"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was written in 1739, by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church.
He usually requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics, so it was sung to a different tune initially.
Over a hundred years later, in 1840, Felix Mendelssohn composed a cantata to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, already written by Wesley.
lyrics
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King –
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled”!
Joyful, all ye nations rise – join the triumph of the skies –
With angelic hosts, proclaim – “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing – “Glory to the newborn King”!
Christ, by highest heaven adored – Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time – behold Him come – off-spring of a virgin’s womb!
Veiled in flesh – the Godhead see! Hail the Incarnate Deity!
Pleased – with us in flesh to dwell – Jesus, our Emmanuel!
~~~Refrain~~~
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and Life to all He brings – risen with healing in His wings!
Mild, He lays His glory by – born that man, no more may die!
Born to raise the sons of earth – born to give them second birth!
~~~Refrain~~~
Come, Desire of Nations, come – fix in us Thy humble home!
Rise, the woman’s conquering Seed – bruise in us, the serpent’s head!
Now display Thy saving power – ruined nature, now restore!
Now in mystic union, join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine!
~~~Refrain~~~
credits
from Christemasse,
released December 12, 2010
Public Domain
words by Charles Wesley & music by Felix Mendelssohn
arrangement by William H. Cummings
Born into a family of Gospel singers & musicians in South Bend, Indiana, David began singing & playing the piano as a small
child.
In the 1970's, his musical style was shaped by the acoustic rock artists of the time - and in the 1980's David played the local nightclub circuit as keyboardist/singer with the band Justus.
But God comes in places unlooked for - unexpectedly....more