Embracing an effortless eloquence and cocoa butter smooth persona, the music of Brian McKnight has defined the true meaning of an American soul-man since 1991. Like his spiritual Motown godfathers, this upstate New York native has a velvety voice and silky style that captures the vibe of vintage soul without being old fashion. On his latest disc Ten, that blend can be clearly heard.
While Brianβs aspirations might have seemed like a lofty ambition, the longevity of his career is a testament to the purity of his vision. With the release of Ten, McKnightβs first disc for his new label Warner Bros Records, the Grammy-nominated singer could not be more pleased with the outcome. Without a doubt, the landscape of soul music has gotten younger, but that fact did not hinder McKnightβs creative process.
After 16 million albums sold since his self-titled debut, it would have been too easy for McKnight to simply follow the R&B template of rote romanticism. But on Ten, the artist in him felt the need to be more revealing. Though McKnight has been friends with producers Tim & Bob for over ten years, this is the trioβs first collaboration.
Though Brian has never been the kind of singer/songwriter that one would call political that didnβt stop him from penning βRed, White & Blue,β a heart wrenching ode for the men and women currently at war, teaming up with country star Rascal Flatts.
Currently working on a variety of projects including a talk show and soundtracks for two upcoming Tyler Perry projects, the veteran soul singer could not be happier with the outcome of Ten. For fans of real music, Ten is the perfect addition to the soul cannon.
Angels We Have Heard On High
Brian McKnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Gloria (let us sing)
In excelsis Deo (in excelsis Deo)
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria (Angels, we have heard on high, sweetly singing)
In excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo-oria in excelsis Deo
In Excelsis Deo
The lyrics to Brian McKnight's rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High" speak of the presence of heavenly beings singing praises on the night of Jesus Christ's birth. The first verse of the song proclaims the joyous news of the angels singing sweetly over the plains and how the mountains echo their strains. This imagery paints a picture of an ethereal experience, where the heavens and the earth join in harmony to celebrate the birth of the Savior. The chorus, "Gloria in excelsis Deo," is a Latin phrase translated to "Glory to God in the highest," which further emphasizes the divine significance of the occasion.
The second verse of the song invites listeners to come to Bethlehem and witness the birth of Christ, which the angels are singing about. The lyric "Come adore on bended knee" conveys a sense of humility and reverence, as one is called to worship before the newborn King. The chorus repeats, urging listeners to sing praises to God in the highest, in a manner befitting the magnitude of the event.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have heard on high
We have heard angels singing joyfully over the plains
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
They sing with a sweet and lovely melody over the plains
And the mountains in reply
The mountains echo back their joyous melody
Echoing their joyous strains.
The mountains echo the angels' joyful song
Gloria in excelsis Deo
This is a phrase sung by the angels which means 'Glory to God in the highest'
Come to Bethlehem and see
Come to Bethlehem and witness the birth of Christ
Christ whose birth the angels sing
The angels are singing about the birth of Christ
Come adore on bended knee
Come and worship him on your knees
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Christ is the newborn king who is Lord
Gloria (let us sing)
Let us sing 'Glory to God in the highest'
In excelsis Deo (in excelsis Deo)
This phrase 'Glory to God in the highest' is in Latin
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Again, this is a phrase sung by the angels which means 'Glory to God in the highest'
Gloria (Angels, we have heard on high, sweetly singing)
The angels are singing 'Glory to God in the highest' with a sweet and lovely melody
In excelsis Deo
Again, this phrase 'Glory to God in the highest' is in Latin
Gloria in excelsis Deo-oria in excelsis Deo
Once again, this is a phrase sung by the angels which means 'Glory to God in the highest'
In Excelsis Deo
The phrase 'Glory to God in the highest' repeated in Latin
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID S. KOZ, DAVID BRYAN BENOIT, RICHARD C. BRAUN, BRENDA GORDON RUSSELL, PETER HARRY WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EddieJoWilliams
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly, sweetly through the night
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brief delight
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 heavenly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing,
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Yeah
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Angels we have heard
Angels we have heard on high
Angels we have heard, oh
Angels we have heard on high
Angels we have heard on high
Angels we have heard on high
In excelsis Deo
@laura4basics
fantastic song
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo (THE HIGHER GOD)
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Gloria (let us sing)
In excelsis Deo (in excelsis Deo)
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria (Angels, we have heard on high, sweetly singing)
In excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo-oria in excelsis Deo
In Excelsis Deo
@gabrielfrz
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Gloria (let us sing)
In excelsis Deo (in excelsis Deo)
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria (Angels, we have heard on high, sweetly singing)
In excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo-oria in excelsis Deo
In Excelsis Deo
@manuelorozco7760
I would never want to hear any version but this one. I just love Josh and Brianβs vocal chemistry!
@stevewilson9792
My favorite is Tabernacle choir at Temple square. With orchestra.
Hands down. This rendition lacks power. Both singers seemed to strain, at times, shouting their lryics.
@beckettroland4285
A tip : you can watch movies on kaldroStream. I've been using them for watching loads of movies recently.
@kianfabian7867
@Beckett Roland Yea, been using kaldroStream for months myself =)
@SaikatChatterjee22
There is one by Andrea Bocelli - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5iaV989_5M
@angelettejones8882
@Steve Wilson Neither one of them was even at the top of their range in this song. So no shouting involved.
@brianmaclach
Best version of this song I have heard. A wonderful duet
@jenettemerlini6035
My absolute favourite Christmas song of all time. I play it on repeat every year, crank up the volume, and make all the family listen silently so we can hear the melody. Gives me goosebumps every single time.
@AncientExplorerBCE
Absolutely exquisite. From the solo guitar, to the uplifting trumpets, to the gorgeous male vocals.... Absolutely exquisite.
@ireneslegers7027
Their voices are a PERFECT match! Wow, this version is really breathtaking! The best ever!