Читать книгу Best Loved Christmas Carols, Readings and Poetry - Martin Manser - Страница 14

This carol is French in origin, having been translated from the French ‘Les anges dans nos campagnes’ by Bishop James Chadwick and first published in 1860. By then it was already an established favourite in France and Quebec. Tradition has it that in the second century Pope Telesphorus ordained that all the faithful should sing the words ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’ at Christmas, hence its inclusion as a refrain here.

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!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why these joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be

Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see

Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord, the new-born King!

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

See him in a manger laid,

Whom the choirs of angels praise;

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,

While our hearts in love we raise.

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

H. F. Hémy (1818–88), after James Chadwick (1813–82)