I learned this as a teenager when our church choir sang it in the original French as well as in English.   It was nice to find the lyrics online, as I'd forgotten part of the French ones.


Les Anges Dans Nos Compagnes
(traditional French Christmas carol)

The English "singable translation" is "Angels We Have Heard On High," but the translation given here is the literal translation of the French.


Les anges dans nos campagnes
Ont entonné l'hymne des cieux,
Et l'écho de nos montagnes
Redit ce chant mélodieux.

[The angels in our fields
Have started singing the heavenly hymn
And the echo of our mountains
Repeat this melodious song.]

Gloria in excelsis Déo! (x2)
(The syllable "Glo-" in "Gloria, of course, uses 16 different melody notes.)

Bergers, pour qui cette fête,
Quel est l'objet de tous ces chants?
Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête
Mérite ces cris triomphants ?

[Shepherds, for whom this party,
Who are all these songs about?
What victor, what conquest
Merits these triumphant cries?]

Gloria in excelsis Déo! (x2)

Il est né, le Dieu de gloire.
Terre tressaille de bonheur.
Que tes hymnes de victoire
Chantent, célèbrent ton sauveur!

[He is born, the God of glory.
Earth trembles with joy.
Sing your hymns of victory,
Celebrate your savior!]

Gloria in excelsis Déo! (2x)
  
Here is the more common, "singable" translation (found in many hymnals.)

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plain,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strain.

Gloria in excelsis Déo! (2x)

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria in excelsis Déo! (2x)

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing.
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria in excelsis Déo! (2x)

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise.
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

MIDI