Setting the standard for choral excellence for… Read Full Bio ↴Joe Miller, conductor
Setting the standard for choral excellence for 90 years, the Westminster Choir is composed of students at Westminster Choir College, a division of Rider University’s Westminster College of the Arts, in Princeton, N.J. It has been the chorus-in-residence for the Spoleto Festival USA since 1977, performing both in concert and as the opera chorus.
The ensemble’s 2010-2011 season includes a concert tour of Florida, performances at its home in Princeton, a broadcast of Westminster’s annual An Evening of Readings and Carols holiday concert and its annual residency at the Spoleto Festival USA.
Its second recording with Maestro Miller, Noël, was released in September. A collection of French Christmas music and sacred works, the recording also features Westminster alumna Jennifer Larmore, the most recorded mezzo-soprano of our era, and organist Ken Cowan, a member of Westminster’s faculty. The recording is also the centerpiece of the PRI Radio broadcast Noël – A Christmas from Paris, hosted by Bill McGlaughlin.
The choir’s debut recording with Maestro Miller, Flower of Beauty, received four stars from Choir and Organ magazine and earned critical praise from American Record Guide, which described the Westminster Choir as “the gold standard for academic choirs in America.”
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Westminster Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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,
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.
The song Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is a classic Christmas carol that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The opening line, "Hark! the herald angels sing," is a call to attention, urging the listener to pay attention to the song's message. The lyrics go on to describe the glory and peace that Jesus brings to earth, proclaiming Him the "newborn King." The Angels, in their triumph, hail Jesus' birth in Bethlehem.
The second verse professes Christ as the highest heaven adored, the everlasting Lord. Regardless that Christ was born late in time, he is of virgin birth, symbolizing the miracle of God. The phrase "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see" alludes to Jesus being the incarnation of God Himself. The line "Pleased as Man with Man to dwell" emphasizes that God chose to become human, in order to live and experience humanity's circumstance.
In the final verse, Jesus is hailed as the "heaven-born Prince of Peace." The words describe Him as the Sun of Righteousness, who brings light and life to all humans. He has come to earth, taking the whole humanity under his wing. It ends with "Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth," signifying a renewal and second chance for human beings, birth that will last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The angels who proclaim important news are singing,
Glory to the newborn King,
Praise the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
Peace and kindness for all the people on earth,
God and sinners reconcile.
God and sinners have become friends again.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
All the nations should be happy and stand up,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Be a part of the celebration that is happening in the heavens,
with the angelic host proclaim,
Declare along with the angels,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem'
That Christ was born in Bethlehem.
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ who was loved by the highest heaven,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Christ who is the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
He came at a later time,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Born of a mother who was still a virgin.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
The divine nature is hidden behind human flesh;
Hail, the incarnate deity,
Greetings to the God who became flesh,
Pleased as Man with to dwell,
He was happy to live as a man,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus, who is our God who is with us!
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Greetings to the Prince of Peace who is 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 to bring healing with him.
Mild he lays his glory by,
He humbly lays aside his glory,
Born that man no more may die,
He was born so that man would not die anymore,
Born to raise the suns of earth,
Born to raise the people of earth who have been spiritually dead,
Born to give them second birth.
Born to give them a new spiritual birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The angels who proclaim important news are singing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Praise the newborn King.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bartholdy Felix Mendelssohn, Daniel Martin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind