Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Johnny Cash 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 angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem

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 sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

Hark the Herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King




Hark the Herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King

Overall Meaning

In Johnny Cash's rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," he sings the classic Christmas carol with a distinct country sound. The song begins by declaring glory to the newborn king and peace on earth, setting the stage for the story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. The second line, "God and sinners reconciled," emphasizes the Christian belief that through Jesus' birth and subsequent sacrifice, humans are reconciled with God.


The chorus repeats the opening lines but with more energy, calling for people of all nations to join in the triumph of the skies and proclaim the birth of Christ. The second verse shifts the attention to Jesus himself, calling him the "Heaven born Prince of peace" and the "Son of righteousness." He is described as bringing light and life to all, and having the power to heal. The final lines of the verse describe Jesus' humility in laying aside his glory to be born as a man so that he could save humanity from death and grant them eternal life.


Overall, Cash's version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" brings together traditional Christian beliefs and country music themes of faith and redemption. The song has become a beloved Christmas classic and a staple of holiday playlists around the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Hark the Herald angels sing
Listen to the heavenly messengers singing


Glory to the new born King
Praise and honor the baby King who has just been born


Peace on earth and mercy mild
May there be peace on earth and may mercy and compassion prevail


God and sinners reconciled
God has brought sinners back to Him and they are forgiven


Joyful all ye nations rise
All nations should feel joy and lift up their voices in praise


Join the triumph of the skies
Join in the triumphant chorus of the angels in the sky


With angelic host proclaim
The angels are declaring


Christ is born in Bethlehem
That Christ has been born in Bethlehem


Hail the Heaven born Prince of peace
Celebrate the Prince of peace who was born in heaven


Hail the Son of righteousness
Praise the Son who brings righteousness


Light and life to all He brings
He brings light and life to everyone


Risen with healing in His wings
He has risen and brings healing to those who follow Him


Mild He lays His glory by
He has humbly set aside His glory


Born that Man no more may die
He was born so that humanity would not have to die


Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to lift up humanity


Born to give them second birth
Born so that humanity can be born again


Hark the Herald angels sing
Listen to the heavenly messengers singing


Glory to the new born King
Praise and honor the baby King who has just been born




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVID FINDLAY, N TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

meditesi

Fortunately there is youtube! The JC X-mas CD in my collection contains this song of course but it is acting very strange just when the hymn starts! Though not religious anymore it is beautiful and of course beautifully performed without a distracting choir. Just down to earth (with all the angels, please).

Larry Ressler

When Johnny Cash was negotiating his first record contract with Columbia Records, he insisted that his first album for the label would be a Gospel album, because Sun Records generally did not like for him to record religious music.  Columbia Records gladly obliged, and the rest is history.  Gospel music was very important to Cash, even from the very start, and Christmas songs were no exception, either. 

Stephen Mahala

He also does a good version of Little Drummer Boy

tychaton08

;-)

More Versions