Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plain
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 heavenly songs?
Gloria
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria
See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.
Gloria
Credits
Unknown writer is the attributed author of this traditional Christmas carol, which is believed to have French origins, possibly dating back to the 18th century. The Latin refrain "Gloria in excelsis Deo" echoes the words sung by angels in the Gospel of Luke, lending the carol its distinctive blend of folk melody and sacred scripture.
