The role of the choir (numbering between 14 and 20) was to provide musical accompaniment to the church mass. The boys received a solid musical education, which in most cases had a significant impact on the rest of their lives, as many went on to become professional musicians. The composers Jacobus Gallus, Franz Schubert, and the conductors Hans Richter, Felix Mottl and Clemens Krauss were members of the choir.
In 1920 the Hofkapelle (court musicians) was disbanded. However, the rector at the time, Josef Schnitt, sought a continuation of the tradition. In 1924 the "Vienna Boys' Choir" was officially founded and has evolved into a professional music group. Since 1948 the Palais Augarten has served as their rehearsal venue and boarding school which goes from kindergarten level up to middle school level.
The choir is a private, not-for-profit organization. There are approximately 100 choristers between the ages of 10 and 14. The boys are divided into four touring choirs, which perform about 300 concerts each year in front of almost 500,000 people. Each group tours from nine to eleven weeks.
Dr. Eugen Jesser became the choir's president in 2001 and its executive director in 2003. Gerald Wirth, a former choirboy himself, became the choir's artistic director in 2001.
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
The Vienna Choir Boys 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 the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n 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 man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n 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 newborn King
The Vienna Choir Boys's rendition of the classic Christmas hymn "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" expresses the awe and wonder of the birth of Christ, and the message of peace and reconciliation it brings. The opening stanza rejoices in the salvation message of Christ's birth, declaring that "Glory" is due to the "newborn King". The second line emphasizes the significance of his birth by announcing that it has brought "Peace on earth and mercy mild" and that God has reconciled with sinful human beings. The third line thus sets the tone of the song, urging all nations to join in the triumph of the skies, to declare Christ's birth as the savior of the world.
The second stanza delves deeper into the mystery of Christ's birth, describing him as the "Heav'n adored" and "everlasting Lord". It emphasizes his humanity, born from a virgin's womb, while at the same time proclaiming his divinity, the "incarnate Deity." This striking combination is expressed in the phrase "veiled in flesh the Godhead see". The following lines reiterate the message of Emmanuel, the "God with us", who has come to dwell with humanity as one of us.
The final stanza hails Christ as the "Prince of peace" and the "Son of Righteousness", bringing light and life to all, with healing in his wings. The closing lines celebrate his sacrificial love, with Christ laying his glory, to be born as a helpless child, so that he might save all. It wraps up the song with a hopeful message of new beginnings, with Christ coming to give life to those who were once dead, declaring that he was "Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth".
Line by Line Meaning
Hark the herald angels sing
Listen to the angels singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
The angels are praising the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
May there be peace on Earth and may mercy be given
God and sinners reconciled
God has reconciled with sinners
Joyful, all ye nations rise
All nations should rejoice
Join the triumph of the skies
Celebrate in the triumph of the heavens
With the angelic host proclaim:
Proclaim with the angelic host
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Christ has been born in Bethlehem
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ is worshipped by the highest heavens
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Christ is the eternal Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Behold Him coming late in time
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
He is the offspring of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
The Godhead is hidden in flesh
Hail the incarnate Deity
Praise the God made flesh
Pleased as man with man to dwell
He is happy to live as a man
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Jesus is our God with us
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Praise the Prince of peace born from heaven
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Praise the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
He brings light and life to everyone
Ris'n with healing in His wings
He has risen with healing in his hands
Mild He lays His glory by
He gently lays his glory aside
Born that man no more may die
Born so that man may not die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to elevate the people of Earth
Born to give them second birth
Born to give them a chance at a new life
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen to the angels singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
The angels praise the newborn King
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Traditional, Felix Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind