Angels from the Realms of Glory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Angels from the Realms of Glory |
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"Madonna with child and angels" by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato
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| Genre | Hymn |
| Written | 1816 |
| Text | James Montgomery |
| Based on | Luke 2:10 |
| Meter | 8.7.8.7.8.7 |
| Melody | "Regent Square" by Henry Smart "Les anges dans nos campagnes" (French traditional) |
"Angels from the Realms of Glory" is a popular Christmas carol. A Scottish poet named James Montgomery wrote its words. It first appeared in a newspaper called the Sheffield Iris on Christmas Eve in 1816. People started singing it in churches after it was printed again in 1825. This happened in Montgomery's own collection, The Christian Psalmist, and in The Christmas Box or New Year's Gift.
The Music of the Carol
Before 1928, this carol was sung to many different tunes. Some of these tunes included "Regent Square" by Henry Smart. Other tunes were "Lewes" by John Randall and "Wildersmouth" or "Feniton Court" by Edward Hopkins.
"Regent Square" Tune
In the United States, "Regent Square" is the most common tune for this carol. The name "Regent Square" comes from James Hamilton. He was a minister at the Regent Square Church in London. He published the first hymnal that included this tune.
"Iris" Tune in the UK
In the United Kingdom, the carol is often sung to a French tune called "Iris". This tune is also used for the carol "Angels We Have Heard on High". It became popular after it was published in the Oxford Book of Carols. Sometimes, instead of singing "Come and worship Christ the new-born King", people sing "Gloria in excelsis Deo". This Latin phrase means "Glory to God in the highest".
The Words of the Carol
The words of "Angels from the Realms of Glory" tell the Christmas story. They invite different groups of people to come and worship Jesus. These groups include angels, shepherds, and wise men. The carol has a repeating part, called a refrain.
Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Refrain: Come and worship,
Come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light:
Refrain.
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen his natal star:
Refrain.
Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In his temple shall appear.
Refrain.
Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you—break your chains:
Refrain.
Though an infant now we view him,
He shall fill his Father's throne,
Gather all the nations to him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Refrain.
All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising,
To th'eternal Three in One:
Refrain.
