This traditional French Christmas carol, "Les anges dans nos campagnes," is better known to English-speaking people by its translated title, "Angels We Have Heard on High." It first appeared in France probably in the latter decades of the eighteenth century and quickly became popular throughout the country. Its appeal soon reached beyond French borders and the song began appearing in other languages. James Chadwick translated it into English, and his now-famous version was first issued in the 1862 publication Crown of Jesus. The French version is arguably a better fit for the melody than the English rendition. The tune is the same, of course, and for those unfamiliar with it, it can be described as having two distinct but subtly connected parts. The first is spirited and folk-like, but limited in its vocal range, while the second sounds slower (though it is not) and is sung in Latin (Gloria in excelsis Deo) with many sustained, descending notes. The contrast between the two halves is brilliantly imaginative, especially in how they are so seamlessly bridged. Both the French and English versions are still widely performed, but have declined somewhat in popularity since the last quarter of the twentieth century. ~ Robert Cummings, All Music Guide
