Mariah Carey - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Gloria Lyrics
Lyrics
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 angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
To the new born King
In Excelsis Deo
Gloria...
In Excelsis Deo
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconcile
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
To the new born King
In Excelsis Deo
Video
Mariah Carey - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo) (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Mariah Carey's rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)," officially released on September 14, 2015, offers a soaring and deeply reverent take on one of Christendom's most cherished carols. This classic hymn, tracing its roots to Charles Wesley's 1739 poem and later set to Mendelssohn’s music, captures the essence of the Nativity story through the lens of angelic announcement and divine proclamation. Mariah's addition of the Latin "Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)"—meaning "Glory to God in the Highest"—isn't merely an embellishment; it is a profound declaration, bringing a direct, scriptural exclamation of praise into the heart of the carol.
The message embedded within "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is nothing short of the Gospel itself, beginning with the celestial announcement. The opening lines, "Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King," directly echo the joyous revelation to the shepherds described in Luke 2:13-14, where a multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God and proclaiming, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" This points to Jesus not just as a baby, but as the long-awaited King, fulfilling prophecies like Isaiah 9:6-7, which speaks of a child born to bear the government upon His shoulders. The carol continues with the promise of "Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled," which articulates the foundational purpose of Christ's incarnation. His birth inaugurated an era of spiritual peace, breaking down the wall of hostility between humanity and God, as powerfully described in Ephesians 2:14-18. It is through Christ that God accomplished reconciliation, drawing a lost world back into fellowship with Him, a truth beautifully affirmed in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. The "mercy mild" underscores the tender, compassionate nature of God's redemptive plan, reminding us of His steadfast love and grace (Lamentations 3:22-23).
As the carol progresses, it extends an invitation to all creation: "Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies." This is a universal call to worship and celebration, echoing the angelic pronouncement in Luke 2:10 that the good news of Christ's birth is "for all the people." The "triumph of the skies" refers to the victory accomplished through Christ’s coming, a spiritual triumph over sin, death, and the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15). The subsequent lines, "With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem," ground the divine message in a specific historical and geographical reality, confirming the angelic report in Luke 2:11 about a Savior born in David’s town, Bethlehem, a detail foretold centuries earlier in Micah 5:2. Mariah Carey's vocal performance throughout this rendition serves to amplify these profound truths. Her characteristic power, impressive vocal range, and signature melismatic flourishes do not merely entertain; they become instruments through which the grandeur, joy, and divine authority of the angelic proclamation are conveyed. Her sustained high notes and expansive delivery feel less like vocal acrobatics and more like an embodiment of the heavenly praise itself, translating the scriptural descriptions of awe and glory into an audible experience.
The recurring refrain, "In Excelsis Deo, Gloria..." is where Mariah’s rendition truly culminates in a powerful act of worship. This Latin phrase, a direct quotation from the angelic chorus in Luke 2:14, becomes a centerpiece, repeated and emphasized with commanding vocal strength. It transforms the performance from a mere carol into a direct, declarative offering of praise to the Almighty. This addition ensures that the ultimate focus remains on God, to whom all glory belongs for this miraculous intervention in human history. The blend of the traditional carol's narrative with this explicit declaration of "Glory to God in the Highest" creates a profound spiritual impact, inviting all who engage with the song to join not just in the celebration of Christ's birth, but in the timeless, universal worship of the King who brings peace and reconciliation. This rendition acts as a powerful reminder of the hope, joy, and divine love ushered in with the birth of Jesus, stirring the soul to profound gratitude and adoration, affirming that the message of Christmas is indeed a message for all nations and all time.