Lyrics Page
Angels We Have Heard On High
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Sep 8, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Song Meaning
This beloved carol retells the night angels announced Christ's birth to shepherds, their singing echoing across the plains and mountains. The repeated Latin refrain, meaning 'Glory to God in the highest,' anchors the song in praise. It invites listeners to journey to Bethlehem, see the newborn King, and worship Him on bended knee. The lyrics capture the wonder of the incarnation—God entering the world as a vulnerable infant—and the joy that compels both angels and shepherds to celebrate. The call to 'come and adore' shifts from narration to personal invitation, making the ancient story immediate. Tasha Layton's rendition likely preserves the hymn's reverent awe while adding a contemporary warmth, reminding us that the Christmas message is not just historical but present, inviting each generation to respond with the same jubilant praise. The song's enduring power lies in its simple yet profound focus: the birth of Christ as the pivotal moment of salvation, worthy of heavenly and earthly acclaim.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
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?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the new-born King
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria