Angels We Have Heard on High
Folk Angel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria
Gloria
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King

Gloria
Gloria

See Him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise

Gloria
Gloria




Gloria in excelsis Deo
In excelsis Deo

Overall Meaning

The song Angels We Have Heard On High, performed by Folk Angel, is a classic Christmas carol that describes the joyous moment when angels first announced the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds on a hillside. The opening verse highlights the beauty of this event, with "angels sweetly singing o'er the plains" and "the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains." This imagery is used to evoke the heavenly presence that accompanied the arrival of the Savior.


The second verse invites the listener to "Come to Bethlehem and see" the child whose birth the angels sing about. It is a call to action to worship the newborn King, Christ the Lord, with all humility and reverence. The chorus repeats the Latin phrase "Gloria in excelsis Deo," or "Glory to God in the highest," which is widely recognized as a traditional religious hymn.


The final verse emphasizes that the child lying in a manger is the object of the angels' adoration, and calls on Mary and Joseph to join in the celebration. The song ends with a triumphant and joyful chorus of "Gloria," reinforcing the message that the birth of Jesus is a cause for great celebration and praise.


Line by Line Meaning

Angels we have heard on high
We have listened to the heavenly messengers.


Sweetly singing o'er the plains
They sang a lulling melody in the open fields.


And the mountains in reply
The majestic peaks echoed in response.


Echoing their joyous strains
The reverberation of their blissful music echoed afar.


Gloria
We sing out in glory to God.


Gloria
We sing out yet again in reverence.


Come to Bethlehem and see
Come with us to Bethlehem and bear witness.


Him Whose birth the angels sing
Witness the child whose arrival has been prophesied by heavenly creatures.


Come, adore on bended knee
Kneel and worship humbly and wholly.


Christ the Lord, the newborn King
The baby Christ is crowned our king, our Lord.


Gloria
Our voices still sing out in glory to God.


Gloria
Our hearts still sing out in reverence.


See Him in a manger laid
Behold, the newborn king lays in a feeding trough.


Whom the choirs of angels praise
The hosts of heaven sing his praise.


Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
Dear Mary and Joseph, offer assistance.


While our hearts in love we raise
As we lift our loving hearts high.


Gloria
Our voices continue to sing out in glory to God.


Gloria
Our hearts continue to sing out in reverence.


Gloria in excelsis Deo
Our voices glorify God in the highest.


In excelsis Deo
In the highest.




Writer(s): Arthur Harris

Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Joan Cuthill

A beautiful video and song. Thank you and thanks to melody who shared. Stars and hugs..Jan and Susan ♥

beanscot

Thanks for commenting! I enjoyed their sound too!

lotis333

Many beautiful little angels - plus!!! Gloria - loved the pictures and song.

beanscot

That line got to me too... Thanks for commenting! Merry Christmas also! : )

Melody Waterman

I really enjoyed this sweet video. I have not heard music by Folk Angel before...they sound great!

radioman53

Very Nice! Thank you for sharing.

o7jimmy

Amen and Amen!!!

YThemertY

This is a very beautiful video. Thank you Melody for sharing. Maria

beanscot

Thank you I liked the song's simplicity. Merry Christmas to you also! : )

Phyllis Snook

A beautiful & blessed song very differently.....!

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