“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was written by the English hymn writer Charles Wesley in 1739, originally under the title “Hymn for Christmas- Day.”

Who wrote it?

  • The lyrics were composed by Charles Wesley, a Methodist leader and prolific hymn writer in the 18th century.
  • He first published the words in 1739 in a collection called “Hymns and Sacred Poems,” where the opening line was “Hark, how all the welkin rings” rather than the modern wording.

How did the version we know form?

  • Later in the 18th century, evangelist George Whitefield revised Wesley’s text, changing the famous opening to “Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.”
  • In the 19th century, the words were paired with a tune adapted from music by composer Felix Mendelssohn, creating the familiar carol now widely sung at Christmas.

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