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Angels We Have Heard on High (GLORIA) – Eight handbells

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.

Please note that there are two “standard” versions; version 1 is from 2014, and version 2 is from 2018. We encourage you to take a moment to play both videos, because they’re quite different!

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing 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?

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the new-born King.

Les anges dans nos campagnes
ont entonné l’hymne des cieux;
et l’écho de nos montagnes
redit ce chant mélodieux.

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

Bergers, pour qui cette fête?
Quel est l’objet de tous ces chants?
Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête
mérite ces cris triomphants?

Cherchons tous l’heureux village
que l’a vu naître sous ses toits;
offronslui le tendre hommage
et de nos coeurs et de nos vois!

Church Calendar: Christmas

Hymn tune: GLORIA
Find metrically-matched hymn texts

Standard Version 1:
”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $7.00 US
G5-based practice track: $2.00 US
F5-based practice track: $2.00 US


This arrangement is also included in Larry and Carla’s Eight-Bell Christmas Collection.

“Surprisingly Easy”™ Version:
”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $5.00 US
G5-based practice track: $2.00 US
F5-based practice track: $2.00 US


This arrangement is also included in Larry and Carla’s First “Surprisingly Easy”™ Eight-Bell Christmas Collection.

Standard Version 2:
”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $7.00 US
G5-based practice track: $2.00 US
F5-based practice track: $2.00 US

Also available for 6 handbells, 12 handbells, handbells (3 octaves, Level 2-), and SSA a cappella ensemble.

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – 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.

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