Hark the Herald Angels Sing, from Family Christmas Online^TM

The words to "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" were written about 1739 by Charles Wesley. Wesley was the brother of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church and in a way, one of the first great modern evangelists. Charles helped John in many ways, but he also became a great hymn-writer in his own right, trying to put important religious concepts into the language of every day people.

For about a century, Wesley's words were sung to a tune that would sound rather gloomy to us today. Then composer Felix Mendelsson wrote a cantata that included the tune we know today. Englishman William H. Cummings put Wesley's words with Mendelsson's tune, and the song has not fallen out of use since.

Wesley's use of the term Emmanuel recognizes the Hebrew meaning of the name: "God with us." To Wesley, "Emmanuel" means that God is with us because He became man through the birth of Jesus. "Incarnate Deity" means that God literally inhabited "flesh and bones," and was pleased to live among humans as a human being Himself. To Wesley, although Jesus' mission wouldn't be complete until He had died and "risen with healing in His wings," the great foundation for our salvation was laid when God became human at Bethlehem. And to Wesley, that was plenty of reason for the angels to make a joyous and musical announcement.

To hear an MP3 file of the song click here.

To download the vocal sheet music for this song in pdf format, click here

To download the vocal/piano sheet music for this song in pdf format, click here

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!"

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!"

Hail the heav'n-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!"

If you have any corrections or comments you would like to make about this page, please contact me and I will be glad to hear from you. God bless - Paul