Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Boney James Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hark, the Herald Angels sing
"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 the angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark, the Herald Angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"

Hail, the Heaven born Prince of peace
Hail, the Son of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
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 them second birth

Hark, the Herald Angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"

Hark, the Herald Angels sing
"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 the angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark, the Herald Angels sing




"Glory to the newborn King"
"Glory to the newborn King"

Overall Meaning

The song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," written by Charles Wesley in 1739, is a hymn that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics are full of religious imagery and reveal the joy felt by the angels, the masses, and the great event's significance. The first verse begins with the angels' proclamation to "glory in the newborn king" and to enjoy peace, suggested by the word mild. The joy is contagious, and all people are invited to rise and join the chorus of praise.


The second verse continues the celebration, stating that Jesus Christ is the Heaven-born prince of peace who brings light and life to all. The suggestion is that Christ has risen with healing in his wings and offers hope to people that they might have new life eternal. In the last verse, Christ is called to humility as he is born to die, to offer the second birth, making any man who believes in him born anew.


This rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Boney James is a contemporary adaptation and is gloriously orchestrated with a saxophone. James's saxophone sings throughout the rendition, giving an out of the ordinary approach to the traditional delivery of the song. One can reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus while meditating on this solemn-yet-blissful saxophone delivery. The contemporary mastermind creates an unmistakable blend of praise and jazz that's enticing and can attract a wider audience compared to old sacred hymns.


Furthermore, it is fascinating to note that the song's lyrics have gone through numerous modifications over time. For instance, Wesley's original verse, "Hark! how all the welkin rings / Glory to the King of Kings," has been altered to the popular version we know today: "Hark! The Herald Angels sing / Glory to the New-born King."


Line by Line Meaning

Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Listen closely, as the celestial messengers announce with song


"Glory to the newborn King"
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler


Peace on earth and mercy mild
Harmony and compassion for humanity


God and sinners reconciled
The divine and those who have deviated from righteousness are now in harmony


Joyful, all ye nations rise
With happiness and exultation, all people come together


Join the triumph of the skies
Celebrate the joyful victory in the heavens


With the angelic host proclaim
Make known with the heavenly messengers


"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
The Anointed One has been born in the city of David


Hail, the Heaven born Prince of peace
Welcome the adopted royalty of heaven who brings harmony


Hail, the Son of righteousness
Welcome the offspring of justice and morality


Light and life to all He brings
He brings illumination and existence to all


Risen with healing in His wings
Rising with reparative power in his heavenly appendages


Mild He lays His glory by
Gently and humbly he relinquishes his splendor


Born that Man no more may die
Born to end humanity's cycle of mortality


Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to elevate humanity


Born to give them second birth
Born to grant them a new start


Glory to the newborn King
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler


Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Listen closely, as the celestial messengers announce with song


"Glory to the newborn King"
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler


Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Listen closely, as the celestial messengers announce with song


"Glory to the newborn King"
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler


Peace on earth and mercy mild
Harmony and compassion for humanity


God and sinners reconciled
The divine and those who have deviated from righteousness are now in harmony


Joyful, all ye nations rise
With happiness and exultation, all people come together


Join the triumph of the skies
Celebrate the joyful victory in the heavens


With the angelic host proclaim
Make known with the heavenly messengers


"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
The Anointed One has been born in the city of David


Hark, the Herald Angels sing
Listen closely, as the celestial messengers announce with song


"Glory to the newborn King"
Praise and honor to the recently arrived royal ruler




Writer(s): Ray Bunch, David Delargy, John F. Coates, Chris Rice, Jessica Simpson, Alec Gould, James W. Olander, Makhosini Mnguni, Michael Damien Hedges, Bob Miller, Martin O'hagan, Salli Isaak, David T. Clydesdale, Mike Post, Eugene O'hagan, Sandile Khemese, Douglas Smith, Jim Hammerly, William Kyle White, Paul Iii Wright, Roger Wagner, James B. Studer, Marty Parks, Steve Skinner, lee H. Groitzsch, Carol Tornquist, Thamsanqa Khemese, Daniel Carl Holter, Felix Mendelssohn, Cedric Carl Dent, Arif Mardin, Nat King Cole, Bob Dylan, Douglas Gamley, Jeff Anderson, Donald Mcclurkin, Bill Cantos, Edith Bergdahl, Bill Wolaver, Frank Mizen, Charles Wesley, Felix J. L. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Reuben Khemese Copyright: Bridge Building Music, Universal Music Publishing, Soundcast Music, Seven Summits Music, Network Music, Decca Music Group Ltd., Chappell Recorded Music Library, Emi Music Publishing Ltd., Nervous Music, Cedbev Music, Special Rider Music, Zfc Music, Connotation Music, Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp., Comet Music Corp., Fox Music A Division Of Classic Fox Records, MCA Music Publishing A.D.O. Universal S, Don Mac Music, Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, Netcap Music Publishing, Sweet Kisses Inc., Usi B Music Publishing, Clumsy Fly Music, Neue Welt Musikverlag Gmbh & Co. Kg, Deniz Publishing, Praisesong Music, Salli Isaak Music Publishing Ltd., Three Hundred Thirty Five Music, Taxicaster Music, Universal Music Publishing Ltd., Word Music LLC, WB Music Corp., Dayspring Music LLC

Contributed by Oliver W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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