James Chadwick hails from a sleepy village on the Lincolnshire , Cambridges… Read Full Bio ↴James Chadwick hails from a sleepy village on the Lincolnshire , Cambridgeshire border, he is an accomplished singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Although comparisons have been made to many artists, such as Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley and Jimi Hendrix, James prefers to celebrate his own unique style which he says has been influenced by "everything and nothing" (but not forgetting Bob Dylan).

Finalist in 2005's BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, playing to a full house at the Sage, Gateshead, and featured on Mike's Radio 2 folk programme in December 2005, James and other finalists were described by Mike Harding as "the cream of the UK's young acoustic folk and roots scene".

Angels We Heard On High
James Chadwick Lyrics

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It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold

Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
cnd still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heaven's all-gracious King"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing

cngels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
cnd the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heaven's all-gracious King"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing

Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Oh, hear the angels sing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James Chadwick's song "Angels We've Heard On High" describe the awe-inspiring moment when the angels appeared and sang their glorious song on a peaceful and clear midnight. The song speaks of these angels descending from the heavens and bending near the earth, playing their harps made of gold. Their peaceful wings are unfurled as they continue to bring their heavenly music, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and beauty that encompasses the weary world. The angels' message is one of peace and goodwill to all humanity, a proclamation from their all-gracious King in heaven. The world, in solemn stillness, lies to listen and absorb the angelic singing, taking in the profound significance of the moment.

Overall, the lyrics of "Angels We've Heard On High" convey the awe and wonder inspired by the arrival of the angels and their proclamation of peace and goodwill. The song beautifully paints a picture of a serene midnight scene, where the world pauses and listens to the celestial music, as the angels' voices echo through the plains and mountains.

Line by Line Meaning

It came upon the midnight clear
The beautiful and divine song appeared during the peaceful and silent midnight hour

That glorious song of old
A magnificent melody that has been cherished for ages

From angels bending near the earth
Angelic beings leaning down close to the earth

To touch their harps of gold
To strum their golden harps with grace

Still through the cloven skies they come
Continuously descending from the divided skies

With peaceful wings unfurled
Displaying serene wings without any obstruction

And still their heavenly music floats
And their celestial music continues to drift

O'er all the weary world
Over the entirety of the tired and burdened world

peace on the earth, goodwill to men
May there be peace on earth and goodwill towards all humanity

From heaven's all-gracious King
Sent by the benevolent ruler of heaven

The world in solemn stillness lay
The world lay in a profound and calm silence