Angels We Have Heard on High
Words: Traditional French Carol
Music: Gloria | French Carol Melody
1. Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains. (or, Echo back their joyous strains)
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be (or, Say what may the tidings be)
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing; (or, Him whose birth the angels sing)
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
4. See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Ding Dong! Merrily on High
Words: George Ratcliffe Woodward
Music: Branle de l’Official | From Orchésographie by Jehan Tabourot (Thoinot Arbeau, pseudonym), 1588
1. Ding dong! merrily on high
In heav’n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv’n with Angel singing.
2. E’en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And “Io, io, io!”
By priest and people sungen.
3. Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers.
Refrain:
Gloria,
Hosanna in excelsis!
