The carol “Les Anges dans nos Campagnes” seems to date from 18th century Languedoc, France. The common English translation comes from James Chadwick (1813-1882), Roman Catholic bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, published in “Holy Family Hymns” (1860).

Neither the tune nor the stanzas can be traced back farther than that; but the “Gloria in excelsis Deo” refrain does indeed come from the first century, where the gospel tells us of the multitude of the heavenly host praising God and singing, “Glory to God in the highest … ” (Luke 2:14). The angels presumably sang to the shepherds of Judea in Aramaic; the New Testament reports their words in Greek; the carol gives us those words in Latin: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Thus this carol incorporates the words of the very first nativity song, as recorded by Luke in the first century.

1. Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn king.
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

4. See him in a manger laid: Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Savior’s birth.
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

This version, in the traditional French, is presented by the boys’ choir from Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc de Versailles.