Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Andrew Carwood and Simon Johnson and St. Paul's Cathedral 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.
The song starts with the herald angels singing about the newborn King and spreading the message of peace and mercy on earth. The angels invite all nations to join in the celebration and share the news that Christ has been born in Bethlehem. The chorus repeats the phrase ‘Glory to the newborn King,’ emphasizing the joyous occasion and the greatness of the child who has just been born.
The second verse is a continuation of the first praise and adoration of Christ, who is considered the everlasting Lord and is adored by the highest heavens. He is born late in time, fulfilling the prophecy of the virgin birth, and hailed as the incarnate Deity. The verse further elaborates on how Christ came to earth as man to dwell among his people as Emmanuel. The final lines proclaim him as the Prince of Peace and the Sun of Righteousness who brings light and life to all.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! Angels sent to proclaim the arrival of the King of Glory are singing,
‘Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’
The angels sing to glorify and honor the newly born King, who brings peace and mercy to the world and reconciles God with sinners.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
All people around the world should feel glad and uplifted,
join the triumph of the skies;
Come together to celebrate the victory of the heavens,
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
Announce joyfully alongside the angelic hosts,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’
That Jesus, the Savior, has been born in Bethlehem.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Angels continue to sing in celebration,
‘Glory to the newborn King.’
Giving glory to the newborn King, once again.
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Christ is the Lord who is highly admired in the heavens and who exists forever.
late in time behold him come,
Behold, he has come at a later time.
offspring of a virgin’s womb: veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Born of a virgin, but also God in human form,
hail th’incarnate Deity,
Rejoice in God who has taken on human form,
pleased as man with man to dwell,
God was pleased to live among humankind as one of us,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Jesus, who is also known as Emmanuel, is here with us.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Salute the Prince of Peace who has been born in heaven!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
He brings light and life to everyone.
risen with healing in his wings.
He is risen and carries healing within him.
Mild he lays his glory by,
He relinquishes his divine glory with gentleness.
born that man no more may die,
Born to free humanity from death.
born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to lift humanity up from our earthly existence.
born to give us second birth.
Born to give us a new life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FELIX MENDELSSOHN, JAMIE ARGON, RORY MARSDEN, WILLIAM H. CUMMINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind