Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Thomas Kinkade Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hark the herald angels sing
"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"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" speak of the joyous announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope that his arrival brings to the world. The song begins with the angels singing, proclaiming "Glory to the newborn King!" This signifies the reverence and adoration directed towards Jesus as the Savior and the King of all. The angels also announce that with the birth of Jesus, peace on earth and mercy are bestowed upon humanity, signifying the reconciliation between God and sinners.


The song then encourages all nations to rise joyfully and join in the celebration of Jesus' birth, acknowledging the triumph of his arrival. The angels proclaim that Jesus is born in Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Messiah as prophesied in the Scriptures. The repetition of "Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King!" throughout the verses emphasizes the exaltation and praise directed towards Jesus.


The second verse delves deeper into the significance of Jesus' birth. He is described as the one adored by the highest heavens, the everlasting Lord. The lyrics acknowledge the miraculous nature of his birth, being born of a virgin, an event that fulfills the prophecy mentioned in the Old Testament. The line "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate Deity" emphasizes the belief that Jesus is both fully man and fully God. The verse concludes with the declaration that Jesus, as Emmanuel (meaning "God with us"), is pleased to dwell among humanity.


The final verse hails Jesus as the heav'n-born Prince of peace and the Son of Righteousness. He is depicted as a bringer of light, life, and healing. The lyrics speak of Jesus willingly laying aside his heavenly glory to be born as a human, with the purpose of preventing mankind from facing eternal death. Jesus' birth is celebrated as the means to give all humanity a second birth, offering the opportunity for spiritual redemption and eternal life. The song ends with the repetition of "Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King!" to reaffirm the joy and adoration inspired by Jesus' birth.


Line by Line Meaning

Hark the herald angels sing
Listen attentively to the angels who announce good news


"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise and honor the newly born King


Peace on earth and mercy mild
May there be peace and gentle compassion on earth


God and sinners reconciled
God has brought sinners back into harmony with Him


Joyful, all ye nations rise
All nations should rise up in joy


Join the triumph of the skies
Be a part of the victorious celebration in the heavens


With the angelic host proclaim:
Declare alongside the angelic beings


"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
The Messiah is born in Bethlehem


Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ worshipped by the highest heavens


Christ the everlasting Lord!
Christ is the eternal ruler


Late in time behold Him come
At the appointed time, witness His arrival


Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Born from the womb of a Virgin


Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Recognize the divine nature concealed in human form


Hail the incarnate Deity
Greetings to the God made manifest in human form


Pleased as man with man to dwell
Delighted to live among mankind


Jesus, our Emmanuel
Jesus, our God is with us


Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Greetings to the Prince of peace born of heaven


Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Greetings to the Son who brings righteousness


Light and life to all He brings
He brings illumination and vitality to everyone


Ris'n with healing in His wings
Risen with the power to heal and restore


Mild He lays His glory by
He humbly sets aside His radiant splendor


Born that man no more may die
Born so that mankind may never die again


Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to lift up the people of the world


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


Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen attentively to the angels who announce good news


"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise and honor the newly born King




Lyrics © 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
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found