Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral 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 opening line of the song, "Hark! the herald angels sing," encourages listeners to pay attention and listen to the message being conveyed: "Glory to the newborn King". The idea is that heavenly angels are singing about the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the King that is being celebrated. The next lines, "peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!" suggest that the birth of Jesus Christ is a moment of peace and reconciliation between mankind and God, which is why it is something that is being celebrated by the angels in heaven.
The chorus, "Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic hosts proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’" implies that the song is calling for everyone, regardless of their nationality, to join in the celebration of Christmas. The second verse of the song, "Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb," describes the divinity of Jesus Christ and how he came into the world through a wondrous and miraculous birth.
The third verse, "Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings," continues the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as the savior of the world, who brings light, life, and healing to all who follow him. The final verse, "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," suggests that the birth of Jesus Christ serves the purpose of giving mankind a second chance at redemption and eternal life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The angels who bring good news are singing
‘Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’
Praise to the new King who brings peace and mercy to reconcile God and sinners
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
Everyone in the world, rise up joyfully and join the celebration of the angels
with th’angelic hosts proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’
Together with the angels, announce that Christ is born in Bethlehem
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Christ who is adored by heaven above, and who is the eternal Lord
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb:
At a late time, see him come as the child of a virgin's womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
Although in human form, recognize that the Godhead resides within him and hail the embodiment of God
pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
He is pleased to live among us as a man, being Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Give praise to the Prince of Peace who was born in heaven
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Praise the Sun of Righteousness
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
He brings light and life to everyone, and has risen with the power to heal
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.
He humbly set aside his glory in order to be born as a human, so that humans may find everlasting life and be born again through him
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FELIX MENDELSSOHN, JAMIE ARGON, RORY MARSDEN, WILLIAM H. CUMMINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joseazevedo1061
Hark! the herald angels sing
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 angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of the Virgin's womb
Hail the Flesh, the God Head see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man 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 sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King
@doctrinematters6900
The most beautiful rendition of this hymn one will ever hear! May John Scott rest in peace, and through the mercy of Christ may light perpetual shine upon him and all the faithful departed.
@angiebarrett8780
RIP Mr. Scott. You'll always be remembered for the joy you brought us through the years. Your stellar artistry and quiet dignity.
Nobody Did It Better.
@angiebarrett8780
This is simply rapturous. RIP John Scott.
Soli Deo Gloria
@bert-hassokemnitz8580
My Lord, what a majestic Sound. Great British Tradition.
@bucanon001
I can't stop listening to this. Hard week at work and this is helping me focus and relax. How inspiring. Thank you for posting.
@Servilio1000
Maravilloso y solemne. Eleva el espíritu esta canción de Navidad con el órgano, orquesta y todos cantando. Muchas gracias.
@magnar52
It`s good for health to listen to this music
@joseazevedo1061
Hark! the herald angels sing
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 angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of the Virgin's womb
Hail the Flesh, the God Head see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man 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 sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King
@tinkaluisa8540
RIP Sir David Willcocks and John Scott.
@MrGeneralJB
About 14 years since this happen. =,( Beautiful, Just Beautiful!