Angels We Have Heard on High is based on the nineteenth-century French song Les Anges dans nos Campagnes and is traditionally sung to the hymn tune GLORIA. The lyric tells us of how the angels came from heaven to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
Preview:
Price: $12.50 US
Church Calendar: Christmas
I’ve arranged the old French carol as an SSA a cappella arrangement. It was truly remarkable to hear the Valley Church ladies’ trio sing it for the first time one December.
All four hymn verses are sung in a theme-and-variations mode. The last chorus has an also countermelody which accentuates the message of “Glory to God in the highest!”
Here are the words to the countermelody:
We come to worship Him with joy and singing
Bells of heaven are ’round us ringing,
Incense, gold, and myrrh we’re bringing to the to cattle stall,
In excelsis Deo,
We worship our Messiah come to earth
And wonder at His humble birth,
We contemplate His matchless worth, the King and Lord of all,
In excelsis Deo.
Other arrangements available for six accompanied handbells, eight handbells, eight accompanied handbells, twelve handbells, and handbell choir.
Purchasing this score gives you permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed by your ensemble – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
