Angels We Have Heard On High
Joy Electric Lyrics


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

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

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

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise




Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joy Electric's "Angels We Have Heard On High" are a beautiful account of the Christmas story, telling of the experience of the shepherds who first heard the message of Jesus' birth from a choir of angels. The first verse speaks of the angels singing sweetly over the plains and mountains, with their joyful strains echoing across the land. The chorus then proclaims "Gloria, in excelsis Deo!" which means "Glory to God in the highest!", a traditional Latin phrase used to praise God. This phrase has been famously used in Christmas carols throughout the centuries, particularly in the song "Angels We Have Heard on High". The second verse asks the shepherds why they are so joyful, and what news they have received that would cause them to burst into heavenly song. The answer is given in the third verse, as the shepherds are invited to come and see the Christ child, the newborn King. The song culminates in a call to Mary, Joseph and all of us to adore the baby Jesus, lending our hearts in love to the ancient story.


Line by Line Meaning

Angels we have heard on high
We have received a message of hope and peace from divine beings above


Sweetly singing o'er the plains
The angels sang their message with great delight and beauty


And the mountains in reply
The mountains echoed back the joyous sounds of the angels


Echoing their joyous strains
The mountains reverberated and amplified the music of the angels


Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Praise and glory to God in the highest!


Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why are you so overjoyed, shepherds?


Why your joyous strains prolong?
Why do you continue to sing such happy songs?


What the gladsome tidings be
What is the good news that fills you with such happiness?


Which inspire your heavenly song?
What is the message from heaven that motivates your song of joy?


Come to Bethlehem and see
Come and witness for yourself in Bethlehem


Christ Whose birth the angels sing
The angels are singing because the savior of the world has just been born


Come, adore on bended knee
Come and worship with humility and reverence


Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Christ is the ruler of all, the infant king just born


See Him in a manger laid
Observe the savior of the world lying in a feed trough for animals


Whom the choirs of angels praise
The angels sing praises to the infant Christ


Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
Mary and Joseph, please assist in caring for the newborn Christ


While our hearts in love we raise
As our hearts overflow with love and adoration




Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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