Diamond Rio is a country band formed in 1989. They consist of Marty Roe (Le… Read Full Bio ↴Diamond Rio is a country band formed in 1989. They consist of Marty Roe (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Jimmy Olander (Guitar, Banjo), Dana Williams (Bass, Vocals), Dan Truman (Keyboards) Gene Johnson (Mandolin, Vocals, Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar), and Brian Prout (Drums). They are members of the Grand Ole Opry.

Diamond Rio released their debut, Diamond Rio, in 1991. It spawned five Top 10 Country hits, including the #1 hit "Meet in the Middle", and went platinum. Their second album, Close to the Edge, released the following year, had three Top 10 singles and went gold. In 1994, their third album was released. Love a Little Stronger wasn't very successful commercially, but did produce another Top 5 single in the title track.

The mid-90's marked both a low point in album-naming creativity and a high point in chart success. Their fourth album, innovatively titled IV and released in 1996, spun off three Top 5 singles. (One of these, "It's All In Your Head", featured a video with Martin Sheen as a fiery preacher engaged in snake handling, mirroring the lyrics of the song.) In 1997, Diamond Rio released its first greatest hits album, entitled Greatest Hits. The album had two brand-new songs: "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" hit #1, and "Imagine That" became yet another top 5 hit. In 1998, Unbelievable was released, giving the band two more top 5 singles. The title track also reached the top 40 on the Pop charts. In 2001, the band released One More Day, whose title track became another chart-topper. The following year, the band released Completely, whose lead track, "Beautiful Mess", became their 4th #1 hit. The album also spawned another #1 single in "I Believe". December 30th, 2005 found Diamond Rio playing their new single In God we Still Trust during halftime of the Vitalis Sun Bowl between UCLA and Northwestern University in El Paso, Texas. Their second Greatest Hits album is scheduled to be released May 9th, 2006.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Diamond Rio Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the 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 is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King

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

Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born 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

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 new-born King

Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Diamond Rio's rendition of the classic Christmas hymn "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" tell of the birth of Jesus Christ and the peace that comes with his arrival. The first verse begins with the angels announcing the birth of the new-born King and the song praises his arrival with glory. The next line talks of peace on earth and that God and sinners are reconciled. This is a reference to the belief that Christ's arrival brought forgiveness and reconciliation between people and God.

In the second verse, the hymn talks about how all the nations should rejoice and join in the triumph of the skies, and how Christ is born in Bethlehem. The third verse identifies Christ as the Prince of Peace, Son of Righteousness, and Savior of the world. It continues to say that he brings light and life to all and that he is risen with healing in his wings. The hymn ends with a repetition of the opening lines of the song, asking all who hear it to join in singing praises to the new-born King.

Line by Line Meaning

Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen! The messengers from heaven are singing

Glory to the new-born King
Praise and honor to the Savior who is just born

Peace on earth and mercy mild
Let there be harmony on earth and compassion for all

God and sinners reconciled
God has made peace with all sinful people

Joyful, all ye nations, rise
All nations should cheer with excitement

Join the triumph of the skies
Let's all be part of the celebration taking place in heaven

With the angelic host proclaim
Together with the angels, announce loudly

Christ is born in Bethlehem
The Messiah has been born in Bethlehem

Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ is loved and honored most in heaven

Christ, the everlasting Lord
Christ is the eternal ruler and master

Late in time behold him come
After a long time, see him arrive