Today the choir is directed by Stephen Cleobury and derives much of its fame from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, broadcast worldwide to millions on Christmas Eve every year, and the TV service Carols from King's which accompanies it.
The statutes of the College provide for sixteen choristers, and from the beginning of the 20th Century fourteen Undergraduates have sung in the choir as Choral Scholars.
The fourteen Choral Scholars are male students (usually Undergraduates) at the College. Choral Scholars must succeed at both the general entry requirements of the College as well as the Choral Trials in order to join the Choir.
Two of the Choral Scholars are assigned the role of Beater, as Senior and Junior Beater (traditionally the Senior Choral Scholar and his pre-chosen successor); these two are also usually responsible for the direction of Collegium Regale. These two Choral Scholars usually 'beat' (conduct while in the stalls) the psalms, and often the introit, during the service, even when the Director of Music is present.
Very occasionally, a Lay Clerk may be appointed in place of a Choral Scholar, usually if a vacancy arises unexpectedly: for example, when a student, having gained a conditional place at the college (subject to A-level grades being achieved) fails to meet the conditions. Such Lay Clerks have, to all intents and purposes, the same status as a Choral Scholar. The few Lay Clerks that have existed (since the establishment of Choral Scholars) have often been Choral Scholars agreeing to remain for an additional year.
The Choral Scholars form collectively, in their spare time, a separate group, Collegium Regale (Latin for 'King's College'), which sings a wide range of music written for men's voices, from early music through to Barbershop arrangements (many of the latter having been written exclusively for the group by present/former Choral Scholars).
The organ is played by two Organ Scholars, who, like the Choral Scholars, are also students at the College. If the Director of Music is not present for any reason, an Organ Scholar takes responsibility for conducting the Choir. Female applicants have very occasionally been known to apply as an Organ Scholar, but never have any succeeded competitively in the Organ Scholar competition. Applicants for Cambridge organ scholarships are in the anomalous position of being able to apply to both Cambridge and Oxford Universities - normally only one is possible as part of the UCAS application system.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Choir of King's College Cambridge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"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 angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel
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"
The song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Choir of King's College Cambridge is a classic Christmas carol that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The opening verse proclaims the arrival of the Savior, and calls upon all nations to join in the celebration. The angels in heaven announce the joyful news of the birth of Christ, and proclaim peace on earth and goodwill towards all. The second verse describes the divinity of Christ as the eternal Lord who has come on earth to save sinners. The song declares that He is the Son of God who has come to dwell among us.
In the third verse, the song identifies Jesus Christ as the "Prince of Peace" and "Son of Righteousness". It is acknowledged that He brings light and life to all, and is able to heal the sick with His divine power. Christ is seen as the embodiment of God's love and grace for humanity. The last verse talks about Christ's ultimate goal of saving humanity by sacrificing His own life. He was born to conquer death and offer salvation to all.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen to the angels singing
"Glory to the newborn King"
"Celebrate the birth of the King, who brings glory to God"
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
There will be peace on earth and God will show His mercy
God and sinners reconciled!
God brings sinners back to Him through the birth of Jesus
Joyful, all ye nations rise;
All the nations should be happy and rejoice
Join the triumph of the skies;
The angels are celebrating, and we should celebrate too
With angelic host proclaim
Sing along with the angels
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
"Jesus, the Savior, is born in Bethlehem!"
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Jesus is honored by heaven above all else
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Jesus is the Lord of all, forever
Late in time behold Him come,
He arrived late but He finally came
Offspring of the favored one.
The child of Mary, favored by God
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Although He is God, He is physically human
Hail the incarnate Deity
Worship the God who became man
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
He was happy to live among humans and experience our lives
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Jesus is with us always
Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Celebrate the Son of God, who brings peace
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Celebrate the Son of God, who is righteous
Light and life to all He brings,
Jesus brings light and life to everyone
Risen with healing in His wings.
He will rise, and will bring healing to those who believe in Him
Mild He lays His glory by,
He gave up His glory to become human
Born that man no more may die;
He was born to save us from death
Born to raise the sons of earth,
He was born to bring us all up to heaven
Born to give them second birth
He was born to give us salvation and eternal life
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen to the angels singing
"Glory to the newborn King"
Celebrate the birth of the King, who brings glory to God
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ruairi_d
For me Christmas doesn't begin until I watch Carols from King's.
@randalllamp8226
Do you have their DVDs? Great to watch during the season.
@anaeleekene1698
Lol😃
@extantenmity
Same here
@teller1290
When does it air annually? And on BBC? (I'm in the U.S.)
@extantenmity
@@teller1290 it’s on Christmas day (25th) on BBC 2.
@coolcumber7166
God bless you all. I’ve been a believer in Christ my whole life. I prayed almost every night, but haven’t been to church seriously in many years. Tonight I stumbled upon this song on tv. It’s helped me renew my relationship with Christ. Whoever you are, wherever you are please know that you are loved. Peace and all the best for 2022.
@dantethunderstone2118
You almost made it out, should have kept on your track and left the cult
@poltergeist1105
@@dantethunderstone2118 bro just respect others’ beliefs. Is it that hard?
@dantethunderstone2118
@@poltergeist1105 i dont support cult behaviours