Song #13 - Hark the Herald Angels Sing

December 13
Song #13

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

Hark the Herald Angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

What a triumphant song!

A few years ago during my year of service with AmeriCorps (Minnesota Reading Corps) I was volunteering some of my time in the Twin Cities with a talented choral group called VocalEssence. You may have heard them from time to time on a little show called A Prairie Home Companion.

During one of their Christmas performances, I learned something quite fascinating about this Christmas song. Did you know that the tune we all know and love did not originally go with these lyrics by Charles Wesley? The melody was actually composed by Felix Mendelssohn as an ode to Johann Gutenberg's invention of the PRINTING PRESS!! Woah.

So, imagine the song, and replace "Joyful, all ye nations rise!" With a resounding chorus of "Gutenberg!" It actually works.

This summer, I visited The British Library in London, and laid eyes on one of Gutenberg's Bibles! So amazing! The printing press truly revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge in our world. (That said, I hope the art of handwriting never dies! But that is a subject for a different day.) Wow. If ever an invention was worthy of a musical composition, the printing press is it.

And so, you can enjoy "Hark the Herald" on many levels! First and foremost, it has been turned into a triumphant announcement of the birth of the Prince of Peace! But behind that story, is another birth to be grateful for - the birth of the printing press. How fitting that the Bible was the first mass produced book, don't you think?

If you are ever in London, please do yourself a favor and go to the British Library! If this doesn't seem practical any time soon, go on a virtual visit, starting HERE. (Yes, I truly am a nerd, if you still had any doubt.)

Also, in fact-checking my blog for today, I found a most fitting NPR Segment featuring none other than Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director of VocalEssence! I realized this must have aired the year I was volunteering. It touches on the surprising origin of some Christmas carols and hymns, and he explains in 11 minutes what I attempted to explain in this blog, which took me over an hour to write. (But I sure had fun doing it!)

When it comes to these traditional Christmas songs, it's tricky to pick my favorite versions. The best versions are the ones you sing with others as you are "caroling out in the snow." However, here is just one of the versions I never tire of.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing performed by (surprise!) Amy Grant Spotify YouTube
Hark the Herald Angels Sing performed by Spotify YouTube