The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Angels We Have Heard On A High
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Singing sweetly through the night
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brave delight
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
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
The lyrics to Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song "Angels We Have Heard on High" tell the familiar story of the birth of Jesus Christ as depicted in the Bible. The song begins by referencing the angels that were heard singing in the night while also describing the echo of the mountains in response to their praise. The first verse of the song captures the excitement and awe that the shepherds must have felt upon hearing the angelic choir. The chorus repeats "Gloria in excelsis Deo," a phrase that translates to "Glory to God in the highest," further emphasizing the divine nature of Christ's birth.
The second verse of the song poses a series of questions to the shepherds, asking why they are so jubilant and what they have seen and heard that has brought them such happiness. This verse serves to remind listeners that the birth of Jesus is a momentous occasion that is celebrated to this day. The chorus is repeated, further emphasizing the glory of Christ's birth. The final verse describes the scene at the manger, with the angels praising Christ and Mary and Joseph present alongside the shepherds. The chorus is repeated one final time, providing a powerful conclusion to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have heard on high
We have heard the songs of angels praising God up above
Singing sweetly through the night
Their sweet voices were heard during the night
And the mountains in reply
The mountains echoed the angels' joyous song
Echoing their brave delight
The mountains echoed the angels' joyous celebration
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why are you so joyful, shepherds?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
Why are you singing joyfully?
What great brightness did you see?
What wonderful thing did you see?
What glad tiding did you hear?
What good news did you hear?
Come to Bethlehem and see
Come to Bethlehem and witness
Him whose birth the angels sing
The one whose birth the angels are singing about
Come, adore on bended knee
Come and worship Him on your knees
Christ, the Lord, the new born king
Christ, the Lord and the newly born king
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
See Him in a manger laid
See Him lying in a manger
Whom the angels praise above
The one whom the angels praise above all else
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
Mary and Joseph, please help
While we raise our hearts in love
As we worship with all our hearts in love
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Lyrics © Pubilc Domain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dutchymcdutch2553
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light:
[Chorus:]
Gloria in excelsis deo 1
Gloria in excelsis deo
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
[Chorus]
Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
[Chorus]
Gloria Deo.
@vijayshripal5068
1 Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
[Chorus]
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
Chorus]
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Chorus]
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
@Jack-er6wi
The climactic “gather all the nations to him” is one of the best Tabernacle Choir moments. Period.
@WanderingWind71
1:23 "Saints, before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear. Suddenly the Lord descending, In his tеmple shall appear" Lord, yes Jesus! Come quickly! I pray to see that wonderful day!
@roxahnebelnap6588
I really like singing along - David is easy to sing with - Thank you for honoring our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and our Beloved Heavenly Father.
@emily.gramley
Haven’t heard this song since the last time I went to Christmas mass with my Poppop. Going on 3 years now. I miss you every day ❤️
@hollyfay7338
This rendition ALWAYS brings the Spirit of our Lord into my heart and enriches my soul.
@ler5299
His voice leaves me speechless every time.
@mikaaoife6557
One of the best choir performances I have seen.
@coleyboley14
For sure!! I've been going every year and this by far is my favorite!!! 😃
@pabuckie
Beautiful Christmas Special with David Archuleta and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Truly loved watching it!
@donnamontanarella2403
It is such a treat to see and hear David Archuleta! His voice is so pure and beautiful! This whole performance is spectacular! I appreciate a true Christmas performance giving glory to Jesus our Lord and Savior!