Hark What Mean Those Holy Voices

Hark What Mean Those Holy Voices is a hymn text by Unknown (1850) in 7.6.7.6 D meter. Found in tlh 83. Sung to HYFRYDOL.

The hymn celebrates the angelic proclamation of Christ's birth and the announcement of peace, emphasizing the cosmic significance of the Incarnation. It grounds Lutheran understanding of Christmas in the heavenly witness to salvation history and the promise of reconciliation through Christ.

History & Background

This hymn first appeared in The Hymnal Noted in the mid-19th century as part of the English carol tradition. It has remained a staple Christmas carol in Lutheran hymnals, particularly TLH, reflecting Victorian-era carol compositions.

Hymnal Appearances

• The Lutheran Hymnal — 83

Bulletin Note

This 1850 hymn captures the Incarnation as heavenly proclamation. Its double meter (7.6.7.6 D) and triumphant tune Hyfrydol lift the angelic witness into a celebration of Christ as God's definitive Word of peace to creation.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms Christmas from sentiment into cosmic proclamation: the angels' announcement of Christ's birth is the Gospel's purest form—the declaration of unearned peace and salvation that silences every human claim and demand.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological anticipation (St. 1-2) → Incarnational paradox (St. 3) → Pneumatological reign (St. 4)

Background Research

John Cawood (1775–1852), son of a Matlock, Derbyshire farmer. At 18 he took work with a clergyman at Sutton-in-Ashfield, which turned him toward the ministry; he studied privately, then at St Edmund Hall, Oxford (BA 1801), and was ordained in 1800. After curacies at Ribbesford and Dowles, he was perpetual curate of St Anne's, Bewdley, Worcestershire from 1814 until his death. He founded a Sunday school, a mission at Far Forest that grew into Holy Trinity Church (1844), and taught at the grammar school. He wrote 13–20 hymns, rarely published under his name; nine appeared in Cotterill's Selection (1819), the source of this one. Hymnary titles it 'The Incarnation'. The angels' song to the shepherds (Luke 2:13–14): 'Hark! what mean those holy voices, / Sweetly sounding through the skies?', with each stanza closing in a doxology. A popular 19th-century Christmas hymn, set by Sullivan, Lowell Mason and Dudley Buck.

Sources: Wikipedia 'John Cawood (hymnwriter)'.

Overview

A Christmas hymn by John Cawood, an English clergyman, on the angels' song of Luke 2:14. What are those holy voices? The angel host rejoices (st. 1) and sings 'Glory to God in the highest' (st. 2) and peace on earth — souls redeemed and sins forgiven (st. 3). Christ the Anointed is born; receive him as Prophet, Priest and King (st. 4). Mortals should hasten to adore him (st. 5), learn the story of the Redeemer's birth and spread his glory over the earth (st. 6).

Central theme: The angels' Gloria announcing the birth of Christ, Prophet, Priest and King, who brings redemption and forgiveness

Structure

Six 8.7.8.7 quatrains. The voices (1) — Gloria (2) — peace and forgiveness (3) — the Anointed (4) — adoration (5) — mission (6).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout: 'Souls redeemed and sins forgiven' (3).

Confessional Connections

'Prophet, Priest, and King' (st. 4) — the threefold office of Christ, the Anointed: Prophet who preaches the Gospel, Priest who sacrificed himself and intercedes, King who rules his Church (AC III; Ap IV). 'Peace on earth… souls redeemed and sins forgiven' — the angels' peace is reconciliation with God (Rom 5:1). The Gloria in Excelsis of the Divine Service comes from this song.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Christmas; Christmas season.

Historical Notes

Cawood (1775-1852), an Anglican clergyman in Worcestershire, wrote it in 1819.

About the Tune

STUTTGART (Psalmodia Sacra, Gotha, 1715).

Scripture References

Luke 2:13-14 Luke 2:10-11 Rev 5:8-9 Deut 18:15 Heb 4:14 Ps 110:4 Luke 1:32-33 Ps 2:6 Ps 34:8 Rev 5:12-13 Hab 2:14 Matt 28:19

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Incarnation Angels and heaven Glory of Christ Divine proclamation Peace on earth

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Hark What Mean Those Holy Voices" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "HYFRYDOL" ↗