Hark! What Mean Those Holy Voices?

Suddenly there was…a great company of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13–14

Words: John Cawood, in Selection of Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use, by Thomas Cotterill (London: 1819).

Music: Rathbun Ithamar Conkey, 1849 (🔊 ).

Alternate Tunes:

Angel Choir John H. Gower, 1895 (🔊 )
Bethany (Smart) Henry T. Smart, 1857 (🔊 )
Derby Francis Boot (1813–1904) (🔊 )
Marsett Clara A. Macirone,1864 (🔊 )
Sebastian (Hodges) John S. B. Hodges (1830–1915) (🔊 )
St. Oswald John B. Dykes, 1857 (🔊 )
Stuttgart adapted by Henry J. Gauntlett (1805–1876) (🔊 )
Tjäna English tune, from Oskar Ahnfelt’s Sänger (År det ringa kall att tjäna) (🔊 )

If you know where to get a good picture of Cawood (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you send us an e-mail?

Hark! what mean those holy voices,
Sweetly sounding through the skies?
Lo! the angelic host rejoices
Heavenly hallelujahs rise.

Listen to the wondrous story,
Which they chant in hymns of joy;
“Glory in the highest, glory;
Glory be to God most high!

“Peace on earth, good will from Heaven,
Reaching far as man is found;
Souls redeemed, and sins forgiven;
Loud our golden harps shall sound.

“Christ is born, the great Anointed;
Heaven and earth His praises sing:
O receive whom God appointed,
For your prophet, priest and king.

Hasten, mortals to adore Him;
Learn His name and taste His joy;
Till in Heav’n you sing before Him,
Glory be to God most high!

Let us learn the wondrous story
Of our great Redeemer’s birth;
Spread the brightness of His glory
Till it cover all the earth.

HARK! WHAT MEAN THOSE HOLY VOICES?

Scripture Verse

Introduction

Lyrics