Glory to God

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"Glory to God" is a Christmas carol popular among American and Canadian Reformed churches that have Dutch roots. It is translated from the Dutch "Ere Zij God" and is one of the most beloved carols sung in the Protestant churches in the Netherlands.

Whether the original text is the Dutch "Ere Zij God" or the German "Ehre sei Gott", the lyrics are inspired by the words that the angels sang when the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in Luke 2:14.

The hymn is thus one of a series that have drawn on that text, including Angels We Have Heard on High, Angels from the Realms of Glory, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, and, by far the most ancient, the Greater Doxology or Gloria in Excelsis Deo.

The music is attributed to F.A. Schultz, of whom little is known except for references by others that a Franz Albert Schultz wrote a song book while working at a college in Königsberg in 1731. No copies of this book are extant. Dutch song books indicate the composition date as 1870. The music is grandiose in style, in the A-B-A form, with an extended, flowing double-Amen ending.

Contents

[edit] Lyrics

Glory to God! Glory to God!
In the highest, in the highest, in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth
To the people whom God delights in.

Glory to God in the highest, glory to God in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth
To the people, to the people whom God delights in,
To the people whom God delights in, whom God delights in.

Glory to God! Glory to God!
In the highest, in the highest, in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth
To the people whom God delights in.

Amen. Amen.

[edit] New Version Lyrics

[Cantor (a cappella)]Glory to God. Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

[REFRAIN: ALL]Glory to God. Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

VERSE 1 [Cantor] Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory! (back to refrain)

VERSE 2 [Cantor] Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. (refrain)

VERSE 3 [Cantor] For you alone aare the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High-- Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father.

[Final Refrain] [Choir (a cappella)] Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. (Instruments re-enter] Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. A - men, A - men, A - men.--- (Additional "A - men" for Tenor)

[edit] External links

[edit] Bibliography

  • Dutch songbook "Kun je nog zingen, zing dan mee!"