Angels We Have Heard on High (Let Hearts Believe)

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The Story Behind Angels We Have Heard on High (Let Hearts Believe)

This beloved Christmas carol began as a French folk song called “Les Anges dans nos campagnes,” that was sung in village churches as early as the 1700s. Its words were translated into English in 1862 by Bishop James Chadwick, who preserved the radiant joy of the refrain, “Gloria in excelsis Deo”— meaning “Glory to God in the highest.” The lyrics lift our perspective heavenward like the very praise of angels announcing Christ’s birth.

In rearranging this song and adding in a chorus, I reflected on this song’s original lyrics, I was reminded that heaven’s joy was not reserved for angels alone. The same glory that filled the night sky over Bethlehem is the joy offered to every heart that beholds the Savior. Our worship joins that ancient chorus when we echo their cry—glory to God in the highest, peace to those on whom His favor rests. The angels message was not only for those shepherds thousands of years ago, it’s for us to come and see and let our heart believe. The King of glory was given to us, and all we need to do is receive.

I also recalled many people over the years telling me how hard it was to sing the original melody chorus that holds out the “Glooooooooria” longer than they have breath for. So with that, the arrangement turned into an added chorus of:

“Come and see, let hearts believe
Glory given, we receive
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!”

With a little fun jump on the “o”s that’s easier to sing and a very fun, memorable melody.

Bible Verses & Biblical Themes in Angels We Have Heard on High (Let Hearts Believe)

• Main theme: Heaven’s praise and the glory of Christ’s birth
• “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!’” (Luke 2:13–14)
• “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6)
• “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1)
• [Jesus] said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). (John 1:39-41)

Chords & Lyrics

Note: Here are the lyrics, chords will have to come later.

Angels We Have Heard on High (Let Hearts Believe)

Krystal Craven

Verse 1:
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Chorus:
Come and see, let hearts believe,
Glory given, we receive
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!

Verse 2:
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Chorus:
Come and see, let hearts believe,
Glory given, we receive
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!

Verse 3:
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Chorus:
Come and see, let hearts believe,
Glory given, we receive
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!

Verse 4:
See Him in a manger laid
Jesus Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.

Chorus:
Come and see, let hearts believe,
Glory given, we receive
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!

Outro:
Come and see, let hearts believe,
Glory given, we receive
Glo—o—o—ria in excelsis Deo!