There are many traditional French nursery rhymes that have been translated into English and have become very popular. Angels We Have Heard on High is also originally a French Christmas carol that is now quite popular in many English-speaking countries. If the Christmas season is approaching and you are looking for a nice tune to play on the piano besides the old classics like Jingle Bells, Silent Night or Deck the Halls, then this is an excellent choice. It’s not too long, but has a very nice melody and is a good song for beginners to practice their piano skills. So let’s learn a little more about the background and history of this song, and we’ll also show you how to play it in this free piano lesson. At the end of this article you will also find the lyrics with easy letter notation and sheet music to download.
History of Angels we have Heard on High
Angels We Have Heard on High is a popular Christmas carol with roots dating back to 18th century France. The melody comes from the French hymn “Les Anges dans nos Campagnes,” which translates to “The Angels in Our Countryside. This traditional melody was composed to honor the biblical account of shepherds who, while tending their flocks, were visited by angels who announced the birth of Jesus. Its most iconic feature, the soaring refrain “Gloria in Excelsis Deo,” is a Latin phrase that means “Glory to God in the highest,” directly reflecting the heavenly message of the Gospel of Luke. The extended “Gloria” gives the chorus a sense of awe and grandeur that has captivated listeners for centuries.
In 1862, the carol was translated into English by James Chadwick, a Roman Catholic bishop, who preserved the joyful essence of the French original. His version quickly gained popularity and became a staple of both church services and holiday celebrations. A unique aspect of the carol is its musical structure: the long, sweeping lines of the “Gloria” present a majestic challenge to the singers, adding to its unmistakable beauty.
Piano Letter Notes for Angels we have Heard on High
Angels We Have Heard on High is a nice piece to play on the piano. To make this Christmas carol a little more accessible to the young ones, we recommend playing it in the key of C major, which avoids the complexity of the black keys. In addition, we will start with simple piano notes, which are just the letters of the notes above the lyrics, making it much easier for beginners and children compared to sheet music, which requires some music theory skills to read.
But first, beginners should familiarize themselves with the location of each note on the piano keyboard they’ll be playing. Keep in mind that this song requires two different notes of G. The notation ‘G refers to the lower octave version of the note.
Here are the keys on the keyboard that you have to use for the Christmas carol Angels We Have Heard on High:
Labeling the piano keys is a helpful way to help beginners quickly identify the correct notes while reading lyrics with letter notes. This visual aid can make learning less challenging, allowing students to focus on playing without having to worry about finding the right keys. However, as they become more comfortable and master a few songs, it’s important to remove these labels. This removal encourages students to rely on their memory, which helps them build independence and a stronger connection to the instrument.
To help with this transition, don’t forget to check out our Piano Note Reading Guide. It provides simple, effective methods for recognizing the keys on a piano and how they correspond to the notes in the music.
The following chart with the lyrics and the letter notes enables you to learn and play Angels we have Heard on High:
Not sure if you got it right on the piano? Check out our piano recording of this song. You can also slow it down and play along as you practice.
Each song gives you the option to play with either one or both hands, offering different levels of difficulty. For beginners, especially younger ones, it’s easier to start with one hand and focus on single notes instead of full chords. Learning the melody one note at a time helps build confidence. As students progress, they can gradually begin to use both hands, eventually working up to more complex arrangements of the song.
Piano Sheet Music for Angels we have Heard on High
Angels We Have Heard on High sheet music is not really difficult to read. However, it does require some basic understanding of how music is written and what the different symbols mean. This means that for beginners and children who have never studied how to read or write music, it may still be quite difficult. But if you are just starting to learn music notation, this is a great song to start with.
Here are the music notes for Angels we have Heard on High:
Free PDF Printables for Angels we have Heard on High
You can easily download our free PDF printables of Angels We Have Heard on High, which include both piano letter notes version and traditional sheet music. Whether you’re a teacher looking to incorporate this song into your lessons or a student practicing at home, these printables are a convenient way to have the music at your fingertips. Printing them out makes it easier to follow along while playing or singing.
Interested in instruments other than the piano? You can also find a free lesson on how to play Angels we have Heard on High on the guitar.
