Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Rev. Charles Wesley 1707-1788Felix Mendelssohn 1809-1847

Endland: Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist church, wrote this hymn in 1739. Wesley wrote over 6000 hymns in his life time. The melody for this hymn is part of a choral work that Mendelssohn wrote in 1840. Cummings combined these two works in 1854. Neither composer had heard the hymn as it is sung today. The refrain is in italics. To hear the music for this hymn click on the button. Choose Traditional #2.

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 th'angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!

Christ, by highest heav'n adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of (a/the) Virgin's womb.
(of the favoured one.)
Veil'd in flesh, the God-head see,
Hail, th'Incarnate Deity,
Pleased, as Man, with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!

Hail! the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
(Hail! the crimson lord of peace)
Hail! the (Son/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 sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!

(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.
Ris'n with healing in His wings,
Light and life to all He brings,
Hail! the (Son/Sun) of Righteousness!
Hail! the heav'n-born Prince of peace!)

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!




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