Angels and Christmas Music

In the nativity story, angels play an integral part in the proclamation of Baby Jesus’s birth. So today let’s listen to some Christmas music inspired by those heavenly messengers.

There are many Christmas carols about angels, two of which are the most popular: Angels We Have Heard on High and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Check out my medley of the two:

Angels We Have Heard on High

In 1862, Roman Catholic priest James Chadwick wrote the text to this beloved Christmas carol after being inspired by a French song called Les Anges dans nos campagnes (“The angels in our countryside”). The tune, called Gloria, was arranged by American organist Edward Shippen Barnes.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing first appeared in 1739, with lyrics written by English religious figure Charles Wesley. Like many songs of the time, the text changed over the years; check out a comparison of all the versions here. The music was adapted from Felix Mendelssohn’s Festgesang.

Angels From the Realms of Glory

Scottish poet James Montgomery penned the words to this adaptation of Angels We Have Heard on High in 1816. The melody was written by English composer Henry Smart, although many contemporary versions combine Smart’s tune with the Gloria refrain.

Vom Himmel hoch, o Engel, kommt (“From Heaven on High The Angels Sing”)

This traditional German carol was first printed in 1622 as alternate text to an already existing carol called Puer natus in Bethleehm (“A Child is Born in Bethlehem”, which first appeared in the 1300s). There are many different English translations, but here’s the gist:

German Text	English Translation
Vom Himmel hoch, o Engel, kommt! Eia, eia, susani, susani, susani, kommt, singt und klingt, kommt, pfeift und trombt Alleluja, alleluja. Von Jesus singt und Maria.	From heaven high, O angels, come, eia, eia, susani, susani, susani. Come music, song, come pipe and drum, Alleluia, alleluia. Of Jesus sing and Maria.
Kommt ohne Instrumenten nit, eia … bringt Lauten, Harfen, Geigen mit. Alleluja …	Let every instrument join in,  eia … Bring lute and harp and violin. Alleluia …
Lasst hören euer Stimmen viel, eia … mit Orgel- und mit Saitenspiel. Alleluja …	Send forth your voices louder yet, eia … With organ and with flageolet. Alleluia …
Hier muss die Musik himmlisch sein, eia … weil dies ein himmlisch Kindelein. Alleluja …	Here the music must be heavenly, eia … Because this is a heavenly child. Alleluia …
Die Stimmen müssen lieblich gehn, eia … und Tag und Nacht nicht stille stehn. Alleluja …	The voices must go sweet, eia … and do not stand still day or night. Alleluia …
Sehr süß muss sein der Orgel Klang, eia … süß über allen Vogelsang. Alleluja …	Very sweet is the organ sound, eia … sweet over all Vogelsang. Alleluia …
Das Saitenspiel muss lauten süß, eia … davon das Kindlein schlafen muss. Alleluja …	The string plays sweetly, eia … of which the little child has to sleep. Alleluia …
Singt Fried den Menschen weit und breit, eia … Gott Preis und Ehr in Ewigkeit. Alleluja …	To men on earth all peace may be,  eia … And praise to God eternally. Alleluia …

*Susani is an old German word that means “lullaby”.

Mennyből az angyal (“Angel from Heaven”)

This Hungarian Christmas carol was probably written in the 1700s, although I haven’t been able to find much information about it. (It would probably help if I spoke Hungarian.) Here’s a rough English translation:

From heaven the angel came down to you, 
shepherds, shepherds, 
to hurry to Bethlehem 
see, see.

Son of God who was born 
mussels, mussels, 
He will be your salvation to you 
indeed, indeed.

Along with his mother, 
Mary, Mary, 
lies among the cattle, rests on a manger 
his holy son, his holy son.

They also went to greet you 
immediately, immediately, 
with a nice gift in their hearts 
with you, with you.

Little Jesus Christ equally 
worship, worship, 
the great Lord for such a great deal 
both bless and bless.

Angelus ad virginem (“Gabriel, From Heven King Was To The Maide Sende“)

This popular Medieval Christmas carol originated in France – and then it was brought to Britain in the 13th century. It is believed that the original chant had 27 stanzas, where each stanza began with the next letter of the alphabet.

The text describes the angel telling Mary she will be the mother of God’s son:

Latin Lyrics	English Translation
Angelus ad virginem, Subintrans in conclave, Virginis formidinem Demulcens, inquit “Ave! Ave, regina virginum: Coeli terraeque dominum Concipies et paries intacta Salutem hominum; Tu porta coeli facta, Medela criminum.”	The angel came to the Virgin, entering secretly into her room; calming the Virgin’s fear, he said, “Hail! Hail, queen of virgins: you will conceive the Lord of heaven and earth and bear him, still a virgin, to be the salvation of mankind; you will be made the gate of heaven, the cure of sins.”
“Quomodo conciperem, Quae virum non cognovi? Qualiter infringerem, Quae firma mente vovi?” “Spiritus sancti gratia Perficiet haec omnia. Ne timeas, sed gaudeas Secura, quod castimonia Manebit in te pura Dei potentia.”	“How can I conceive, When I have never known a man? How can I transgress resolutions that I have vowed with a firm mind?” The grace of the Holy Spirit shall do all this. Do not be afraid, but rejoice without a care, since your chastity will remain in you unspoilt through the power of God.”
Ad haec, virgo nobilis Respondens inquit ei, “Ancilla sum humilis Omnipotentis Dei. Tibi coelesti nuntio, Tanti secreti conscio, Consentiens et cupiens videre Factum quod audio, Parata sum parere Dei consilio.”	To this, the noble Virgin, replying, said to him, “I am the humble maidservant of almighty God. To you, heavenly messenger, and bearer of such a great secret, I give my consent, and wishing to see done what I hear, I am ready to obey the will of God.”
Angelus disparuit Et statim puellaris Uterus intumuit Vi partus salutaris. Qui, circumdatus utero Novem mensium numero, Hinc exiit et iniit conflictum, Affigens humero Crucem, qua dedit ictum Hosti mortifero.	The angel vanished, and at once the girl’s womb swelled with the force of the pregnancy of salvation. He, protected by the womb for nine months in number, left it and began the struggle, fixing to his shoulder a cross, with which he dealt the blow to the deadly Enemy.
Eia Mater Domini, Quae pacem reddidisti Angelis et homini Cum Christum genuisti! Tuum exora filium Ut se nobis propitium Exhibeat, et deleat peccata, Praestans auxilium Vita frui beata Post hoc exsilium.	Hail, Mother of our Lord, who brought peace back to angels and men when you bore Christ! Pray your son that he may show favor to us and blot out our sins, giving us help to enjoy a blessed life after this exile.

Which angel carol is your favorite?