Angels We Have Heard On High
Mandisa (Holiday) Lyrics
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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
In Mandisa's rendition of this classic Christmas carol, the lyrics describe the scene of angels singing sweetly over the plains and the mountains echoing back their joyous strains. The chorus, which repeats twice, is a proclamation of "Gloria in excelsis Deo," which means "Glory to God in the highest." This chorus is believed to have been the song sung by the angels in the Biblical account of Christ's birth in Luke 2:14.
The imagery in the lyrics is powerful, as it conveys the joy and wonder of the shepherds who were the first to witness the birth of Christ. Even the mountains seemed to rejoice at the news of the Messiah's arrival. The song invites us to join in the chorus of praise and worship to God for sending His Son to earth to save us.
Interestingly, "Angels We Have Heard on High" was not originally written in English, but in French. The original song, "Les Anges dans nos campagnes," was written by an unknown author in the 18th century. The melody of the song is also thought to have originally been a French carol.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have heard on high
We have listened to the heavenly messengers that are singing from above
Sweetly singing over the plains
They sing melodiously across the fields
And the mountains in reply,
Even the mountains respond with echoed sounds
Echoing their joyous strains.
Echoing the harmonious and joyful sounds of their voices
Glo-ori-a
Glory be
In excelsis de-o
In the highest to God
Glo-ori-a
Glory be
In excelsis de-o
In the highest to God
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
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