From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]
Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.
Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.
In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.
Angels We Have Heard On High
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Singing sweetly 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?
What the glad song tidings be?
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
The lyrics to Neil Diamond's version of "Angels We Have Heard On High" describe the experience of the shepherds on the night of Jesus' birth. The song begins by acknowledging the angels that the shepherds heard singing sweetly over the plains. The mountains, in response, echo the joyous strains of the angels. The repetition of "Gloria in excelsis Deo" emphasizes the message that the angels proclaimed: glorifying God in the highest.
The shepherds, curious about the cause of this jubilation, ask each other the reason for the glad song tidings. The repetition of "Gloria in excelsis Deo" serves as a reminder of the divine significance of this event. The lyrics encourage the shepherds to go to Bethlehem and witness the one whose birth the angels are celebrating. They are called to adore him on bended knee, acknowledging Jesus as the Lord and the newborn King.
Overall, the lyrics of "Angels We Have Heard On High" depict the wonder and awe of the shepherds as they receive the angelic message of Jesus' birth. It conveys the spiritual significance of the event and the invitation to join in adoration and praise for the newborn King.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have heard on high
We have received messages from celestial beings in the heavens
Singing sweetly o'er the plains
They are joyfully and melodiously expressing themselves across the open fields
And the mountains in reply
The mountains are echoing their sentiments
Echoing their joyous strains
Repeating their happy tunes
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Shepherds, why are you celebrating with such joy?
What the glad song tidings be?
What are the happy news or messages conveyed through this song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Come to Bethlehem and see
Come and visit Bethlehem to witness for yourselves
Him whose birth the angels sing
The one whom the angels are praising due to his recent birth
Come, adore on bended knee
Approach with reverence, bowing down on your knees
Christ, the Lord, the new-born King
Jesus Christ, the ruler and savior, who is recently born
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: TRADITIONAL, MACK DONALD III BROCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Regina Maura
Beautiful ❤️ 😇😇😇
Victoria Chinavare
Such a heavenly voice. I could listen to Neil Diamond all day every day. His voice fills me with peace. God bless you Neil. 🙏🌹♥️
Neil Diamond
Hello Victoria
How are you doing?
It's nice meeting you here
Patricia Smethatsit
His voice fits so well on these songs of faith. I am sure his faith is great. We love you Neil.
brigitte s.
This double CD arrived together with the first snow (loads of it!) in Bavaria. I must drive for an hour to go to work. Listening to Neil's music and driving through winter wonderland, it's like moving through a far-away universe.
Nolan&Jordi
Great Neil forever!!! ❤🎄
Veronica Ferro
Love it, was just thinking of this song being one of my favorites for the holidays.
Neil Diamond
Hello there. How are you doing today? Nice
meeting you here
SteveHarry
Nice comment
Hope you don’t mind me saying Hello 👋
Jodi Doble
WOW !!Still going strong ! I am 61 and I have always Loved your music Neil Diamond