The Cyber Hymnal ‎#186

186. Angels We Have Heard on High

1. Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Refrain
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song? [Refrain]

3. Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]

4. See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise. [Refrain]

5. Shepherds in the field abiding,
Tell us when the seraph bright
Greeted you with wondrous tiding,
What you saw and heard that night. [Refrain]

6. We beheld—it is no fable—
God incarnate, King of bliss,
Swathed and cradled in a stable,
And the angel strain was this: [Refrain]

7. Choristers on high were singing
Jesus and His virgin birth,
Heavenly bells the while a-ringing
Peace, good will to men on earth. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Angels we have heard on high
• Title: Angels We Have Heard on High
• French Title: Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes
• Translator (from French): James Chadwick
• Refrain First Line: Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
• Language: English
• Source: Traditional French carol; Crown of Jesus, 1862
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: GLORIA (Barnes)
• Arranger: Edward Shippen Barnes (1887-1958)
• Incipit: 33355 43323 53213
• Key: F Major
• Source: French carol melody
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: A different arrangement is used by "Hearken, All! What Holy Singing."