Angels We Have Heard on High

About the Carol

While we do not know the author of "Angels We Have Heard on High," we know that it was translated from the French "Anges Dans Nos Campagnes" by Bishop James Chadwick in 1860. The hymn, in the Frech version, was first published by the Diocese of Quebec in 1819, in the Nouveau recueil de cantiques, or 'New Hymnal.'

The original hymn in French was eight stanzas, with communication between the shepherds, the angels, and the women in all eight stanzas, but James Chadwick shortened this down to four stanzas in English.

Lyrics ^{Back to Top ↑}

Analysis of Carol ^{Back to Top ↑}

This song is a simple retelling of the shepherds' tale as found in Luke 2:8-20. The angels came and proclaimed to the shepherds that the Messiah had come! It is possible that the hymn is the shepherds recounting their tale, as recorded in Luke: And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child… And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.^{Luke 2:17, 20}

For these two lines, the shepherds are recounting how they heard of the birth of the Messiah: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.^{Luke 2:13, 14}

And here, the hymnist is claiming the song was so loud, it echoed off the nearby mountains. This is unfounded in the New Testament, however it is not meant to be taken literally. Rather, this line shows that the earth was symbolically taking part of the celebration.

Translated from Latin, these lines mean "Glory to God in the highest." This is what the choir of angels sang to praise God. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.^{Luke 2:13, 14}

Here, the Shepherds are speaking. "Why this jubilee?" This simple question could have a couple different meanings: First, a Jubilee was the fiftieth year, and was a time when slaves were freed, and land was returned to their former owners. Thus, this was a time of celebration and rejoicing. Some believe that Jesus was born on a Jubilee year. Second, and the intended meaning by the author, a "jubilee" is a great public joy. The angels absolutely showed this by praising God in a choir to the shepherds.

The shepherds are still questioning the angels, "Why are you singing a wholesome, heavenly song?" And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.^{Luke 2:10}

Indeed, the angel said to the shepherds: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.^{Luke 2:11, 12}

This is not recorded, but we know that the shepherds went to see Jesus: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.^{Luke 2:15, 16}

And the shepherds did: And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.^{Luke 2:16}

The shepherds are not recorded as ever saying this to Mary and Joseph, and it is doubtful that Mary would have, for Luke recorded: But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. ^{Luke 2:19}