Angels We Have Heard on High

The Story Behind Angels We Have Heard on High

“Angels We Have Heard on High” is inspired by a French Christmas carol, though its English lyrics are not a direct translation. The familiar song draws from Les Anges dans nos campagnes (meaning “the angels in our countryside”), a French carol composed by François-Auguste Gevaert in Languedoc, France.

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Over time, the original French hymn underwent many revisions and translations. The most common English version, “Angels We Have Heard on High,” was written in 1862 by James Chadwick.

The carol quickly gained popularity in the West Country of England, where it was described as “Cornish” by R. R. Chope and included in Pickard-Cambridge’s Collection of Dorset Carols.

How Chadwick’s Version Differs from the Original

Chadwick’s English lyrics differ significantly from the original French text. Rather than translating the words directly, he created a new title and an original set of lyrics, loosely reflecting the theme of the French song.

As a result, Chadwick’s version is considered an original work and is attributed entirely to him, even though it was inspired by the earlier French carol.