on a Tuesday morning, not something that moves millions of units. Yet, Susan’s version became a definitive recording. It wasn't just a track on an album; it became a staple of her live sets, including a massive performance for the Pope.
The Performance for Pope Benedict XVI
Let's talk about 2010. Imagine the pressure. Susan was standing in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow. There are 65,000 people staring at her. Oh, and Pope Benedict XVI is sitting right there.
She sang three songs that day, but "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" was the one that felt like it belonged to the Scottish soil. She wasn't just "Subo" the reality TV star anymore. She was a woman singing a prayer she’d likely known since she was a kid in West Lothian.
It was raw.
👉 See also: Nothing to Lose: Why the Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins Movie is Still a 90s Classic
If you watch the footage, she’s not doing the vocal gymnastics you see on The Voice. She’s just... singing. Honestly, that’s why it works. The song is about humility—"It is in pardoning that we are pardoned"—and Susan’s whole brand is built on that "ordinary person with an extraordinary gift" vibe.
Where Did This Song Actually Come From?
Here’s a fun bit of trivia for your next pub quiz: St. Francis of Assisi probably didn't write those words.
I know, I know. It’s always attributed to him. But historians have actually traced the text back to a small French magazine called La Clochette in 1912. It didn't even mention St. Francis. It was an anonymous "beautiful prayer." It only got linked to the saint around 1920 when a French priest printed it on the back of a picture of St. Francis.
The version Susan sings was set to music by Sebastian Temple in 1967. Temple was a South African composer who became a huge deal in the "folk mass" movement of the 60s. He wanted music that felt like a conversation, not a lecture.
Susan’s team was smart to pick it. It fits her range perfectly. It’s a ballad that breathes. On her holiday album The Gift, which dropped in late 2010, this track was the emotional anchor. While everyone else was doing "Jingle Bells," she was giving us a plea for peace.
✨ Don't miss: How Old Is Paul Heyman? The Real Story of Wrestling’s Greatest Mind
Why It's Trending Again in 2026
You might have noticed Susan's name popping up a lot lately. After a few years of staying quiet—largely due to her recovering from a stroke in 2022—she’s making a massive comeback.
She’s actually booked for her first-ever festival appearance in August 2026. She’ll be at the Summer’s End Angus festival in Scotland, performing alongside the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Can you imagine the bagpipes kicking in during her set?
Fans are going back to the old tracks, and "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" is the one getting the most "recovery" playlists. It’s a song about finding light in the darkness, which hits a bit different when you know the singer herself had to relearn how to speak and sing after a medical scare.
Breaking Down the Lyrics
The song follows a very specific "negative to positive" structure:
- Hatred becomes Love.
- Injury becomes Pardon.
- Doubt becomes Faith.
- Despair becomes Hope.
Susan sings these transitions with a kind of weary optimism. It doesn't sound like a naïve kid; it sounds like a woman who has seen the "darkness" and "sadness" the lyrics mention.
🔗 Read more: Howie Mandel Cupcake Picture: What Really Happened With That Viral Post
The Recording Process: Steve Mac’s Magic
The track was produced by Steve Mac. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the guy behind hits for Ed Sheeran and P!nk. Usually, he’s making radio bangers. But with Susan, he stripped everything back.
The arrangement uses a soft choir and light orchestration. It never overwhelms her. You can hear every intake of breath. That’s a choice. In the world of Auto-Tune, hearing a singer’s breath is like a thumbprint. It proves it’s real.
How to Listen to It Today
If you’re looking for the best version, skip the grainy YouTube rips from 2009. Go for the remastered version on The Gift or the Ten anniversary collection.
Interestingly, the song has seen a 40% spike in streaming on platforms like Spotify whenever there’s a major global conflict. People use it as a sort of digital meditation. It’s become a "secular hymn"—you don't have to be Catholic or even religious to get the vibe. You just have to want things to be a little less chaotic.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to experience the "Susan Boyle effect" properly, here’s how to dive in:
- Watch the Bellahouston Park footage: It’s the definitive live version. You can see the wind whipping around and the genuine emotion on her face.
- Compare versions: Listen to Sinéad O’Connor’s version (which she did for a Princess Diana tribute) and then Susan’s. Sinéad is haunting and fragile; Susan is sturdy and comforting.
- Check out the 2026 Festival: If you're in the UK, the Summer’s End Angus festival in August 2026 is going to be a "where were you" moment for Scottish music.
- Create a "Peace" Playlist: Pair this track with her version of "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." It’s basically a 15-minute blood-pressure lowerer.
Susan Boyle didn't just sing a song; she claimed a prayer. Whether she’s performing for a Pope or a field full of festival-goers in Angus, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" remains the heart of her catalog. It's the song that reminds us that even when the world is loud and messy, there's always room for a little bit of quiet.