Angels We Have Heard on High

18th Century French Carolarrg. by Edward Shippen Barnes

France: The chorus, according to a French legend, was sung by the shepherds in imitation of the Heavenly Choir of Angels. It is a second century chorale that Pope Telesphorus ordered to be sung at each Christmas Eve mass. The refrain was joined with another French carol and the song we know today was created. The refrain is in italics. "Gloria in excelsis Deo" is Latin for "glory to God in the hightest." Music courtesy of St. Celia

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.

Glo-ria
In excelsis Deo
Glo-ria
In excelsis Deo

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav'ly song?

Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, (Some )adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the new-born King.

Refrain

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Refrain




Thank-you to J. S. Magic for the graphics