Angels We Have Heard on High: Free Sheet Music and History

In this Christmas season, "Angels We Have Heard on High," is one of the favorite songs for many. It is a wonderful song to sing and it's a great piece to play on the piano. My son learned this song for his Christmas recital and he found it fairly easy to learn and he was under 8 years old at the time.

"ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH" : Here is the free sheet music. Take note of the green button that can be pushed to hear the arrangement, which will help in deciding on this music and learning the song.

HISTORY OF "ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH:

n A.D. 129, Telesphous, Bishop of Rome, ordained that, "In the Holy Night of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior, all shall solemnly sing the 'Angel's Hymn.' " With that proclamation the 'Angels Hymn' became the first Christmas hymn of the Christian church. LEARN MORE

For many years, the hills of southern France were home to shepherds whose duties required their presence day and night, year-round. To celebrate the birth of Jesus, a custom evolved among the shepherds that can't be traced to an exact date. On Christmas Eve, these shepherds shouted "Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo!" from hill to hill, spreading the celebratory news. LEARN MORE

SONG LYRICS:
Angels we have heard on high
Singing sweetly o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

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

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

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

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!