Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The Everly Brothers (Holiday) Lyrics


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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 th' 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 favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men 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 son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.




Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"

Overall Meaning

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a Christian hymn and is believed to have been written by Charles Wesley. The song is based on the nativity scene and describes the arrival of Jesus Christ on earth. The song was first published in 1739 in a collection called Hymns and Sacred Poems, under the name "Hymn for Christmas-Day". The tune used for the song today was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840, which was part of a cantata. The song is widely sung during Christmas around the world, and its lyrics are focused on the three beliefs of the Christian faith: the birth of Jesus Christ, peace on Earth, and salvation for all humanity.


The first stanza of the song begins with an exuberant proclamation of the angels, calling for glory to the new-born king. The lyrics further state that peace on earth and mercy have been given to all, signifying that the arrival of Jesus Christ brings new hope for humanity. The second stanza describes the key attributes of Jesus Christ, stating that he is adored in the highest heaven and is the everlasting Lord. Christians believe that the birth of Jesus Christ is a miracle, and hence he is described as the Offspring of the favoured one, Mary.


The final verse describes Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace, bringing light and life to all. It is said that through his birth and death, he has risen with healing in his wings, making him the only hope for salvation. The song ends with a message of hope and redemption, stating that through Christ, humans have gotten a second chance to live.


Line by Line Meaning

Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The messengers of God are proclaiming


"Glory to the new-born King!
Praise and honor to the newly born ruler


Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
May there be calm and kindness in the world


God and sinners reconciled."
The divine and sinful have been brought together.


Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
All nations, rise up in happiness


Join the triumph of the skies;
Be a part of this heavenly victory


With th' angelic host proclaim,
Join the celestial beings in proclaming


"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
The savior has been born in Bethlehem.


Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ is worshiped by the highest level of heaven


Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Christ is the eternal ruler


Late in time behold him come,
He has arrived later than expected


Offspring of the favoured one.
Descendent of the favored one


Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
God made incarnate


Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Greetings to the divine in human form


Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
He is delighted to live among humans as one of them


Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus is our savior, also known as Emmanuel


Hail! the heaven-born
Greetings to the one born of the heavens


Prince of peace!
The ruler who brings peace


Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Greetings to the son of righteousness


Light and life to all he brings,
He brings illumination and vitality to all


Risen with healing in his wings
He has risen and brings healing to all


Mild he lays his glory by,
He humbly relinquishes his glory


Born that man no more may die:
Born so that man may attain immortalilty


Born to raise the son of earth,
He was born to elevate humanity


Born to give them second birth.
Born to grant them spiritual rebirth


Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The messengers of God are proclaiming


"Glory to the new-born King!"
Praise and honor to the newly born ruler




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES WESLEY, FELIX MENDELSSOHN, WILLIAM H. CUMMINGS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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