Jesse Terry is an internationally touring, award-winning singer-songwriter … Read Full Bio ↴Jesse Terry is an internationally touring, award-winning singer-songwriter whose intimacy with audiences, sincerity, and approachability has solidified him as a favorite at festivals and live venues nationwide. With five full-length albums under his belt, The Runner, Empty Seat On A Plane, Stay Here With Me, Stargazer & Natural, Terry's lyrical mastery, emotional depth, and soothing voice have often been compared to the likes of Jackson Browne, Jason Isbell, Paul McCartney and James Taylor, reaching deep into listeners’ hearts to envelope them in shared joy, sadness, love, and unrelenting hope. The Grand Prize winner of The John Lennon Songwriting Contest and The CMT/NSAI Song Contest, he has garnered worldwide acclaim including the elite honor of performing for US and NATO troops stationed at Thule Air Base in Greenland, and an official endorsement by Stonebridge Guitars International.

"His ability to craft memorable songs is complimented by his supreme ability to deliver them in a sometimes funny, sometimes gut wrenching, but always sincere and authentic manner,” praises Dave Dircks, host of the #1 Acoustic Podcast on iTunes, Live at Deepwells. “At the core of it all, his personality – sunny naivety meets gritty wisdom – is what sets Jesse Terry apart…” Person by person, state by state, country by country, his fans, supporters, and colleagues have grown exponentially in the past few years, including at prominent festival gigs at Bonnaroo, Philadelphia Folk Fest, 30A Songwriters Festival and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Jesse Terry 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 th' 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 favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men 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
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King !”

Overall Meaning

In the first verse, the lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" celebrate the birth of Jesus, referred to as the "new-born King." The angels proclaim "Glory to the new-born King" and announce the arrival of peace on earth and God's mercy for sinners. The lyrics invite all nations to join in the joyful celebration and triumph that is happening in the heavens, declaring the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.

The second verse focuses on the divine nature of Jesus, highlighting Him as the highest adored in heaven, the everlasting Lord. It describes how Jesus came into the world at the appointed time, being born as the chosen one. The lyrics also emphasize the incarnation of God in human form, where the divine becomes flesh. It encourages the recognition and worship of Jesus as the incarnate Deity, known as Emmanuel, who willingly chose to dwell among humanity.

In the third verse, Jesus is hailed as the heaven-born Prince of peace and the Son of Righteousness. The lyrics portray Jesus as bringing light and life to all, symbolized by healing in his wings. It suggests that Jesus humbly set aside his glory and heavenly position to be born as a human, in order to offer salvation and eternal life to humanity. The lyrics affirm the purpose of Jesus' birth - to raise humanity from spiritual death and provide a second birth, enabling them to be born again through faith in Him.

Overall, the lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" are a joyous proclamation of the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrating His role as the Savior of the world. The song acknowledges His divine nature, His purpose for coming to earth, and the hope and peace He brings to all who believe in Him. It invites people from all nations to join in the chorus and exclaim "Glory to the new-born King!" as they reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth.

Line by Line Meaning

Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The angels sent by God are singing

“Glory to the new-born King!
Praise and honor to the newly born King (Jesus)

Peace on earth, and mercy mild
May there be peace on earth and gentle mercy

God and sinners reconciled”
God and sinners are now in harmony again

Joyful, all ye nations, rise
All nations should rise up in joy

Join the triumph of the skies
Share in the glorious celebration of heavenly beings

With th' angelic host proclaim
Proclaim together with the angelic host

“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
The Messiah has been born in Bethlehem

Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ, worshipped by the highest heaven

Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Christ, the eternal ruler

Late in time behold him come,
At the appointed time, see Him arrive