Angels we Have Heard on High

The lyrics of this song are based on a traditional French carol, Les Anges dans nos campagnes (literally, "Angels in our countryside") composed by an unknown author from Languedoc, France.

The most common translation into English was done by James Chadwick, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in 1862.

The chorus, "Gloria, in excelsis Deo," is poetically translated as "Glory to God, Glory in the Highest."

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o’er the plain

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strain

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 song?

Come to Bethlehem and see

Christ Whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee,

Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid,

Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,

With us sing our Savior's birth.