Hark! the herald-angels sing (Descant: David Willcocks) | Carols from King's 2021

Carols from King's 2021 is available to download: bit.ly/cfk2021
Hark! the herald-angels sing, with descant by Sir David Willcocks, from BBC Carols from King's 2021. Carols from King's is broadcast in the UK on BBC Two on Christmas Eve.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Paul Greally (Organ Scholar)
Directed by Daniel Hyde
Distributed under licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
###
Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th’angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem:
Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
Christ, by highest heav’n adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of aVirgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris’n with healing in his wings;
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
###

[@ruairi_d]

For me Christmas doesn't begin until I watch Carols from King's.

[@randalllamp8226]

Do you have their DVDs? Great to watch during the season.

[@anaeleekene1698]

Lol😃

[@extantenmity]

Same here

[@teller1290]

When does it air annually? And on BBC? (I'm in the U.S.)

[@extantenmity]

@@teller1290 it’s on Christmas day (25th) on BBC 2.

[@modelsfromscratch]

Not Christmas without Carols from Kings!

[@coolcumber7166]

God bless you all. I’ve been a believer in Christ my whole life. I prayed almost every night, but haven’t been to church seriously in many years. Tonight I stumbled upon this song on tv. It’s helped me renew my relationship with Christ. Whoever you are, wherever you are please know that you are loved. Peace and all the best for 2022.

[@dantethunderstone2118]

You almost made it out, should have kept on your track and left the cult

[@poltergeist1105]

@@dantethunderstone2118 bro just respect others’ beliefs. Is it that hard?

[@dantethunderstone2118]

@@poltergeist1105 i dont support cult behaviours

[@emmacheers9503]

0:21 likewise for 2023 ♥️

[@samuel_iv]

@@dantethunderstone2118theres always another cult

[@johnorourke5506]

Listening to this in 2023. Beautiful. Remember the best gift this year is Jesus himself! ❤

[@facitenonvictimarum174]

Kings College Choir Cambridge, a HUGE part of Christmas year after year, even here, 5300 miles away in Northern California.

[@user-ms6nx1tk4g]

Jesus came here to save all of us and He is coming back soon. May God’s grace be with you all 🙏✝️🕊❤️

[@Jim-bh7gs]

He can't come soon enough, but DON'T hold your breath.

[@liamfrankhuisen1014]

Amen

[@dantethunderstone2118]

Jesus was born in the spring, Christmas is a pagan holiday that was rebranded by the romans when they adopted Christianity Also religion has no place in the developed world, there’s no reason to believe in the magic sky daddy anymore

[@lakelighterfluid2682]

i wish

[@KingSimba527]

Amen 🙏

[@gilbertrr]

I believe the Lord Jesus Christ is pleased!!!

[@franzitaduz]

Merry Christmas to all the children of God worldwide. The King reigns forever. Come once, he shall return. Peace, joy and hope till that day!

[@angelacooper2661]

Jesus Christ is Lord!!!

[@yoonajihyorose8279]

@@angelacooper2661 Yes of course ❤😇 JESUS IS KING God Bless You all 😇

[@andrewjohnstone963]

Happy birthday Jesus 🎂 ❤ He has never let me down and he never shall 🙏 ❤️

[@clairespareoomcheepicheep7092]

King's College Choir is the world's best choir!

[@isacsam933]

So happy to see so many Christian believers in European church.... God bless you dear brothers and sisters.

[@wilhufftarkin8543]

As a Catholic, I have a very soft spot in my heart for high church Anglicanism. In a way, you guys appreciate the appropriate form of Mass more than most modern Catholics. Merry Christmas to my brothers and sisters in Christ!

[@shegelee]

I always look up to watching King' s College Chapel, Nine lessons every year. Merry Christmas from Lagos, Nigeria.

[@NP-ui3tr]

Merry Christmas from Detroit

[@user-qi8pp1rr2q]

Merry Christmas to all brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ! God bless you all!

[@connoroleary591]

Greetings to you from the UK. A very Happy Christmas to you, your family and all the children of God.

[@edmatthews420]

praise the everlasting lord! it is never too late to accept Jesus into your lives

[@K--dj6ye]

All Glory, Honor, and Praise to Jesus Christ. King of kings and Lord of lords. ✝️🕊 St. Padre Pio pray for us.

[@alanbannruod538]

May the world always be in peace, Merry Christmas from Germany👏🎄

[@edelweiss-]

this christmas piece is german :). the great Mendelssohn composed it in beautiful Leipzig.

[@Shawn-mo6dh]

Prost

[@MiguelAngelRodriguez-si6cg]

Merry Chistmas from Spain. Thank you young people from the King College Choir. Thanks

[@GM-oi4vg]

Feliz Navidad!!

[@andrewmiles3378]

Feliz Navidad (2023!)

[@adas.3038]

Mery Christmas to everyone and thank you GOD for giving JESUS ro all of us. Happy Birthday, LORD. From Poland.

[@matthewdavies9997]

A wonderful celebration of what Christmas is. Greetings from Haga Haga on the wild coast of South Africa.

[@Clare0116]

Thank you for sharing, especially for those who will never have the chance to attend in person. God Bless You All! 👑🕯️👑

[@sengchalaksangma8443]

Who still listening?? I'm doing listening almost everyday it's make my heart feel good nowadays Christmas times,, from North East India Meghalaya

[@unacucciola]

Best descant ever. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us who can’t attend the service in person.

[@ds1868]

This arrangement by Sir David Willcocks, former Director of Music of King's College Cambridge.

[@princesskateforthewin]

@@ds1868 RIP Sir David Willcocks and Sir Stephen Cleobury, my favorite choir directors. Never met them but I wish I had. I've been an Anglophile for at least 30 years, ever since I heard the King's College Choir (on the radio; I don't travel overseas because my ears 💥💢pop💥💢 badly). World's best choir!🇺🇲💚🇬🇧

[@Protestant_Voice]

“God and sinners reconciled” The wonders of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A perfect obedience, a sinless life, a sin atoning death and a glorious resurrection. “It is finished” Free salvation

[@luccasguimaraes]

Glory to God!

[@mjbranet7261]

Absolute chills at 2:44 !!!

[@sneezymonkey]

I used to sing the descant in school choir & it always gave me chills at that point too!

[@cirruslogic]

I love the sound of the choir and pipe organ. Merry Christmas.

[@PassionJo777]

Like angels! How this must make God so happy!! Those Soprano boys (sigh no words good enough ) Glory to the new born king!

[@stanleyezeogu9816]

Thank you King's College Choir... Christmas is made for me.

[@canisius04]

Sehr schön! In Deutschland singen wir dieses Lied auch in der hl. Messe: "Hört der Engel Chöre singen". Der Text ist aus dem Englischen übersetzt. Die Melodie kommt aus Deutschland, komponiert hat sie Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, der aus Hamburg stammt. Leider hat Corona in diesem Jahr das Singen im Gottesdienst sehr eingeschränkt.

[@bullyinspace]

Carols from Kings is Xmas 🎅 🤶 My favourite hymn is HTHA. In a full cathedral setting. Quite sublime

[@LaureninGermany]

I am so grateful to be able to hear this. Even though it makes me tear up! The sound of Christmas and hope for the future. I am so happy that some children still learn to sing music like this.

[@wahrheitsliebender]

Bei Gott eine wundervolle Hymne und der Text voll im Ziel - das gesamte Evangelium enthalten. Gruß!

[@beemer2869]

Absolutely beautiful. Christ our Redeemer, Christmas is our joy at knowing you. My heart and soul sing. ❤️

[@sharonan1]

One of the loveliest sets of lyrics of the Christmas hymns. And that descant! Well done, Mr. Willcocks.

[@stephenlberkesmd8157]

This is to all believers of redemption and artistic beauty.

[@tomnicholls9016]

Love the King's College choir. Merry Christmas from Canada!

[@joshualokzhicheng7135]

Amen . Proud to be christian ✝️

[@IgorBogdanoffs]

Christ is king ☝🏻 God bless the world

[@kendylhoudyshell1399]

Merry Christmas to you wonderful singers and organist. The true spirit fills my soul with every note 🎵 you sing. God's blessings to all of you 🙏

[@Jacob_._Roberts]

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas 🎅🎄 or whatever religious holiday you celebrate, and a happy and safe New Year.

[@SCconservative2011]

Magnificent! One of the most powerful and beautiful pieces of music ever written

[@jenniferhighley473]

Merry Christmas from the Hudson Valley in New York!

[@peregrinodoacaso4645]

Merry Christmas everyone, Christ the Savior is born, let us rejoice then, and may our feelings exude peace and joy, coming from this wonderful time. Oh magnificent time and full of lights that is Christmas, Merry Christmas from Brazil!🎄🎄🎄

[@eduardafreire7766]

Feliz Natal!

[@peregrinodoacaso4645]

@@eduardafreire7766 O Natal está chegando!!! Faltam 32 dias 🎄 🎄 🎄

[@eduardafreire7766]

@@peregrinodoacaso4645 simm!! estou muito animada :)

[@peregrinodoacaso4645]

@@eduardafreire7766 Feliz Natal e um Próspero Ano Novo também!!!

[@Terry-te1ij]

L'chaim

[@d.l.l.6578]

Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday Jesus, God Bless. We’ll get through all this. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🥳🥳🥳

[@suzanne5781]

Wonderful! Thank you and merry Christmas from Australia

[@thomasrusso8393]

Merry Christmas from NY!

[@barrytucker1561]

No one does Chrtsimas carols like the top rate British choirs :) That was glorious

[@princesskateforthewin]

You are so absolutely right! BTW, I wish I lived in England. But I digress. The King's College Choir is the best! I became an Anglophile after hearing them on the radio (for the first time) in 1994. RIP Sir Stephen Cleobury and Sir David Willcocks (my favorite choir directors)

[@NP-ui3tr]

God bless all those who lost a loved one to this devastating pandemic. Merry Christmas from Michigan 🎅❤️🎄

[@mgoblue8168]

Merry Christmas!

[@MRNASCARFAN25]

It's Christmas eve and I'm listening to this ! ❤

[@angelacooper2661]

I am an alto in a church choir and notice the key of G major here (normally our maestro plays it in F). Like the four part harmony and the unforgettable descant with it's top A. I love the swell of the organ - just incredible. WOW!!!

[@princesskateforthewin]

I'm an enthusiastic amateur organist and I fervently agree!

[@allenjones3130]

As a church chorister myself, I appreciate fine choral ensembles, especially at Christmas time. The King's College Choir's renditions of sacred carols are impeccable.

[@dianemoore-singer9139]

An amazing concert , filling my heart with joy this Christmas Eve. Thank you, thank you, thank you . Beautiful praiseworthy carols sang by amazing voices this year . Plaudits to the choirmaster and organ player. These carols were written specially for these beautiful choristers to do them justice. Well done indeed!

[@princesskateforthewin]

I fervently agree! They're the best! I'm an 🇺🇲 American Anglophile.💚 🇬🇧

[@pradeepgustuv6713]

Hymns and British seem to be synonymous to each other. Beautiful Christmas Carol.

[@russellprickett1652]

For the Lord is the great God and the great King above all gods. Psalm 95:3

[@Stickers2Go]

Whether you believe in God or not, can we all agree to just love each other and to make this planet better than ever?

[@barbarahumphreys1464]

An important part of Christmas. Always has me in tears.😢

[@michellemonksfield2171]

Merry Christmas to all from Australia

[@galenhilgard9881]

Oh thank You ..that was simply gorgeous,,shivers run up my back at the glorious singing fro Kings College Choir !!

[@supermariomadness2510]

Singing this song never gets old

[@jackmorrison7379]

Thank you KCC. The best. The peace and joy of Christmas to all of you, and to the world.🎄🙏✝

[@sureshd4662]

Merry Christmas to dear all people of the world May God bless you and give peace.

[@timeforthinkers7418]

Bless you all for this beautiful, heart-warming, uplifting performance. Just what the world is so in need of. Thank you. I will now sleep peacefully.

[@corinatudor9765]

Heppy New Yer everyone !

[@Yabuddy53]

Watching in the middle of July in the states ! Love it

[@ernst-janroeleveld]

Indeed. There's no Christmas without the beautiful carols of the Choir of the Cambridge church and University.

[@aboysarchives]

The glory of a new Christmas | Official Trailer

[@island661]

I remember singing this in school. I always liked this one.

[@shadesofcool3332]

Listening to this in 34 degrees heat... bring on Christmas! 🤣🤣🤣😎🎄

[@DiddlyPenguin]

I’ll be watching this tonight

[@aloofmilitaryveteran5023]

Marvelous. Christ is born! Christus natus est.

[@matthewrobson6335]

Glory to the new born King 🙏🙏🙏⛪⛪

[@XX-gy7ue]

MERRY 🎄 CHRISTMAS

[@ncavlleguy]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL PEACE ON EARTH 🎄⭐️🌲✝️🙏

[@krisjustin3884]

So nice to hear this performed so beautifully without trumpets drowning out the pipe organ in the final verse. A fuller spectrum of sound is often released in the final verse and when the trumpets are played at the same time it’s really annoying.

[@princesskateforthewin]

I fervently agree because although brass instruments are nice, the organ is my most favorite instrument. I've been an enthusiastic amateur organist for 40 years.

[@krisjustin3884]

@@princesskateforthewin Glad you also see this. Many thanks for your comment.

[@princesskateforthewin]

@@krisjustin3884 you're very welcome.

[@RBRILLANTES11-HollyWood06CA]

Have a Merry Christmas to everyone ❤

[@muratcanarslan]

Merry Christmas to everyone God is Big

[@johnstondann7064]

This is a great tradition from the Kings College. Absolutely beautiful hymns, merry Christmas to all.

[@samuelfaroore4783]

Thank you Kings College Choir. Merry Christmas from Nigeria

[@hoangnguyenduckhanh1009]

This is beautiful! Love from Vietnam.

[@jondellar]

Magnificent! Just magnificent.

[@benf41]

Wonderful song thanks for beautiful kristmas van ben fastenau Middelburg Holland thanks

[@jujubellinhaful]

God bless you all 🙏💙⭐

[@user-qb8fp8oj1p]

Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 2023/12/24😇🤩🌎🌍🌏

[@cklyngdoh4628]

Waw! King's College Choir👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤

[@RoyceLopez777]

Sublime and divine! Truly the angels sing!

[@Del-yv1qy]

This is what it's all about.......not money and greed .

[@ewrock7635]

Merry Christmas, everyone.

[@rominadachiele2430]

Thanks ❤️🎹 Italy.

[@sarribel]

best choir in the world

[@princesskateforthewin]

Precisely!

[@trevortomah8508]

Wonderful, thank you KCC Choir, Merry Christmas, GOD bless all.

[@raymondmuench3266]

The Willcocks’ descant is the ne plus ultra in the execution of this carol.

[@princesskateforthewin]

Willcocks arrangements are the best, aren't they! 👍

[@sylviakruger5000]

Beautiful Christmas hymn, choir and cathedral!

[@ethandetienne1904]

Merry Christmas to all, Christ is Born today! God bless all!

[@paulaferrer183]

Se me caen las lagrimas cuando escucho el coro..🥲

[@knightofyeshuahamashiach]

Merry Christmas Everyone ❤️✝️

[@evansekemini9262]

Goosebumps all the way to the end, This is too beautiful

[@izardbourbon8172]

Merry Christmas from Indonesia

[@CharlieName33]

I am not a religious man, and neither was my high school choir teacher. But I'm ever grateful he showed me the beauty in choral music. These songs aren't just about being religious...they are songs of hope and beauty. Old words and songs that carry the light of ancestors who sought comfort in this life as we do now. Merry Christmas~!

[@princesskateforthewin]

I fervently agree with you, especially since I'm not a believer either. But beautiful music affects everyone regardless of what they believe in. BTW I'm an enthusiastic amateur organist.

[@Terry-te1ij]

So being religious is not good?

[@Terry-te1ij]

@@princesskateforthewin Why is being religious not good?

[@CharlieName33]

@Terry-te1ij That was never the implication. I may not be religious but I do believe there is life after death, just not how it says in the Bible. The point was that music like this transcends boundaries such as belief and non-belief. It brings out the true joy of the human spirit. It is light given tone and hope given breadth, it is the love of humanity that all may hear. It can be something that brings us together as imperfect creatures and I am thankful to know it's beauty.

[@princesskateforthewin]

@@Terry-te1ij Not for me!!!! It's full of oppressive doctrine! Case closed, please.

[@joraston]

Thank you from Western Australia

[@roberthunt1540]

I remember singing this in our old wooden Episcopal church, holding my father's hand, tears welling in my eyes. All these years later, I don't think it matters what one believes - we are united in the joy of song. Merry Christmas to this troubled, yet still redeemable, world.

[@aclark903]

It does matter, Rob, because what we believe affects what we do.

[@thomasdef634]

I concur wholesouledly, Mr Hunt. Beautifully stated, accentuated by your memories of church (Roman Catholic in my case back when, but tears, always the tears at the Christmas carols).

[@aclark903]

@@thomasdef634 Once Catholic, always #Catholic, isn't it?

[@princesskateforthewin]

Robert, I'm not a believer but Christmas carols from the Old World, especially England, are the best. I became an Anglophile in 1994 after I heard the King's College Choir (on the radio) for the first time.

[@princesskateforthewin]

@@aclark903 atheists and pagans are not necessarily bad people! There's good people who don't believe in a higher power, and bad people who do believe in a higher power.

[@curvedvector]

Love God. Love others.

[@jean-marcpipet6801]

Bravo pour cette fabuleuse musique si caractéristique du style de Cambridge. Le duo formé par l’orgue et les chœurs de king’s meriterait d’être inscrit au patrimoine mondial de l’humanité

[@werquantum]

Oh, my. Hallelujah!