Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Preface
(Description, History, Interesting Facts, Lyrics, Music Sheets)

Hark the Herald Angels Sing is a Christmas carol composed by Charles Wesley, a poet and a writer notable for the commencement of Methodist movement in Church of England. This song first appeared in the book of “Hymns and Sacred Poems” in 1739. Wesley’s version of this song is slow and solemn and with opening as “Glory to the King of Kings” or "Hark! How all the Welkin Rings”.

Over the years, there has been a different versions of the song in which the most popular is George Whitefield’s. Whitefield changed the opening of the song. It was Felix Mendelssohn who wrote a cantata as tribute to the invention of printing press in 1840. Then, William H. Cummings, a musician, adapted the melody of the cantata to fit the “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” lyrics.

Lyrics of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the new-born 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!

Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored;

Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of the Virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Hail the incarnate Deity,

Pleased as man with man to dwell;

Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Refrain

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.

Risen with healing in his wings,

Light and life to all he brings,

Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Refrain

Come, Desire of nations come,

Fix in us Thy humble home;

Rise, the Woman's conquering Seed,

Bruise in us the Serpent's head.

Adam's likeness now efface:

Stamp Thine image in its place;

Second Adam, from above,

Reinstate us in thy love.
Refrain

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Chords and Music Sheets

Piano Music Sheet
Guitar Chords

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Youtube