Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo) is the ninth track from Mariah's first Christmas album Merry Christmas. The song was written by George Whitefield, William H. Cummings, Felix Mendelsshon & Charles Wesley and produced by Mariah Carey & Walter Afanasieff.
A live performance of this song was released on Merry Christmas (Deluxe Anniversary Edition).
Background[]
When it relates to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," Hark in old English means listen, or pay attention. Herald in the same language means an official messenger, someone about to announce some very important news.[1]
The song was written written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. Then 100 years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) (the one who also composed the Wedding march) composed a cantata in 1840 to celebrate Johann Gutenberg's printing press invention. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” previously written by Chuck Wesley, hence the Old English wording in the lyrics.[1]
Mariah's version also incorporates "Gloria in excelsis Deo", Latin for "Glory to God in the Highest"[2]
On December 8, 2023 the song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3]
Live performances[]
Mariah's first performance of the song was on Good Morning America in 1991.[4] She also performed the song at her St John The Divine Concert in 1994. The song served a part of the set-list for the All I Want for Christmas Is You, a Night of Joy and Festivity (2014-2017), Merry Christmas to All! (2022), Merry Christmas One and All! (2023) and Mariah Carey's Christmas Time (2024) concerts.
Gallery[]
"Paint pretty pictures of what I'd do if you were mine" To view the Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo) gallery, click here.
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Lyrics[]
In Excelsis Deo
[Chorus]
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
Peace on Earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
To the new born King
[Bridge]
In Excelsis Deo
Gloria
In Excelsis Deo
[Chorus]
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
Peace on Earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
To the new born King
[Outro]