He became widely known for his version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" (1982), as well as his own compositions "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969) and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore" (1970), his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell" (his only single to hit the US Billboard Hot 100, making it to the Top 20).
Whittakers first chart success came in 1969 when "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was his first UK Top 20 hit. In 1970 came two follow-up hits, "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (Top 10) and "New World In The Morning" (Top 20), and 1971 brought two smaller hit singles "Why" and "Mamy Blue".
Whittaker was absent from the UK singles chart until 1975, when "The Last Farewell" went Top 3, after which it was another eleven years until "Skye Boat Song" returned him to the Top 10 of the singles chart.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Whittaker had success in Germany, with German language songs produced by Nick Munro (unable to speak German at that time, Whittaker sang the songs phonetically). In time he became more fluent in German and sang and was interviewed in German on Danish television in November 2008. Whittaker retired from touring in 2013.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
"Glory to the new-born King!
Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!
Hail! the heaven-born
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King !"
The lyrics to Roger Whittaker's version of Hark The Herald Angels Sing celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the new-born King. The song speaks of the peace on earth and the mercy that people receive as God and sinners are reconciled. The message reminds us that everyone should be joyful and rise, joining in the triumph of the skies while the angelic host proclaims the birth of Christ, which happened in Bethlehem. The chorus of "Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born King!'" is repeated twice to strongly emphasize the message of the song.
The second verse adores Christ, who is everlastingly acknowledged in the highest heaven. As the offspring of the favored one, he came into this world in human form, and the lyrics urge us to hail with reverence this incarnate deity in flesh that is well-pleased to dwell with mankind. The chorus, "Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born King!'" is repeated, signifying the start of a new era of peace and prosperity for all mankind.
The final verse introduces us to the "Prince of Peace," the heaven-born son of righteousness who spreads light and life everywhere he goes. The lyrics symbolize his arrival with the image of his risen self, bringing healing with his wings. His glory is humbly laid by, as he is born and dies to give human beings eternal life. The chorus is repeated for the last time, "Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born King!'" serving as a reminder that this is the event that everyone celebrates during the festive season.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The angels are singing.
"Glory to the new-born King!
Praise the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
May there be peace on earth and merciful actions.
God and sinners reconciled."
God has brought together sinners to reconcile them.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
All nations should rise up in joy.
Join the triumph of the skies;
Be a part of the victorious heavens.
With th' angelic host proclaim,
Proclaim along with the angelic host.
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Christ has been born in Bethlehem.
Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ is adored by heaven.
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Christ is the eternal Lord.
Late in time behold him come,
His arrival has been delayed until now.
Offspring of the favored one.
He is the offspring of the chosen one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Even though he is divine, he is clothed in flesh.
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Praise to the God who has taken on human form.
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
He is happy to live among men as one of them.
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus is our Emmanuel.
Hail! the heaven-born
Praise the one who was born in heaven.
Prince of peace!
He is the Prince who brings peace.
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Praise the Son of Righteousness.
Light and life to all he brings,
He brings both light and life to everyone.
Risen with healing in his wings
He has been resurrected and brings healing with him.
Mild he lays his glory by,
He humbly sets his glory aside.
Born that man no more may die:
He was born so that men might not have to die anymore.
Born to raise the son of earth,
He was born to raise humanity.
Born to give them second birth.
He was born to grant them a second chance at life.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The angels are singing.
"Glory to the new-born King !"
Praise the new-born King!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEROY ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nigel
on Jenny
I'm not sure by any means, but I wonder whether taking the midnight train is ultimately a metaphor for a more final journey. I also wonder if RW had someone specific in mind whose fate prompted this powerful song. I like it very much.