Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Andre Kostelanetz/St. Killian Boys' Choir Lyrics
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‘Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’ Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’ Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King.’
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb: veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give us second birth.
In this classic Christmas carol, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, the lyrics speak of the joy felt around the world upon the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse focuses on the angels singing and declaring "Glory to the newborn King" and also emphasizes the importance of peace on earth and that this miraculous event allowed God and sinners to be reconciled. The second verse further emphasizes the importance of Christ, who is "adored" by the highest levels of heaven as the "everlasting Lord." The lyrics proclaim that even though Jesus was born late in time, his birth is a miracle, as he is the "offspring of a virgin's womb." The verse also highlights the significance of Jesus being both fully God and fully human ("veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th'incarnate Deity"), and “pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel” which means “God is with us”. The final verse declares Jesus as the "Prince of Peace" and the "Sun of Righteousness". The lyrics signify that through Christ's birth, "light and life" are brought upon the world, and he brings healing and salvation to humanity. In conclusion, the lyrics of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing are an inspiring declaration of the joy and peace that the birth of Jesus brought to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The angels who bring good news sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’
'Give glory to the new King who brings peace and mercy to Earth, reconciling God and sinners!'
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
All nations, rise up full of joy,
join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
Join the celebration happening in the heavens; proclaim along with the angelic hosts,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’
'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The angels who bring good news sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King.’
'Give glory to the new King!'
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Christ is adored by the highest heaven, Christ is the eternal Lord,
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb: veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
See God, who was wrapped in flesh, come to us late in time from the womb of a virgin;
hail th’incarnate Deity, pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Jesus is our Emmanuel, praised as both divine and human, who was willing to live among us as a man.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Greet the Prince of Peace, born from heaven!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
He brings light and life to all, and heals all those in need.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give us second birth.
He humbly puts his glory aside, born so that humanity may not die forever, born to raise the children of earth and give us new life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FELIX MENDELSSOHN, JAMIE ARGON, RORY MARSDEN, WILLIAM H. CUMMINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind