Hark! the herald angels sing

Hymn for Christmas Day

HARK ! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled !
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem !
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.

2 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;
Hail the Incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.

3 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.
Hark ! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King."

In 1739 appeared the first of the hymn-books which the Wesleys prepared for the Methodists (see under No. 3). In this book was a Christmas hymn by Charles Wesley, beginning " Hark, how all the welkin rings." From time to time changes were made in the hymn by one editor and another, until in 1810 it took the form here printed, in which it is sung in so many churches at Christmas time. [NOTES.—Verse 1, line 1. See St. Luke's Gospel ii, 14. Verse 2, line 3. Late in time. See Hebrews i, 2. Verse 2, line 8. Emmanuel. See Isaiah vii, 14.]