Song facts
- Original key
- F major
- Type
- Christmas carol
- Music
- Traditional French (traditional)
- Original lyrics
- James Chadwick (English paraphrase of a traditional French text) (died 1882)
- First published
- 1842
Public-domain songs · Christmas carol instrumental
Angels We Have Heard on High
Play the Angels We Have Heard on High instrumental in the original key of F major, or from 3 semitones lower to 2 higher. Made by MR Maker from a public-domain score.
Last reviewed:
Backing track by key
The original key is F major. If it sits too high or too low for your voice, try the shifted versions and pick the one you can sing comfortably.
3 semitones lower (D major)
2 semitones lower (E♭ major)
Original key (F major)
2 semitones higher (G major)
About this song
This English carol is a loose paraphrase of the French noël Les anges dans nos campagnes, not a direct translation. A book of French carols by Père Roche printed the song in 1805, and Louis Lambillotte's 1842 collection is the earliest known source with both words and music. James Chadwick (1813–1882), who served as Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, wrote the English version in the early 1860s. The tune GLORIA is known for the cascading melisma of its Latin refrain; hymnals usually set it in F major, 4/4.
Rights
The melody is in the public domain (first published 1842). MR Maker made this accompaniment from a public-domain score. It contains no lyrics, translations or third-party recordings.
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