HARK!!!

Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing

Charles Wesley wrote this hymn in 1739.  His intent was for it to be slow.  Solemn.  Later, when Mendelsson composed it to commemorate the invention of Gutenberg's printing press, he wanted his music to be for secular use only.  While I can't imagine this carol being solemn I would love to hear it the way Wesley intended!

The carol we know is the work of Wesley, Mendelsson, Whitfield, and Cummings.  Wesley was quite stern about his wish for his hymns to not be misconstrued.  George Whitfield, a friend of Wesley, ignored this wish.  For example, I discovered that the first line was originally written, "Hark how the welkin rings, Glory to the King of kings!"  "Welkin" is Old English for "the vault of Heaven".  After the death of Wesley and Mendelsson, Whitfield arranged the piece into one that probably neither composer would have approved of.  And finally, Cummings is the one who gave us the version we know today, published in 1856.  If you would like to read the entire original text, click HERE.

But all that aside, here are the words we know.  Try to read it without the happy  melody running through your head, the way Wesley wanted it.

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 host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethelehem!"
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
Offspring of the virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Veiled incarnate deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King


Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lay His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King