Looking for Hark The Herald Angels Sing tonic solfa? This guide gives you the full solfa notation, complete lyrics, and easy practice tips to help you sing or teach this classic Christmas carol with confidence.
About Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is one of the most iconic Christmas carols worldwide. Written in 1739 by Charles Wesley with the familiar melody adapted by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840, it celebrates the birth of Jesus with joyful and uplifting lyrics.
- Lyrics: Charles Wesley
- Music (Melody adaptation): Felix Mendelssohn
- Genre: Christmas carol / Holiday song
- Purpose: Praise the birth of Christ and celebrate the joy of Christmas
Its majestic melody and structured rhythm make it ideal for tonic solfa practice, helping beginners learn pitch, timing, and musical expression while singing or playing.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing Lyrics
Verse 1
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn 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 hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”
Verse 2
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
[Refrain]
Verse 3
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
[Refrain]
Hark the Herald Angels Sing Tonic Solfa Notation
Below is the complete tonic solfa for Hark The Herald Angels Sing. This notation makes it easy for singers and students to follow the melody without needing full sheet music.
Line 1
Hark the He – rald
s dI dI t
dI stands for lower octave “d“.
Line 2
An – gels sing
d m m r
Line 3
Glo – ry to
s s s
Line 4
The new born King
f m r m
Line 5
Peace on Earth
sI d d
sI stands for lower octave “s“.
Line 6
And mer – cy mild
tI d m m r
Line 7
God and sin – ners
sI r r d
sI stands for lower octave “s“.
Line 8
Re – con – ciled
tI lI sI
tI stands for lower octave “t“.
lI stands for lower octave “l“.
sI stands for lower octave “s“.
Line 9
Chorus
Joy – ful all
s s s
Line 10
Ye na – tions ri – se
d f m m r
Line 11
Join the tri – umph
s s s d
Line 12
Of the skies
f m m r
Line 13
With th’an – ge – lic
l l l s
Line 14
Host pro – claim
f m f
Line 15
Christ is born
r m f s
Line 16
In Beth – le – hem
d d r m
Line 17
Hark! the he – rald
l l l s
Line 18
An – gel sings
f m f
Line 19
Glo – ry to
r m f s
Line 20
The new born King
d d r d
Playing on Piano or Keyboard
- Begin with right-hand melody
- Sing the solfa while playing to reinforce pitch
- Practice slowly before increasing tempo
- Break the song into small sections (verse, chorus)
Pro Tip: Use hand clapping or light percussion to reinforce the rhythm.
Downloadable PDF
Learning and practicing music becomes much easier when you have a sheet you can carry around. That’s why we’ve prepared a printable PDF version of the Hark The Herald Angels Sing tonic solfa.
👉 Download Hark The Herald Angels Sing Tonic Solfa PDF
Here are the great lessons you can check out to enhance your musical experience.
- Top 10 Easy Christmas Carol Songs in Tonic Solfa
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- Ding Dong Merrily on High Tonic Solfa
- Jingle Bells Tonic Solfa
- Practical Way to Master Tonic Solfa for Beginners
- What Are Note Values in Music
- How to Find the Tonic Solfa of Any Song
- 10 Ear Training Techniques For Musicians
Hark the Herald Angel Sing Tonic Solfa Video
FAQs
1. Who wrote Hark! The Herald Angels Sing?
The lyrics were originally written by Charles Wesley in 1739. They were later revised by George Whitefield, who gave the hymn the more familiar opening line we sing today.
2. How can I learn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing in tonic sol-fa?
You can follow the tonic sol-fa notation provided in this guide. Start with the melody line, practice slowly, and then add harmonies or lyrics as you gain confidence.
3. Can beginners sing this carol in sol-fa?
Absolutely. Tonic sol-fa is designed to make music learning simple. Beginners can easily follow the syllables (d, r, m, f, s) to master the tune before moving to full lyrics.
4. Who composed the music for Hark! The Herald Angels Sing?
The tune most commonly used today was adapted from a piece by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840. His triumphant melody gave the carol its uplifting and celebratory character.
5. What is the message of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing?
The carol proclaims the birth of Jesus Christ and its significance for humanity. It emphasizes peace, joy, and the mystery of God becoming man (the incarnation).
6. Why is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing important in Christmas traditions?
It is one of the most popular carols worldwide, sung in churches, schools, and communities. Many Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services begin or end with this hymn as a joyful declaration of “Glory to the newborn King!”
Final Thought
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is more than a Christmas carol—it is a timeless proclamation of the gospel through music. With its rich history from Charles Wesley’s lyrics, George Whitefield’s revisions, and Felix Mendelssohn’s melody, this hymn beautifully combines theology and artistry. Learning it in tonic sol-fa makes it even more accessible for choirs, schools, and congregations who wish to strengthen their musical skills while celebrating the birth of Christ.
👉 If you found this guide helpful, explore more of our Tonic Sol-fa carol tutorials and share this resource with your choir, students, or friends preparing for Christmas.
