He was often credited with creating the "easy listening", or "mood music" format which became a staple of American popular music in the 1950's and continued well into the 1960's.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Percy Faith and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest Heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
The song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is one of the most traditional and beloved Christmas songs. The lyrics express the joy of the angels and the nations, who were excited to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The beginning lyrics of the song, "Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled," portrays the birth of Jesus Christ as an event of great importance and joy for all humanity. Jesus' birth signals the beginning of a new era of peace and reconciliation between God and man.
The second verse of the song, "Christ by highest Heav'n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a Virgin's womb, Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel," is a reference to the Christian belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to the earth fully human and fully God. He is the Savior of the world who was born to a virgin and lived among mankind. The third verse, "Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings, Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth," is an acknowledgment that Jesus came to the world to bring peace and deliverance. Through His death and resurrection, He has given humanity eternal life and the hope of salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark the herald angels sing
Listen carefully to the singing angels
"Glory to the newborn King!
Praise the newly born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
May the world find peace and mercy
God and sinners reconciled"
God has brought sinners back to him
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Nations should rise up with joy
Join the triumph of the skies
Celebrate and join in the triumph of the sky
With the angelic host proclaim:
Together with the angels announce
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Christ has been born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen again, the angels are singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise again the newly born King
Christ by highest Heav'n adored
Christ is revered by the highest heaven
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Christ is the Lord who lives forever
Late in time behold Him come
After some time, he has come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Born of a virgin
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
See the Godhead in human form
Hail the incarnate Deity
Praise the deity in human form
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Happy to live as a man among men
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Jesus, our God with us
Hark! The herald angels sing
Once more, listen to the singing angels
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise the newly born King again
Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Praise the prince of peace born in heaven
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Praise the son of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
He brings light and life to all
Ris'n with healing in His wings
He has risen, bringing healing with him
Mild He lays His glory by
He humbly sets aside His glory
Born that man no more may die
Born so that people can avoid death
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to lift up the people of earth
Born to give them second birth
Born to give them a new life
Hark! The herald angels sing
One final time, listen to the singing angels
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise the newly born King one last time
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Wesley, Felix Mendelssohn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind