Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
779Resource Type:
Keys included:
F
About this Hymn
This beloved carol imagines all of humanity as it joins with the angels to glorify Christ the newborn King. Initially penned by Charles Wesley and included in his 1739 Methodist hymnal, it began as "Hark, how all the welkin rings," but George Whitefield did us all a favor by changing the words to "Hark! the herald angels sing." It was combined with the music of Felix Mendelssohn by English composer E. H. Cummings to become one of the most awe-inspiring expressions of the gospel ever written.
Lyrics
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 th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Chorus
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, th' incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Verse 3
Hail the heav'nborn Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun 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, peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Chorus
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, th' incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Verse 3
Hail the heav'nborn Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun 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.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739
Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1840; st. 3 harm., desc., David Willcocks from "Carols for Choirs 1" and "100 Carols for Choirs"
© 1961 Oxford University Press (Oxford University Press / www.oup.com)
Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1840; st. 3 harm., desc., David Willcocks from "Carols for Choirs 1" and "100 Carols for Choirs"
© 1961 Oxford University Press (Oxford University Press / www.oup.com)