Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
St. Olaf Choir / St. Olaf Cantorei / St. Olaf Chapel Choir / Manitou Singers / Viking Chorus / St. O Lyrics
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‘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 song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a beloved Christmas carol that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and the message of peace and reconciliation that his coming brought to the world. The lyrics evoke a sense of joy and triumph as they announce the arrival of the "newborn King" and call upon all nations to join in the celebration.
The opening lines, "Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!'" highlight the central theme of the song. The words "glory" and "peace" emphasize the significance of Jesus' birth and the hope it brings for humanity. The mention of "mercy mild" and "God and sinners reconciled" emphasize the idea that through Jesus, God has extended forgiveness and reconciliation to sinners.
The following verses further explore the nature of Christ and his mission on Earth. It describes Jesus as the "everlasting Lord" who has come into the world as a human being, born of a virgin. The line "veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity" speaks to the belief that Jesus, while fully human, is also divine. The reference to Jesus as "Emmanuel" means "God with us," emphasizing the closeness and accessibility of God through the incarnation.
The lyrics also proclaim Jesus as the "heaven-born Prince of Peace" and the "Sun of Righteousness," emphasizing his role as a bringer of light, life, and healing. In this context, his birth is seen as a transformative event, symbolizing the possibility of new life and redemption for all humanity.
Overall, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a song that expresses joy, gratitude, and worship for the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the themes of peace, reconciliation, and hope that his coming represents.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The messengers from heaven are singing
‘Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’
Praise and honor the newly born King, who brings peace and gentle mercy, reconciling God and sinners
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Nations of the world, full of joy, stand up
join the triumph of the skies
Join the glorious celebration in the heavens
with th’angelic hosts proclaim
Together with the angelic hosts, announce
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’
That Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The messengers from heaven are singing
‘Glory to the newborn King.’
Praise and honor the newly born King.
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, worshipped by the highest heaven
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Christ, the eternal ruler
late in time behold him come
In the fullness of time, witness his arrival
offspring of a virgin’s womb
born from a virgin mother
veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Behold the divine nature covered in human flesh
hail th’incarnate Deity
Greetings to the deity in human form
pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel
As a man dwelling among men, Jesus is our God with us
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Greetings to the Prince of Peace, born in heaven!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Greetings to the radiant source of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings
He brings light and life to everyone
risen with healing in his wings
Risen with healing power
Mild he lays his glory by
Gently, he sets aside his divine splendor
born that man no more may die
Born so that humanity may no longer face death
born to raise the sons of earth
Born to raise the people of this world
born to give us second birth
Born to grant us a new spiritual life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FELIX MENDELSSOHN, JAMIE ARGON, RORY MARSDEN, WILLIAM H. CUMMINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind