Hark The Herald Angels Sing

[simpleazon-image align=”right” asin=”B000YRNXV2″ locale=”us” height=”350″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ikpxDEv7L.jpg” width=”350″]This song has a great and illustrious history. If there ever were a song that had direct ties to Methodist heritage “Hark The Herald” would be it. The song was written by the brother of the Methodist leader John Wesley. The name of the songwriter was Charles Wesley. The music itself was composed by Felix Mendelssohn. There are people out there who say the music was written to celebrate the invention of the printing press. I have not been able to confirm this fact, but it certainly is something interesting to discuss. One of the original verses said herk how all the welking rings, glory to the king of kings.

Welking is simply not a word you hear very often in the English language anymore. Charles Wesley was a wonderful writer and we are blessed to have such a wonderful to celebrate the birth of Christ in these days where so many people forget the true meaning of Christmas. The words and the music were put together by a man named William Cummings. Cummings ignored the fact that Mendelshonn wanted this tune to be of a secular nature. Wesley on the other hand had penned a deeply moving hymn.

The song has gone through several incarnations as a few words in the verses have been changed over the years. My personal favorite version of the song was done by Johnny Cash because he struck the right balance between the good Christian joy that the song can bring to so many people and yet his voice let you know that some people out there still face so many struggles. Cash gave us all the sense that we must follow in the footsteps of the king of kings and do more for our fellow man. Christmas is partially about making the world a better place to live and celebrate. Hymns such as “Hark The Herald” represent this fact.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq83HcBEaW4

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”