Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
The Royal Choral Society Lyrics


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Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconcile
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host 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, the incarnate deity
Pleased as Man with to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

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
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the suns of earth
Born to give them second birth




Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Overall Meaning

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a classic Christmas song that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse speaks of the announcement of Christ's birth by the angels and the glory that is due to the newborn King. The second verse focuses on the divinity of Christ, who is described as the everlasting Lord and Son of God. The final verse speaks of Christ's mission on Earth, of bringing peace and healing to all, and saving mankind from spiritual death.


Verse one starts with the angels announcing the birth of Christ and calling for all nations to join them in praising Him. The song then moves on to speak of the peace brought about by Christ's birth, reconciling God and sinners. The second verse emphasizes the divinity of Jesus, who is described as the highest heaven's lord, and how he took on human form. The final verse is a declaration of the transformative power of Christ's birth, His commitment to heal the world, and bring salvation to people.


In summary, the lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" capture the central message of the Christmas season. The song describes the birth of Jesus as a joyful, miraculous occasion that brings peace, reconciliation, and salvation to humanity. It celebrates the divine nature of Christ and the transformational power of his mission.


Line by Line Meaning

Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The messenger angels are singing


Glory to the newborn King
Praise the new king who has just been born


Peace on earth, and mercy mild
Let there be peace on earth, and let mercy be shown


God and sinners reconcile
God has reconciled with the sinners


Joyful, all ye nations, rise
All nations should rise with joy


Join the triumph of the skies
Join the celebration in the skies


With the angelic host proclaim
Declare with the group of angels


'Christ is born in Bethlehem
Christ has been born in Bethlehem


Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ is adored by the highest heaven


Christ, the everlasting Lord
Christ is the eternal Lord


Late in time behold him come
He has come at a later time


Offspring of a virgin's womb
He is the son of a virgin


Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
See the Godhead disguised in flesh


Hail, the incarnate deity
Greetings to the God who has taken on human form


Pleased as Man with to dwell
He is pleased to live as a human


Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus is our Emmanuel!


Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Greetings to the Prince of peace who is born from heaven


Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Greetings to the Sun of righteousness!


Light and life to all he brings
He brings light and life to everyone


Risen with healing in his wings
He has risen with healing in his power


Mild he lays his glory by
He calmly sets aside his glory


Born that man no more may die
Born so that people won't die anymore


Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to raise the people of the earth


Born to give them second birth
Born to give them a new life


Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The messenger angels are singing


Glory to the newborn King
Praise the new king who has just been born




Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Abkco Music Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Wesley, Felix Mendelssohn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Vince B

This is one of my favorite performances

Karen Schuessler

This is a stunning recording. I am playing during this Christmas season of the pandemic for all three of my choirs to sing along to. We turn up the volume and feel a little more like Christmas. Thank you for this inspiring post.

The Choral Society of Grace Church

That's music to my ears, literally! Keep on singing - we will all be back together again soon. - John Maclay, Music Director

Alex Chigbo

Beautiful

Luise von Mecklenburg-Strelitz 1776

Heavens Voice

Does this version exist on CD?

Who disliked this ????????????????????? 😡

Highinsight7

Kings Collage Choir

mimmsey2

It's really a shame on such beautiful music and talented performers, that on all the mixes of these "Choral society of grace Church" the lyric is inaudible. All you can hear is organ and a few consonants here and there.

Highinsight7

I understood everything...!!!!

PierreR21

I understand what you mean- but there WAS a verse where it was acapella, so they could show off there. Its simply put that theres a point where human voices can't compete with the massive overtones of the organ

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