Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Lyrics to Hymn) and Music Track

Verse 1

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!"

Verse 2 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!"

Verse 3

Hail the heaven 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!

Verse 4

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving pow’r,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Verse 5

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

By Apostle Quinson Thomas. Updated on January 22, 2025.

The Famed Christian Reformer Charles Wesley wrote the lyrics to Hark The Herald Angels Sing. I remember as a little boy, singing Christmas music, and this was one of my favorite songs to sing.
The music, written by Felix Mendelssohn, in 1840, sounds really good on the organ.
The Christmas carol lyrics that we've provided above talk about the herald angels as they proclaim the glory of God and pronounce to the earth peace to whom He favors.
This hymn shows the powerful beginning to the work of God in Christ, and the glorious beginning to the life of righteousness that He would bring to all who believe upon His Name.
The hymn ends with a proclamation that all of God including His life and righteousness would be given as His work in and through them comes to its fulfillment.

May the risen Lord Jesus dwell in our hearts by faith and His glory be seen in and through us to the glory of the everlasting Lord, Jesus Christ.

Hymn Information:

Title: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Author / Lyricist: Charles Wesley; revised by George Whitefield
Composer / Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, adapted by William H. Cummings – Mendelssohn
Date Written / Published: 1739; tune pairing 1855
Historical Context: Born from early Methodist hymn traditions.
Theme / Message: The incarnation and mission of Christ.
Notable Features: Majestic tune; rich theological expressions.
Cultural / Religious Impact: Core Christmas hymn worldwide.
Source / Scholarship: A Treasury of Wesleyan Hymns

Scholarly Views On This Hymn:

Brooke Foss Westcott — University of Cambridge

The hymn exalts Christ’s incarnation and redemptive purpose. Westcott emphasizes its doctrinal clarity on the dual nature of Christ.

John A. Broadus — The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The hymn presents the gospel in poetic form, blending worship and theology. Broadus stresses its teaching function in proclaiming Christ’s atonement.

Charles Hodge — Princeton Theological Seminary

The hymn reinforces Christological truth and the universality of salvation. Hodge notes its careful adherence to Scripture in proclaiming God’s plan.

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield — Princeton Theological Seminary

The hymn highlights the incarnation as God’s decisive act of intervention in history. Warfield stresses that its majestic tone underlines the objective reality of salvation.

Handley Carr Glyn Moule — University of Cambridge

The hymn invites believers to respond to the angelic announcement with praise. Moule notes its enduring use in liturgy as a doctrinally rich carol.

History of Its Use:

Charles Wesley’s hymn, Hark The Herald Angels Sing (1739), has been a central Christmas carol in Christian worship for nearly three centuries. It is used in services, concerts, and nativity celebrations to proclaim Christ’s incarnation and redemptive mission. Over time, it has appeared in hymnals worldwide, often paired with Mendelssohn’s triumphant tune, and performed by choirs, congregations, and soloists. Its enduring popularity reflects its theological richness, doctrinal clarity, and ability to inspire joyful corporate worship during Christmastide.