Angels We Have Heard On High
Percy Faith & His Orchestra Lyrics


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Glo-glo-gloria

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing over the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Glo-glo-gloria in excelsis Deo
Oh, no, yeah, yeah

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous song prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be, oh
That inspire your heavenly song?
Glo-glo-gloria in excelsis Deo
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh yeah

Oh, come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing, oh
Come on, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, our new-born King
Glo-glo-gloria in excelsis Deo
Oh yeah

On the day that Christ was born
The angels sang such a heavenly song
In excelsis Deo, oh

Angels we have heard on high
Angels we have heard on high
Angels we have heard on high
Angels we have heard on high
In excelsis Deo, in excelsis Deo





In excelsis Deo

Overall Meaning

The song "Angels We Have Heard On High" is a traditional Christmas carol that tells the story of the angels who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. The song begins with the angels singing sweetly over the plain and the mountains echoing their joyous strains. The chorus "Glo-glo-gloria in excelsis Deo" is repeated throughout the song, which means "Glory to God in the highest."


In the second verse, the shepherds are questioned about their jubilee and joyous song, and they are asked what the gladsome tidings are that inspired their heavenly song. The chorus is repeated once again. Finally, the song invites the listener to Bethlehem to see the newborn king, Christ the Lord, and to bow down and adore him on bended knee. The chorus is repeated once more before the song ends.


The lyrics of this song, along with the beautiful orchestration by Percy Faith & His Orchestra, capture the essence of the joy and wonder of the Christmas story. The repeated use of the word "glo-glo-gloria" gives the song a celebratory and triumphant tone, and the call to worship and adore the newborn king reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.


Line by Line Meaning

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


Sweetly singing over the plain
The angels sang a gentle melody across the plain.


And the mountains in reply
The mountains echoed the angels' joyful song.


Echoing their joyous strains
The mountains repeated the angels' happy tunes.


Glo-glo-gloria in excelsis Deo
The angels exclaimed in joy to God on high.


Oh, no, yeah, yeah
Expressing surprise and joy at the angel's song.


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


Why your joyous song prolong?
Why are you continuing to sing in such happiness?


What the gladsome tidings be, oh
What is the happy news that inspired your song?


That inspire your heavenly song?
What inspired the angels to sing so beautifully?


Oh, come to Bethlehem and see
Come see the little town of Bethlehem.


Him whose birth the angels sing, oh
See the newborn baby Jesus, whose birth inspired the angels' song.


Come on, adore on bended knee
Come and show your reverence by kneeling before him.


Christ, the Lord, our new-born King
Jesus, the Messiah, is our new king who has just been born.


On the day that Christ was born
The day when Jesus was born.


The angels sang such a heavenly song
The angels sang a beautiful and divine melody.


In excelsis Deo, oh
Exclaiming in joy to God on high.


In excelsis Deo
God on high, receive our joyful song.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., NEIL MUSIC/SKYVIEW MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRADITIONAL, MACK DONALD III BROCK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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