Angels We Have Heard on High
Marilyn Horne And The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics

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Angels we have heard on high
Singing sweetly through the night
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brave delight

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tiding did you hear?

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the new born king

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

See Him in a manger laid
Whom the angels praise above
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While we raise our hearts in love

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Overall Meaning

The song “Angels We Have Heard on High” is a traditional Christmas carol that describes the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics of the song begins by describing the angels, whose glorious songs the shepherds heard while watching their flocks at night. The noble sound echoed through the mountainside with a message of happiness, indicating the birth of the savior of the world.

In the second verse, the shepherds contemplate the reason for the celebration and the rejoicing of the angels. The shepherds ask each other why they are so joyful and what glad tidings they bring. The answer to their query is given in the announcement of Jesus' birth: it is the fulfillment of the prophecy of a savior who would be born in Bethlehem. The hymn ends by urging the people to come to Bethlehem and see the baby Jesus. Then the faithful are called upon to join them in adoration on bended knee as they give praise for the arrival of the newborn King.

Overall, “Angels We Have Heard on High” is a hymn of praise and worship to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics of the song encapsulate the essence of the joyous spirit of Christmas.

Line by Line Meaning

Angels we have heard on high
We have heard angels singing loudly in the sky

Singing sweetly through the night
Their singing was pleasant and comforting, even as the night was dark

And the mountains in reply
The mountains echoed back their joyous song

Echoing their brave delight
The mountains joined in their joyous celebration

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Shepherds, why are you so joyful?

Why these songs of happy cheer?
Why are you singing such happy songs?

What great brightness did you see?
What wonderful sight have you witnessed that made you so happy?

What glad tiding did you hear?
What joyful news have you received?

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

Him whose birth the angels sing
The one whom the angels are singing about, whose birth is a grand event