Angels We Have Heard on High
The Vienna Boys Choir Lyrics

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Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echos in their joyous strains

Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria
In excelsis Deo!
Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria

In excelsis De-e-o!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your gladtime strain prolong?
Say what may the tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria
In excelsis Deo!
Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria
In excelsis De-e-o!

Come to Bethl'em, come and see
Whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
The infant Christ, the newborn King

Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria
In excelsis Deo!

Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria
In excelsis De-e-o!

Overall Meaning

The Vienna Boys Choir's "Angels We Have Heard on High" is a traditional Christmas carol that focuses on the birth of Jesus and the announcement of his arrival by angels. The first verse speaks of the angels singing joyously over the plains and mountains and their echoes. The repetition of "Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria" emphasizes the angels' message of "Glory to God in the highest" or "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" in Latin.

In the second verse, the shepherds are questioned as to why they are so joyful and what message they are trying to convey. These questions are answered by the repetitive chorus, further emphasizing the message of the angels. The final verse encourages listeners to come to Bethlehem and see the infant Christ, adoring him on bended knee as the newborn king.

Overall, the song reminds us of the miraculous events surrounding the birth of Jesus and celebrates the joy that his arrival brings.

Line by Line Meaning

Angels we have heard on high
We have heard angels in the sky above us.

Sweetly singing o'er the plains
They were singing in a pleasant voice across the flatlands.

And the mountains in reply
And the mountains echoed in response.

Echos in their joyous strains
Their joyful melodies reverberated in the air.

Glor-or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or, Or-or-or-or-or-ria
Repeatedly glorifying and praising the Lord.

In excelsis Deo!
In the highest, God's glory!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why are you so overjoyed, shepherds?

Why your gladtime strain prolong?
Why do you keep singing your happy song?

Say what may the tidings be?
Tell us, what news do you bring?

Which inspire your heavenly song?
What inspired you to sing this holy tune?