Angels We Have Heard on High
A joyful French carol that captures the dialogue between shepherds and angels on the first Christmas night.
With its exuberant "Gloria" chorus and narrative structure, "Angels We Have Heard on High" uniquely captures the conversation between heavenly messengers and earthly shepherds. The following table summarizes its key details.
| Song Title | Author (Lyricist) | Composer (Music) | Year | Original Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels We Have Heard on High | Traditional French Carol Translated by James Chadwick |
Traditional French Melody | 18th Century (French) 1862 (English translation) |
Les Anges dans nos campagnes |
Historical Background
This carol originated as a traditional French Christmas song from the Languedoc region in southern France. The original French title, "Les Anges dans nos campagnes" (The Angels in Our Countryside), first appeared in print in a French collection of Christmas songs in 1855, though the melody and some lyrics likely existed in oral tradition for much longer.
The carol crossed the English Channel when Bishop James Chadwick (1813-1882), an English Catholic bishop, translated it into English in 1862. Chadwick, who served as the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, was known for his work in hymn translation and adaptation. His translation skillfully captured both the narrative quality and the joyful spirit of the original French carol.
Interestingly, the carol was particularly popular in Appalachian mountain communities in the United States, where it was often sung in shape-note singing schools and incorporated into local folk traditions. This helped preserve the carol and spread its popularity throughout North America.
Biblical Foundation
This carol is notable for its unique narrative approach, presenting a dialogue between shepherds and angels based directly on Luke's gospel:
- Luke 2:8-9 – "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." This is the foundation for "Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains."
- Luke 2:10-12 – "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'"
- Luke 2:13-14 – "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'" This is the direct source of the famous "Gloria" chorus.
- Luke 2:15 – "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'" This is captured in "Come to Bethlehem and see, Him whose birth the angels sing."
- Luke 2:16 – "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." This fulfillment is implied in the invitation to "come adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King."
The carol's unique contribution is its imaginative expansion of the brief biblical dialogue into a full conversation, asking the question that the biblical text implies but doesn't explicitly state: "Shepherds, why this jubilee?"
Full Lyrics (Traditional English Version)
The standard English version as translated by Bishop James Chadwick:
Glo-ri-a, in ex-cel-sis De-o!
[Gloh-ree-ah, in ex-chel-sis Deh-oh]
Translation: "Glory to God in the highest!"
Author & Translator
Traditional French Origin: The original French carol is anonymous, emerging from the folk traditions of southern France. Like many folk carols, it was shaped by community singing and oral transmission rather than a single author. The French lyrics have a simple, repetitive structure typical of folk songs meant to be easily learned and remembered.
Bishop James Chadwick (1813-1882): Born in Lancashire, England, Chadwick was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1836 after studying at Ushaw College. He served as a missionary in Newcastle before being appointed Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in 1866. Chadwick was known for his pastoral work, his efforts to improve Catholic education, and his contributions to Catholic liturgy and music. His translation of "Les Anges dans nos campagnes" preserved the carol's joyful spirit while making it accessible to English-speaking congregations.
French Folk Tradition: The carol reflects the rich tradition of French noëls (Christmas carols), which were often lively, dance-like songs celebrating the Nativity. Unlike the more formal Latin hymns of the church, these noëls were sung in the vernacular and incorporated local folk melodies and rhythms. "Les Anges dans nos campagnes" is one of the most successful examples of this tradition to achieve international popularity.
Background Music & Melody
The traditional French melody is characterized by its joyful, dance-like quality in 4/4 time. The tune has a folk song simplicity that makes it easy to sing, yet contains the dramatic "Gloria" chorus that provides musical and emotional climax.
Musical Structure:
- Verses: Each verse follows an ABCD rhyme scheme with a gentle, narrative melody that rises and falls like conversation
- Gloria Chorus: The famous cascading "Gloria" features a melismatic passage (multiple notes on one syllable) on "excelsis" that dramatically descends an octave, musically depicting angels descending from heaven
- Harmonic Simplicity: The harmony typically uses basic I-IV-V chords, making it accessible for congregational singing
The most distinctive feature is the melismatic "Gloria" chorus. The word "excelsis" stretches across 17 notes in the traditional setting, creating one of the most recognizable and beloved moments in Christmas music. This musical device serves multiple purposes:
- It emphasizes the Latin word for "highest" by literally taking the melody to high notes
- It creates a sense of heavenly movement and descent
- It provides a joyful release after the more restrained verses
- It invites enthusiastic participation from singers
Performance Traditions: The carol is often performed with increasing energy in each verse, culminating in a triumphant final "Gloria." In choral settings, the verses might be sung by a soloist or small group, with the full choir joining for the chorus. The cascading "Gloria" line is sometimes divided between voice parts to create a cascading effect.
Notable arrangements include the exuberant version by the Robert Shaw Chorale (which popularized the carol in America), the folk-inspired recording by Mannheim Steamroller, the gospel treatment by Aretha Franklin, and the contemporary Christian version by Chris Tomlin (who added a new chorus while keeping the traditional "Gloria"). The carol remains a favorite for Christmas pageants and children's programs due to its simple narrative and joyful chorus.
