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 in skies; With angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King." 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 the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King." 3. Hail the heav'n born 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."
Lyrics:
Charles Wesley
Music: Felix Mendelssohn
Tune: MENDELSSOHN
Meter: 7.7.7.7.D. with Refrain
Charles Wesley, 1707–1788
Christmas carols as we know them now were abolished by the English Puritan parliament in 1627 because they were a part of a “worldly festival,” which they considered the celebration of Christmas to be. As a result, there was a scarcity of Christmas hymns and carols in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Charles Wesley’s “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was one of the few written during this period. Wesley’s text and the melody, by master composer Felix Mendelssohn, have given this hymn its great popularity and its standing as a classic among Christmas songs.