A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Luke 2:13–14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men, on whom His favor rests.
Words: Traditional French carol (Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes). Translated from French to English by James Chadwick in Crown of Jesus, 1862.
Music: Gloria (Barnes) French carol tune, arranged by Edward S. Barnes (🔊 pdf nwc). For a different arrangement, see Hearken, All! What Holy Singing.
If you know where to get a better photo of Barnes,
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain
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 heav’nly song?
Refrain
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Refrain
See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
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Shepherds in the field abiding,
Tell us when the seraph bright
Greeted you with wondrous tiding,
What you saw and heard that night.
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We beheld—it is no fable—
God incarnate, King of bliss,
Swathed and cradled in a stable,
And the angel strain was this:
Refrain
Choristers on high were singing
Jesus and His virgin birth,
Heavenly bells the while a-ringing
Peace, good will to men on earth.
Refrain