Angels We Have Heard On High
And The Chorus Lyrics


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

[Chorus]
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

[Chorus]

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





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "Angels We Have Heard On High" is a Christmas carol that captures the essence of the nativity of Jesus Christ. The first verse talks about the angels that were heard singing sweetly over the plains and the mountains echoing with joyous strains. The chorus "Glor-Or-Or-Or-Or-Or, Or-Or-Or-Or-Or, Or-Or-Or-Or-Ria, In Excelsis Deo!" which means "Glory to God in the highest," is a proclamation of the birth of Jesus Christ and an exaltation to God.


The second verse of the lyrics questions the shepherds about their jubilation and asks them to explain the reason for their heavenly song. The third verse encourages people to go to Bethlehem, worship the infant Christ, and adore him on bended knee. The song emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ, his birth as the savior, and the joy it brings to people.


"Angels We Have Heard On High" is a well-known and widely sung Christmas carol all around the world. It was originally written in French as "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes" by an unknown author in the 18th century. It was translated into English by Bishop James Chadwick, a Roman Catholic Bishop in the mid-1800s.


Line by Line Meaning

Angels we have heard on high
We have heard angels singing sweetly over the plains.


Sweetly singing o'er the plains
The angels singing were delightful and melodious.


And the mountains in reply
The mountains echoed back in response.


Echos in their joyous strains
The echoes heard were from the joyous songs of the angels.


Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria
Glory to God in the highest.


In excelsis Deo!
Praise be to God on high!


Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why are the shepherds so full of joy?


Why your gladtime strain prolong?
Why are you extending your joyful song?


Say what may the tidings be?
What is the news that brings such joy?


Which inspire your heavenly song?
What has inspired your heavenly song?


Come to Bethl'em, come and see
Come to Bethlehem and see for yourself.


Whose birth the angels sing
The angels are singing about the birth of someone special.


Come, adore on bended knee
Come and worship, kneel before the newborn king.


The infant Christ, the newborn King
The newborn king is the infant Christ.




Lyrics © DISK EYES MUSIC

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

The Freak Timer

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

[Chorus]
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?

[Chorus]

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



All comments from YouTube:

RoboMint

This sounds just like the version I used to listen to on the radio as a kid. My absolute favorite Christmas song now and has been since I was a kid. It's just so beautiful.

Margaret Farmer

And it is so joyful and fun to sing!

Jeffrey Jackson

My favorite Christmas song and you all do it so well! Some say it might be a little early... But I don't think so. Very angelic! Thank you for sharing your talent. God bless!

Krystina Saragos

Damn. A little early? You’re three years too early, no? 😂😛

matthew 6 33

God bless you, i almost cry

The Freak Timer

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

[Chorus]
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?

[Chorus]

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

hemelinger77

By far best version I have found on youtube, finally!
Thanks a lot. Christmas can come.

ThundYT

Let us all be honest. This somehow came inside our heads and started looking for it.

Max Maere

This is the most beautiful version that I have heard.

vln1972

Very nice choir.....those sopranos are really really good.......

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