Angels from the Realms of Glory

Hymn lyrics and .mp3 Download

Listen to:
  Angels from the Realms of Glory Piano (.mp3)
  Angels from the Realms of Glory (.midi)
  Angels from the Realms of Glory (.mp3)
  Angels from the Realms of Glory Bells Version (.mp3)

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1. Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth; ye who sang creation's story now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Refrain: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.

2. Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o'er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: (Refrain)

3. Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar; seek the great Desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star: (Refrain)

4. Saints, before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear; suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear: (Refrain)

Words by: James Montgomery
Music by: Henry T. Smart
Video so you can sing along to Angels from the Realms of Glory

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Story of the hymn Angels from the realms of glory

✍️ The Poet: James Montgomery

James Montgomery (1771–1854) was a Scottish-born poet and newspaper editor known for his deep Christian faith and social conscience.
On Christmas Eve 1816, Montgomery published the poem “Angels from the Realms of Glory” in the Sheffield Iris, the newspaper he edited. He was inspired by Luke 2 and the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth.
The poem was written during a time of personal and national hardship—post-Napoleonic war Britain—making its message of hope and divine intervention especially poignant

🎶 The Tune: “Regent Square” by Henry Smart

The hymn was originally sung to various tunes, but in the mid-19th century, it was paired with “Regent Square,” a majestic melody composed by Henry Smart (1813–1879), a British organist and composer.
Smart’s tune gave the hymn its enduring power and singability, especially for congregational worship. “Regent Square” is now the most widely used setting in the U.S. and many English-speaking countries

🌟 The Message and Structure

The hymn is structured as a call to worship from different groups: angels, shepherds, sages (wise men), saints, and sinners—all invited to “Come and worship Christ, the newborn King.”
Its refrain—“Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King”—was added later to enhance its musical and liturgical impact