Angels We Have Heard on High
The Jordanaires Lyrics


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Angels we have heard on high,
Singing sweetly through the night,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tiding did you hear?
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the new-born King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See him in a manger laid
Whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While we raise our hearts in love.




Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Overall Meaning

The Jordanaires’ song “Angels We Have Heard on High” describes the experience of shepherds in Bethlehem who witnessed the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse describes the beauty and power of the angels’ singing as they announced the arrival of the newborn king. The second verse is a question posed to the shepherds about why they are jubilant and celebrating. The song goes on to describe the scene in Bethlehem, encouraging the listener to come and see the baby Jesus who the angels were praising. The final verse notes the significance of the moment, with even Mary and Joseph aiding onlookers in their worship of the new king.


The hymn’s use of the Latin phrase “Gloria in excelsis Deo” is significant because it translates to “Glory to God in the highest.” This phrase has been a part of Christian liturgy for centuries and is still used in modern worship today. The song’s focus on the angels’ message to the shepherds and the invitation to come and see the Christ child is a reminder that Jesus’ birth was not only for Mary and Joseph, but for all people.


Overall, the song conveys a message of joy, hope and worship in response to the incredible news of Jesus’ birth. It encourages listeners to join in the celebration and experience the wonder that was present that night in Bethlehem.


Line by Line Meaning

Angels we have heard on high,
We have heard the angels sing up high in the night sky


Singing sweetly through the night,
Their singing is beautiful and sweet as it echoes through the night


And the mountains in reply
The mountains respond to the angels' singing


Echoing their brave delight.
The mountains join in with the angels' joyful singing


Gloria in excelsis Deo.
This is a phrase of praise, meaning 'glory to God in the highest'


Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why are the shepherds so filled with joy?


Why these songs of happy cheer?
Why are they singing such happy songs?


What great brightness did you see?
What did you see that filled you with such brightness and joy?


What glad tiding did you hear?
What good news did you hear that caused such joyful singing?


Come to Bethlehem and see
Come and witness for yourself


Him whose birth the angels sing;
The angels are singing because of the birth of the one you will see


Come, adore on bended knee
Come and worship, bowing down in reverence


Christ, the Lord, the new-born King.
The one born in Bethlehem is Christ, the King and Lord


See him in a manger laid
He is lying in a manger


Whom the angels praise above;
The angels are praising him, acknowledging his greatness


Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
Mary and Joseph, please help us honor him


While we raise our hearts in love.
Together we will express our love and devotion


Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Once again, we offer our praise to God in the highest


Gloria in excelsis Deo.
The phrase of praise is repeated as a joyful refrain




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRADITIONAL, MACK DONALD III BROCK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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