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Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

2,028 views • Sep 26, 2022

Description

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Felix Mendelssohn, arr. Dan Forrest Conductor: Seth Bergey https://www.lyricasacra.com
The Historic Faith · Hymn Companion

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Words by Charles Wesley; altered by George Whitefield and othersMusic by Felix Mendelssohn; adapted by William H. CummingsWritten Tune MENDELSSOHN

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!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn 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 th' incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Story Behind the Song

Charles Wesley first published this Christmas hymn in Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739, beginning with the line “Hark how all the welkin rings.” George Whitefield altered the opening to the now-familiar “Hark! the herald angels sing” in the 1750s. The tune now associated with it comes from Felix Mendelssohn’s 1840 cantata Festgesang and was adapted for Wesley’s text by William H. Cummings in the mid-19th century.

Scripture

Found In

Hymns and Sacred Poems, Hymns Ancient and Modern, The English Hymnal, The Hymnal 1982, Trinity Hymnal, Lutheran Service Book