In 2000, Dave Douglas replaced Stephen Cushman on drums. In 2004, John Warne, formerly of Ace Troubleshooter replaced Brian on bass guitar. In 2005,Jon Schneck joined on with additional guitars, as well as banjo, bells, and backing vocals. In 2008, Ethan Luck, formerly of The O.C. Supertones and Demon Hunter replaced Dave on drums.
The band has released 9 albums, including 2 Christmas albums, as well as 6 EPs, and some other miscellaneous projects. Starting in 2000 with their second album, Relient K was signed to Gotee Records, a Christian record label. In 2004, their album Mmhmm shot them into mainstream popularity when it released at #15 on Billboard 200, and was released on Gotee, Mono Vs. Stereo (both Christian record labels), as well as Capitol, a secular label. They stayed with Gotee/Capitol until 2007, and their album Five Score and Seven Years Ago released at #6. Their latest album, Forget and Not Slow Down was released in 2009 with Mono Vs. Stereo. The band has done very well in both the Christian and mainstream music industries. The band has received numerous awards including a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Rock Gospel Album and two Dove Awards. The band has sold over 2 million records, with three albums being given gold certification by the RIAA.
The band's musical style has changed over the years, starting off as very pop-punk, and maturing into a unique sort of pop-alternative-rock, with many songs varying in style, and some including acoustic guitars, piano, banjo, synths, bells, etc. Through the years, their lyrics and songwriting have matured, but they have not lost their silly side and sense of humor. They still often reference their Christian faith throughout their songs.
Matt Thiessen, the band's main songwriter, also has a solo side project, Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes. He has also collaborated with Owl City. Dave Douglas also had a solo side project, Agnes.
Angels We Have Heard On High
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis deo
Gloria in excelsis deo
Shepherd why this jubilee,
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ who's birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the lord the new-born king
Gloria in excelsis deo (lots of times)
The song "Angels We Have Heard On High" by Relient K begins with the beautiful image of angels singing sweetly over the plains, with the mountains echoing back their joyful strains. This is a reference to the biblical story of the shepherds who heard the angels singing at the birth of Jesus. The chorus, "Gloria in excelsis deo," which is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest," is a traditional liturgical phrase used in Christian worship.
The second verse of the song is directed towards the shepherds themselves, asking why they are feeling such joy and excitement. It then goes on to ask what good news the angels have brought them. The chorus is repeated again, reminding us of the reason behind the celebration: the birth of Christ.
The final verse of the song invites the listener to come and see the Christ child for themselves, and to worship him as the newborn king, just as the shepherds did. The repetition of the chorus at the end emphasizes the message of the song: that we should give glory to God for the coming of Jesus.
Overall, "Angels We Have Heard On High" is a beautiful and timeless Christmas song that reminds us of the reason for the season: the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have heard on high
We heard angels singing loudly in the sky
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
Their voices were harmonious and pleasing as they sang over the fields
And the mountains in reply
The mountains echoed back in response to their songs
Echoing their joyous strains
The echo of the mountains only enhanced the joyous hymns of the angels
Gloria in excelsis deo
Glory to God in the highest
Shepherd why this jubilee,
The shepherds were curious to know the reason behind the celebration
Why your joyous strains prolong?
They wanted to know why the angels were singing with so much joy
What the gladsome tidings be
The shepherds questioned what the good news was
Which inspire your heavenly song
They wondered what inspired such a divine song
Come to Bethlehem and see
The angels invited the shepherds to go to Bethlehem and witness for themselves
Christ who's birth the angels sing
The angels were singing about the birth of Christ
Come adore on bended knee
They asked the shepherds to come and worship the newborn king humbly
Christ the lord the new-born king
The baby born in Bethlehem was the new lord and king
Gloria in excelsis deo
The angels continued to glorify and praise God
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Matthew Arnold Thiessen, Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind