“Angels We Have Heard on High”
“Angels We Have Heard on High” is based on the traditional hymn “Gloria,” a French traditional carol “Les Anges dans nos Campagnes.” The English translation of these lyrics is credited to Bishop James Chadwick in 1862. The tune was arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes.
What is the meaning of Gloria in excelsis Deo?
Gloria in excelsis deo is Latin for “Glory in the highest to God” or “Glory be to God on High.”
Understanding archaic terms in the song
Modern carolers may find themselves confused when first looking over the lyrics, particularly two of the words: o’er and heav’nly. These words are contractions of familiar terms. Just like should not can be contracted to shouldn’t, other words can be contracted. In song lyrics and poetry, lyricists or poets typically contract words to eliminate a syllable, to preserve the meter of the song.
Words are contracted using an apostrophe. The apostrophe is placed where letters are left out of the word or words that are contracted. For example, in the famous poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” the letter left out of the contraction ’twas is an i. Therefore, ’twas means “it was.”
The letter left out of o’er is a v. Therefore, o’er is a contraction of the word over. Over has two syllables; whereas o’er is sung with only one syllable. The apostrophe in heav’nly is taking the place of an e, contracting the two syllable word heavenly into a one syllable word.
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
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.
Resources
Definition of Gloria in excelsis Deo confirmed from the following resources:
