Pentatonix - Angels We Have Heard On High Lyrics
Lyrics
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Video
Pentatonix - Angels We Have Heard on High
Meaning & Inspiration
Pentatonix's rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High," released on December 13, 2013, offers a profound vocal tapestry that draws deeply from the wellspring of the Christmas narrative, focusing not just on the sound but on the spiritual resonance of the event. The song, at its core, is a celebration of the angelic announcement of Christ's birth, a moment described in Luke 2:8-14 where shepherds are visited by a multitude of heavenly hosts. Pentatonix masterfully captures the awe and wonder of this divine visitation, their harmonies soaring to echo the glory attributed to God in the highest. The message centers on the immensity of God's love revealed through the Incarnation, a truth that the angels themselves heralded. This divine proclamation signifies a turning point in history, a moment when heaven directly communicated its joy to humanity. The lyrics, particularly in their call to "Sing, choirs of angels," evoke the sheer exhilaration of that first Christmas night, a celebration that was not meant to be contained but shared. The song invites us to consider the profound implications of God stepping into human form, a concept so immense that only a heavenly choir could adequately express its magnitude. It speaks to the accessibility of God, no longer distant but present, His birth a promise of peace and redemption. The repeated refrain, "Gloria in excelsis Deo," serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate source of this good news: God in the highest, bringing glory to His name through the gift of His Son. This rendition encourages a reflection on how the world was fundamentally changed by this event, a peace on earth that the angels proclaimed, aligning with the message of reconciliation found throughout Scripture, such as in Colossians 1:20. Ultimately, Pentatonix's interpretation is an invitation to join the celestial chorus in praising God for the gift of His Son, allowing the sheer majesty of the event to inspire personal devotion and a deeper appreciation for the hope that Christmas embodies.