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Traditional French Melody
Translated by James Chadwick 1862
Verse 1
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strain
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Verse 2
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly songs?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Verse 3
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Angels We Have Heard On High (James Chadwick)… (Edward Shippen Barnes)
"Angels We Have Heard on High" is a traditional Christmas carol. The lyrics were written by James Chadwick in the 19th century, and the melody is based on a French carol. The hymn's joyful refrain, "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Glory to God in the highest), celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and the angels' proclamation to the shepherds.
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