Angels We Have Heard on High
Vanessa Williams Tony Bennett Placido Domingo Lyrics
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Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis deo
Gloria in excelsis deo
Shepherds, why this jubilee
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song
Gloria in excelsis deo
Gloria in excelsis deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angles sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, our newborn King
Gloria in excelsis deo
Gloria in excelsis deo
Gloria (Angels we have heard on high)
Gloria (Sweetly singing o'er the plains)
Gloria (And the mountains in reply)
Gloria (Echoing their joyous strains)
The lyrics of "Angels We Have Heard on High" paint a vivid picture of the joy and wonder that surrounded the birth of Christ. The first stanza describes the heavenly choir of angels, whose sweet song echoes throughout the plains and mountains, spreading the news of Christ's birth. The phrase "Gloria in excelsis deo" is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest," and is repeated throughout the song as a rejoicing of the good news.
In the second stanza, the shepherds are addressed and asked why they are filled with such jubilation. The answer to that question is revealed in the following lines, as the shepherds are reminded that they are witnessing the birth of the Messiah, an event of incredible magnitude and significance. The angelic choir continues to sing "Gloria in excelsis deo," as the shepherds and all who hear their song join in the celebration.
The final stanza of the song urges all to come to Bethlehem and see the newborn King for themselves. The image of bowed heads and adoration ("Come adore on bended knee") emphasizes the reverence and awe that were felt by those who witnessed the arrival of the Savior. The song closes with another joyful chorus of "Gloria," as all who have heard the good news join in the singing.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have heard on high
We have heard the angels singing happily up high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
Their singing is sweetly floating over the countryside
And the mountains in reply
The mountains echoed their joyful melody and responded in kind
Echoing their joyous strains
The mountains reverberated their happy tunes
Gloria in excelsis deo
Glory to God in the highest
Shepherds, why this jubilee
Shepherds, why are you so joyous?
Why your joyous strains prolong
Why do you keep singing joyfully?
What the gladsome tidings be
What news of joy have you received?
Which inspire your heavenly song
What inspired your celestial singing?
Come to Bethlehem and see
Come to Bethlehem and witness for yourself
Him whose birth the angels sing
The one who was born and sung by the angels
Come adore on bended knee
Kneel before Him and worship
Christ the Lord, our newborn King
Jesus Christ is born and He is our King
Gloria (Angels we have heard on high)
Glory to God (because we have heard the angels singing happily up high)
Gloria (Sweetly singing o'er the plains)
Glory to God (because they are singing sweetly over the countryside)
Gloria (And the mountains in reply)
Glory to God (because the mountains echoed their joyful melody and responded in kind)
Gloria (Echoing their joyous strains)
Glory to God (because the mountains reverberated their happy tunes)
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARTHUR FERRANTE, LOUIS TEICHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind