The words in the lyrics for Angels We Have Heard On High are known for the chorus phrase “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” which means “Glory to God in the Highest.” Here are the lyrics to this Christmas song in English and French:
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
CHORUS:
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
Him 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
Angels We Have Heard On High (French lyrics)
Les anges dans nos campagnes
Ont entonné l’hymne des cieux
Et l’écho de nos montagnes
Redit ce chant mélodieux
Gloria in excelsis Deo (Bis)
Bergers, pour qui cette fête?
Quel est l’objet de tous ces chants?
Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête
Mérite ces cris triomphants
Gloria in excelsis Deo (Bis)
Ils annoncent la naissance
Du libérateur d’Israël
Et pleins de reconnaissance
Chantent en ce jour solennel
Gloria in excelsis Deo (Bis)
Cherchons tous l’heureux village
Qui l’a vu naître sous ses toits
Offrons-lui le tendre hommage
Et de nos cœurs et de nos voix
Gloria in excelsis Deo (Bis)
Bergers, quittez vos retraites
Unissez-vous à leurs concerts
Et que vos tendres musettes
Fassent retentir les airs
About this Christmas carol: The Christmas hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” is about the story of the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Shepherds outside Bethlehem find a multitude of angels singing and praising the newborn child. The words are based on the French Christmas Carol Les Anges dans nos campagnes ( “Angels in our countryside”). The most popular English version was translated by James Chadwick in 1862 in England.