Angels We Have Heard On High
Gordon Mote Lyrics


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Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing over the plains
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o

Shepherds, why this Jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord,
The newborn King
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o

See Him in a manger laid
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior's birth.
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o




Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o

Overall Meaning

Gordon Mote's rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High" vividly captures the wonder and joy of the first Christmas night. The song begins by describing the scene of angels singing over the plains and mountains, their joyous strains echoing throughout the land. The chorus explodes with the Latin phrase "Gloria in excelsis Deo," which means "Glory to God in the highest," an exclamation of praise for the miraculous event that has occurred.


The song then turns to the shepherds who witnessed the miraculous occurrence, questioning them about the cause of their jubilant celebration. The shepherds respond with the good news that a savior has been born in Bethlehem, which inspires the heavenly song of the angels. The chorus repeats its ecstatic declaration.


Finally, Mote invites us to come to Bethlehem and see the newborn king, lying in a manger. He encourages us to bow before Christ and adore him, calling on Mary and Joseph to help us celebrate the birth of our savior.


This song beautifully captures the Christian experience of Christmas, reminding us to pause and remember the miracle of Christ's birth and the message of hope it brings.


Line by Line Meaning

Angels we have heard on high
We have heard angels singing beautifully over the plains


Sweetly singing over the plains
The angels were singing beautifully over the open fields


And the mountains in reply,
The mountains echoed in response to the joyous strains of the angels


Echoing their joyous strains.
The mountains were echoing the joyful songs of the angels


Glo-ori-a
Glory to God!


In excelsis de-o
In the highest!


Shepherds, why this Jubilee?
Why are you celebrating with such joy, shepherds?


Why your joyous strains prolong?
What is the reason for continuing to sing such joyful songs?


What the gladsome tidings be
What is the joyful news that you are sharing?


Which inspire your heavenly song?
What is the source of inspiration for this joyful song?


Come to Bethlehem and see
Come with us to Bethlehem and witness for yourself


Him whose birth the angels sing;
The birth of Jesus, whom the angels are singing about,


Come, adore on bended knee
Worship Him by kneeling down in adoration


Christ, the Lord, The newborn King
Jesus, the Lord, who was just born and is now King


See Him in a manger laid
Witness Him lying in a manger


Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth!
Jesus is the Lord of both heaven and earth


Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
Mary and Joseph, help us in singing praises to the Savior


With us sing our Savior's birth.
Join us in singing about the joyous birth of our Savior




Contributed by Makayla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Caleb


on He Would Be King

In a dark and musty stable she held her newborn son.
Exausted from the labor. Relieved he’d finally come.
Could she have known all the joy he would bring
Could she have known he would be king.

Her companion watched in silence with wonder on his face
That a miracle could happen
To a carpenter by trade.
Would he grow strong
Would he hear the hammers ring
Maybe one day he would be king

C. He would be king He would be king
He would be Lord of all the earth and everything
Shepards would quake
Angels would sing
He would be praised from age to age
He would be king.

So she tried to soothe his crying
With a tender lullaby
For the moment they would keep him
From the waiting world outside
Hallelujahs were already echoing
Praise to the child who would be king

C. He would be king He would be king
He would be Lord of all the earth and everything
Shepards would quake
Angels would sing
He would be praised from age to age
He would be king.

C. He would be king He would be king
He would be Lord of all the earth and everything
Shepards would bow
Angels would sing
He would be praised from age to age
He would be king.

He would be praised from age to age
He would be king.

Laura


on Behold The Blessed Savior

Unto this day a child is born,
A baby in a manager
Whom angels sing and kings adore
Behold the blessed Saviour!

He's sleeping, lies in stillness sweet
The virgin Mary's treasure
While shepherds bow before His feet
Behold the blessed Saviour!

Emmanuel! I lift my voice
To my Comforter, Redeemer.
In Bethlehem this day rejoice
Behold the blessed Saviour!

Oh, Lamb of God!
Oh, Prince of Peace!
Thy mercy beyond measure
My weary soul will rest in Thee
Behold the blessed Saviour!

Emmanuel! I lift my voice
To my Comforter, Redeemer.
In Bethlehem this day rejoice
Behold the blessed Saviour!

Emmanuel! I lift my voice
To my Comforter, Redeemer.
Behold the blessed Saviour!

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