The Latin Mystery on page 203 in the Hymn Book

THERE is a popular hymn sung during December in many Sacrament meetings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the majority of Church members DO NOT fully understand.

It is: “Angels We Have Heard on High” (Hymn book page No. 203).

This French carol contains an untranslated Latin phrase that the vast majority of Church members who sing it, do not understand what they are singing – unless they know Latin, or they go out of their way to look up the meaning.

(I’m personally not much of a singer, but I do like to know what the meaning of what I’m singing is, or listening to is….)

“Gloria in excelsis Deo” is the key Latin phrase in the hymn that members sing six total times in three verses.

Surprisingly, the current Hymn book contains no footnote or side reference to what this 4-word French phrase means either.

I just consider it odd – especially for adults – to sing something if the full meaning is not clear, as in “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

Now this hymn isn't strictly a Mormon tune, it is also sung in many other Christian churches too, having been around since 1862.

-For the record, “Gloria in excelsis Deo" means “Glory to God in the Highest.”

Obviously music and other artistic endeavors sometimes take certain liberties to seem more paramount, smoother and/or striking and this foreign verse in this song is likely one of these …

NOTE: This article and all of the NighUntoKolob blog are NOT an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are the author's conclusions and opinions only.