Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
St. James Cathedral Choir 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 th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’ Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King.’
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb: veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
risen 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 us second birth.
The lyrics to St. James Cathedral Choir's song Hark! The Herald Angels Sing are deeply symbolic and depict the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse starts by calling all nations to rise and join in celebrating the birth of the King. The second line honors the newborn King by proclaiming "Glory to the newborn King!" The third line speaks of peace and mercy, symbolizing the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of humanity with God. The fourth line refers to the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem.
The second verse of the song starts by calling Jesus Christ the "highest heav'n adored" and "everlasting Lord," highlighting His divinity. The following lines speak of His miraculous birth to a virgin, emphasizing His humanity. The phrase "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see" suggests that although Jesus was human, He was also fully divine. The verse ends with the proclamation of "Glory to the newborn King!"
The final verse of the song is a celebration of the gifts that Jesus Christ brings to the world. He is the Prince of Peace and the Son of Righteousness, bringing light, life, and healing to all. He was born so that humanity may find eternal life and salvation, and the song ends with the triumphant proclamation of "Glory to the newborn King!"
Line by Line Meaning
Hark the herald angels sing
Listen to the messengers of heavenly angels singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise and worship the newly born King of the world
Peace on earth and mercy mild
May the earth be filled with peace and merciful kindness
God and sinners reconciled"
The reunion of God and sinners who have returned to Him through Jesus Christ
Joyful, all ye nations rise
All nations, filled with joy, unite and stand up together
Join the triumph of the skies
Unite with the victory of heavenly forces
With the angelic host proclaim:
Together with the angels, make a bold proclamation
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ is worshiped by the heavenly realm
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Christ, who is eternal, is the Lord over all
Late in time behold Him come
He appeared at the appropriate, long-awaited time
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Born of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Though He is divine, He appeared in human form
Hail the incarnate Deity
Praise the Deity who has taken on human form
Pleased as man with man to dwell
He was happy to live as a man among men
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Jesus, who is with us always
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise and worship the newly born King of the world
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Greetings to the Prince of Peace, who was born in heaven
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Greetings to the Son who brings 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 with healing power
Mild He lays His glory by
He humbly puts aside His glory
Born that man no more may die
He was born to save mankind from death
Born to raise the sons of earth
He was born to raise the children of the earth
Born to give them second birth
He was born to give them a new life
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen to the messengers of heavenly angels singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise and worship the newly born King of the world
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FELIX MENDELSSOHN, JAMIE ARGON, RORY MARSDEN, WILLIAM H. CUMMINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind