(1) Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, known generally as Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) was a German composer, pianist, organist, and conductor of the early Romantic period.
Mendelssohn was born on 3rd February 1809 in Hamburg, Germany into a notable Jewish family (his grandfather was the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn). He was a child prodigy, though his family were careful not to allow this to distort his upbringing, and only approved of his following a musical career when it was clear that he was serious about music.
Early success in Germany was followed by travel throughout Europe; Mendelssohn was particularly well received in Britain as a composer, conductor and soloist, and his ten visits there (during which many of his major works were premiered) form an important part of his adult career. His essentially conservative musical tastes however set him apart from many of his more adventurous musical contemporaries such as Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, and Hector Berlioz. The Conservatory he founded at Leipzig became a bastion of this anti-radical outlook.
Mendelssohn’s work includes symphonies, concertos, oratorios, piano works, and chamber music. He also had an important role in the revival of interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. After a long period of relative denigration due to changing musical tastes and antisemitism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, his creative originality has again been recognised, and re-evaluated. He is now among the most popular composers of the Romantic era. He died on 4th November 1847 in Leipzig.
(2) The other Felix Mendelssohn was a popular British crooner of the 1930s and 1940s. He became fascinated with Hawaiian music and became best known performing as Felix Mendelssohn & His Hawaiian Serenaders. See the Wikipedia article about this band and their Last.fm artist profile.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Felix Mendelssohn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
""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
Hark! The herald angels sing
""Glory to the new-born king!""
To the new-born king
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ the everlasting Lord
In a manger, born a king
While adoring angels sing
Peace on Earth, to men goodwill
Bid the trembling soul be still
Oh Christ on Earth has come to dwell
Jesus, our Emanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
""Glory to the new-born king!""
To the new-born king
To the new-born king
St. Nick, c'mon!
[Vibes Solo: Nick Mancini]
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!""
To the new-born king
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!""
To the new-born king
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
""Christ is born in Bethlehem!""
Ooh, the angels sing
""Glory to the new-born king""
Glory, glory, glory to the king!
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a popular Christmas carol with lyrics penned by Charles Wesley and set to music by Felix Mendelssohn. The lyrics in this song celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the new-born king. The opening lines, "Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the new-born king!" set the tone for the entire song, calling attention to the angels proclaiming the glory of Jesus' birth.
The song continues by highlighting the themes of peace on earth and mercy extended to sinners through the birth of Christ. It emphasizes the message of reconciliation between God and humanity, symbolized by Christ's birth in Bethlehem. The lyrics speak to the joy felt by all nations and the triumph of the skies, as the angelic host announces the arrival of Jesus, the savior.
There is a sense of reverence and adoration in the verses that describe Christ as the highest heaven adored and the everlasting Lord. The imagery of Christ being born in a manger while angels sing praises conveys the humble beginnings of the king of kings. The peace and goodwill brought by Christ's presence on Earth are highlighted, bringing comfort to the troubled soul and signifying his role as Emmanuel, or God with us.
Throughout the song, there is a call for people of all nations to join in proclaiming the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. The repeated refrain of "Glory to the new-born king!" serves as a declaration of praise and honor for Jesus. The final verses express the exultation of the angels singing in glory to the king, emphasizing the divine nature of Christ's birth and the universal significance of his arrival. The lyrics of this song encapsulate the essence of Christmas, celebrating the hope and joy brought into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen attentively as the angels announce joyful news.
"Glory to the new-born king!"
Honor and praise are given to the infant king who has just been born.
Peace on earth and mercy mild
A message of tranquility and gentle compassion spreads across the world.
God and sinners reconciled
The relationship between the divine and humanity is restored through this birth.
Joyful all ye nations rise
Let every country and culture awaken with happiness.
Join the triumph of the skies
Take part in the glorious victory celebrated in heaven.
With the angelic host proclaim
Together with the multitude of angels, declare the good news.
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
The Messiah has arrived, taking his first breath in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen closely as the angels share their joyous proclamation.
"Glory to the new-born king!"
Let everyone give homage to the newly arrived sovereign.
To the new-born king
A focus on offering reverence to this infant ruler.
Christ, by highest heaven adored
The highest celestial beings honor and praise Christ.
Christ the everlasting Lord
Acknowledging Christ as the eternal sovereign and divine presence.
In a manger, born a king
The royal child comes into the world not in splendor but humbly in a feeding trough.
While adoring angels sing
As the heavenly beings sing melodies of adoration and joy.
Peace on Earth, to men goodwill
A message of harmony and kindness is extended to all humanity.
Bid the trembling soul be still
Reassure those who are anxious to find calmness.
Oh Christ on Earth has come to dwell
The presence of Christ has manifested among us.
Jesus, our Emanuel
Jesus is recognized as 'God with us,' embodying divine presence.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Once again, pay attention to the joyous announcement from the angels.
"Glory to the new-born king!"
Return to the theme of reverence for the infant king.
To the new-born king
Directing honor specifically to this newly born authority.
St. Nick, c'mon!
A playful invitation to the beloved figure of Santa Claus.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen again as the angels share their joyful news.
"Glory to the new-born king!"
Celebrating the birth of this revered young monarch.
Peace on earth and mercy mild
Widespread calmness and gentle compassion flow across the earth.
God and sinners reconciled
The sacred connection between God and humanity is restored.
Joyful all ye nations rise
Let every nation celebrate with joy.
Join the triumph of the skies
Be part of the celestial celebration.
With the angelic host proclaim
Stand alongside the angels to announce the news.
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
The long-awaited Savior has come into the world in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing
An emphatic call to listen to the angels' announcement of glad tidings.
"Glory to the new-born king!"
A repetition of the honor bestowed upon the newborn monarch.
To the new-born king
Acknowledging the infant ruler with reverence.
Joyful all ye nations rise
Uplift yourselves in joy, no matter where you are from.
Join the triumph of the skies
Participate in the heavenly celebration of victory.
With the angelic host proclaim
Together with the heavenly beings, declare the joyous news.
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Affirming the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem.
Ooh, the angels sing
A melodic expression of the angels’ joyful song.
"Glory to the new-born king"
Encouraging the continued celebration of the new monarch's birth.
Glory, glory, glory to the king!
A heartfelt repetition of honor and praise for the sovereign.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anderson Adauto
Oh God, amen, heavenly music.🙏
Anderson Adauto
@Classical Music 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Classical Music
Truly 'tis.
Ben Emberley
........to think that this iconic melody started out as a lieder from a Cantata premiered in the middle of Summer 1840 in Leipzig, to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Mobile Printing Press by Johannes Gutenberg, hence its original name, the Gutenberg Festgesang Cantata.
Richard
Hark the Herald Angels sing and the wedding march 😢. I love Mendelssohn, what a genius he was. But unfortunately same as underrated as the city he was born. My precious Leipzig. Much too unnknown for its beautiful culture, Goethe poetism and more 😪❤
Aemilia Carol PhoneTube
I would sing this while running
Joshua Mazala
I love Felix mendelssohn
Richard
Hark the Herald Angels sing and the wedding march 😢. I love Mendelssohn, what a genius he was. But unfortunately same as underrated as the city he was born. My precious Leipzig. Much too unnknown for its beautiful culture, Goethe poetism and more 😪❤
Lar M
I think Charles Dickens asked Felix Mendelssohn to write a music carol for his Christmas Carol !
Kyojuro Rengoku
How do people make this