Lyrics HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING The melody to this carol was written by Felix Mendelssohn in a piece to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Gutenberg's invention of the printing press; the words by Charles Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism. Actually, the original words wereHark how all the welkin rings/Glory to the King of Kings. ("Welkin" means heaven.) A colleague substituted the now familiar opening lines against the protests of the author. Wesley also requested that the music put to the words should be slow and solumn. Unfortuneately (or fortuneately for us) William Cummings did not agree amd in 1855, after both Mendelssohn and Wesley were dead, he matched the verses to the current melody. 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 angel host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!" Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh, the God-head see. Hail the Incarnate Diety. Pleased, as man, with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" Hail! the heaven born Prince of Peace! Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen 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."