Angels We Have Heard on High
Sarah Morgann Lyrics

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angels we had heard on high
sweetly singing o'er the plains
and the mountains in reply

echo back their joyous strains
gloria in excelsis Deo
gloria in excelsis Deo

Shepherds, why this jubilee
say what may the tidings be
why your joyous strains prolong
which inspire your heav'nly song
gloria in excelsis Deo
gloria in excelsis Deo

du du du du du du du
du du du du du du du
du du du du du du du
du du du du du du du

Gloria in excelsis Deo
gloria in excelsis Deo

Come ro bethlehem and see
Come adore on bended knee
Him whose birth the angels sing
Christ, the Lord, the new born king

Gloria in excelsis Deo
gloria in excelsis Deo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sarah Morgann's "Angels We Have Heard on High" are a call to joy and celebration for the birth of Christ. The opening lines evoke a pastoral setting where angels are singing sweetly over the plains and the mountains echoing back their strains. The use of geography in the song underscores the transcendental nature of the event that has just occurred. The heavenly hosts' song is so powerful that it reverberates throughout the natural world. The chorus, which repeats twice throughout the song, is simple yet powerful: "Gloria in excelsis Deo," meaning "glory to God in the highest."

The second verse of the song is directed towards the shepherds who are watching over their flocks. The shepherds are perplexed and surprised by the jubilation that has occurred. They have come to bear witness to a momentous event that they cannot fully comprehend. The question that they pose in the song reflects their confusion: "Say what may the tidings be?" Despite their uncertainty, their joyous strains continue to ring out, inspired by the heavenly song.

The final verse is a call to action, inviting all to worship at the feet of the newborn king. The tone of the song shifts from one of exuberance to one of reverence, as the listener is invited to come to Bethlehem and witness the miracle of Christ. The song concludes with the chorus once again, bringing the message of the song full circle.

Line by Line Meaning

angels we had heard on high
We heard angels singing loudly and beautifully across the plains

sweetly singing o'er the plains
The angels sang with a gentle and pleasant melody across the open land

and the mountains in reply
The mountains echoed back the sounds of the joyful angels

echo back their joyous strains
The mountains repeated the happy notes of the angels' song

gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest

Shepherds, why this jubilee
Why are you shepherds so full of joy?

say what may the tidings be
Please tell us what news you have heard

why your joyous strains prolong
Why do you continue to sing so happily?

which inspire your heav'nly song
What inspired your beautiful, angelic song?

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest

gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest