Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Aretha Franklin (Holiday) Lyrics


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Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to a new born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled

Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ was born in Bethlehem

Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to a newborn King

Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the ever, everlasting Lord
Late in time, behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory, glory, glory to a new born King

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to a new born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners, sinners reconciled

Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ was born in Bethlehem

Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to a new born King
Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to a new born King





A new born King
A new born King

Overall Meaning

The song “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is one of the most loved and well-known Christmas songs that has been sung in churches across the world for centuries. Aretha Franklin's version is no exception, and her soulful interpretation of the carol is a wonderful blend of gospel and traditional hymn music that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.


The first verse of this song speaks of the glorious news of the birth of the Messiah, who will bring peace on earth and reconcile sinners to God. The angels are depicted as singing with joy and proclaiming the birth of Jesus to the entire world. The second verse praises Jesus as the ever-living Lord, who came to earth as a human being, born of a virgin. The concept of the incarnation, that God became flesh in the form of Jesus, is a central teaching of the Christian faith, and this verse stresses the importance of this event.


The third verse continues this theme, as it describes Jesus as the God-man, who was pleased to dwell among humanity. The chorus repeats the joyful proclamation of the first verse, and the song ends with the repeated refrain of “glory to a new-born king.” The meaning of this carol is clear: it is a joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Hark, the herald angels sing
Listen, the proclaiming messengers of God are singing


Glory to a new born King
Give honor and praise to the recently born King


Peace on earth and mercy mild
Let there be calmness and kindness amongst all people on earth


God and sinners reconciled
The relationship between God and those who have sinned is mended


Joyful, all ye nations, rise
All nations should rise up in happiness


Join the triumph of the skies
Celebrate the glory of the heavens


With the angelic host proclaim
Declare together with the heavenly beings


Christ was born in Bethlehem
The birth of Christ occurred in Bethlehem


Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ receives adoration from the highest level of the heavens


Christ, the ever, everlasting Lord
Christ is the eternal Lord who will always exist


Late in time, behold Him come
After a long period of waiting, He has finally arrived


Offspring of a Virgin's womb
He was born from a woman who had never been intimate with a man


Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
The divine nature is hidden within the physical body


Hail the incarnate Deity
Greet the God who has come in human form


Pleased as man with man to dwell
He is happy to live amongst humans as one of their own


Jesus, our Emmanuel
Jesus is our God who is always with us


Glory, glory, glory to a new born King
Give honor, praise, and acclaim to the recently born King


Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Praise God in exaltation and celebration


A new born King
A King who has been recently born


A new born King
A King who has been recently born




Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC D. DAWKINS, ANSON R. DAWKINS, ANTONIO LAMAR DIXON, CHARLES WESLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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