"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is a popular holiday song among the religious community, as well as one of the most controversial songs.
The song dates all the way back to 1739, when the lyrics were originally written without music by Charles Wesley, whose brother founded the Methodist Church. The melody was written 100 years later by Felix Mendelssohn. After both passed away, William Cummings united the words with the melody in 1855, despite clear disapproval by the two creators.
This seven-chord song is played using a simple, medium-tempo strumming style. Pay closer attention to the Gm and Bb chords, as they are full bar chords that may require more practice. The exercise makes several chord transitions, but the strumming is fairly basic, allowing you to focus on making clean transitions, especially using the bar chords.
Follow along with the video to learn the chord progression and play along until you can play without the help of the video.
The following chords are used in the song:
Sing and Play!
- Played in the key of F major with a moderate 4/4 feel -
F C
Hark the herald angels sing
F Bb F C F
"Glory to the newborn King!
F Dm G7
Peace on earth and mercy mild
C C G7 C
God and sinners reconciled"
F C F C
Joyful, all ye nations rise
F C F C
Join the triumph of the skies
Bb F Gm D7 Gm
With the angelic host proclaim:
C F C F
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Bb F Gm D7 Gm
Hark! The herald angels sing
C F C F
"Glory to the newborn King!"
F C
Christ by highest heav'n adored
F Bb F C F
Christ the everlasting Lord!
F Dm G7
Late in time behold Him come
C C G7 C
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
F C F C
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
F C F C
Hail the incarnate Deity
Bb F Gm D7 Gm
Pleased as man with man to dwell
C F C F
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Bb F Gm D7 Gm
Hark! The herald angels sing
C F C F
"Glory to the newborn King!"
F C
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
F Bb F C F
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
F Dm G7
Light and life to all He brings
C C G7 C
Ris'n with healing in His wings
F C F C
Mild He lays His glory by
F C F C
Born that man no more may die
Bb F Gm D7 Gm
Born to raise the sons of Earth
C F C F
Born to give them second birth
Bb F Gm D7 Gm
Hark! The herald angels sing
C F C F
"Glory to the newborn King!"