Five- piece from Toledo, Ohio Matt Hammitt (lead vocals), Mark Graalman (drums), Chris Rohman and Pete Prevost (guitars), and Dan Gartley replacing Steve Goodrum(bass).
Often quoted as "Electrifying Christian Rock" with the rock edge of bands like Foo Fighters and songwriting of Matchbox 20. They are mostly known for a trio of chart-topping hits—“Everything About You,” “The Fight Song” and a cover of U2’s “Beautiful Day”.
Their albums include:
All This Talk of Aliens - 1998
Message for the Masses - 1999
Nothing to Lose - 2001
Say it Loud - 2002
The Face of Love - 2006
We Need Each Other - 2007
and... Pieces of a Real Heart, which Sanctus Real held a vote on Twitter and Facebook to decide the title. - 2010
Angels We Have Heard On High
Sanctus Real Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strain.
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
See Him in a manger lay,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
Angels we have heard on high
The mountains tremble in reply.
Angels we have heard on high
Oh, the mountains tremble in reply.
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
The opening lines of "Angels We Have Heard on High" describe a scene of heavenly angels singing joyously over the plains and mountains, with their ecstatic melodies echoing back in reply. This captivating picture sets the tone for the rest of the song, as it invites the listener to come and witness with their own eyes the newborn King, the Christ whose birth the angels sing about. Throughout the verses, the song encourages us to approach this newborn King with adoration on bended knee, to recognize the beauty of the moment in which Mary and Joseph witness the songs of the angelic choir reverberating through the air.
The chorus repeats the melody of "Gloria in excelsis Deo" three times, which is a Latin phrase meaning "Glory to God in the highest." This phrase was inspired by the words of the angels as recorded in the Gospel of Luke when they announced the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah to the humble shepherds. This moment ignited a sense of awe among those present, who then spread the news throughout the land. The song portrays the mountains themselves trembling with excitement in response to the celestial hymns. Thus, as it progresses, "Angels We Have Heard on High" paints an immersive and delightful picture of the heavenly announcement of the coming of Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have heard on high
We have heard angels singing beautifully in the sky.
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
The angels are singing joyously over the open fields.
And the mountains in reply
The mountains are echoing back in response.
Echoing their joyous strain
The mountains are echoing the same joyful melody.
Come to Bethlehem and see
Visit Bethlehem and witness something amazing.
Christ Whose birth the angels sing
The angels are singing about the birth of Christ.
Come, adore on bended knee
Come and worship Christ while kneeling down.
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Christ is the Lord and the new king just born.
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria
Praise and worship! Praise and worship! Praise and worship!
in excelsis Deo!
In the highest heavens and the glory of God!
See Him in a manger lay
Look at Christ who is lying in a manger.
Whom the choirs of angels praise
The choirs of angels are also singing praises for Christ.
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
Mary and Joseph, please come help.
While our hearts in love we raise
Meanwhile, let's lift our hearts up in praise and thanksgiving.
The mountains tremble in reply
The mountains are shaking in response.
Oh, the mountains tremble in reply
Wow! The mountains are really shaking in response!
Writer(s): TRADITIONAL, RUTTER JOHN MILFORD
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Juan Rojas
Excelente Muchachos Dios los Bendiga !!!
Muy buena Música
Evelyn Alvarado
I love Santus Real. The best group. God bless Santos Real!
SaraLeuterioMusic
Wow! I love what you did with this song! Great job, Sanctus Real! God bless! =)
Amy T
Sanctus Real is my favourite band, and Angels we have heard on high is my favorite Christmas song. These two together?? AMAZING
Cathy Lookabaugh
Who could hit the "Dislike" button?? I think there has to be people who just don't like anything! LOL This is amazing!!! Love these boys!
Scarlet C.
Excelente versión <3 I love it, GOD Bless you guys, greetings from Honduras
Ashley D.
GLORIA ! Great song ! Sanctus Real I love you music !
Joseph Raymer
I love this song.
Matt Toews
Ooh, now this is a great cover of the song! I love it!
Kenny Melchisedeck
Thank You dear Jesus!