Angels We Have Heard on High is a popular Christmas carol, originally in French: Les Anges dans nos campagnes (“The Angels in our countryside.”) We’ve chosen the 1862 English translation by Roman Catholic Bishop, James Chadwick.
The Latin in excelsis Deo means “Glory to God in the highest.” Sing “Gloria” with rising and falling, sustained “o”: Glo-o-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-o-O-ri-a. Enjoy!
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly songs?
Gloria
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria
See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.
Gloria
