Hark! The Herald Angels Sing — Free Lead Sheet PDF (Eb, Bb, Concert)

Felix Mendelssohn, arr. William H. Cummings · 1739 (words); 1855 (tune adaptation) · Traditional Christmas carol · Melody & chords only

Not sure which to pick? Our interactive saxophone transposition chart can help. PDFs open in a new tab — right-click (or long-press on mobile) and choose “Save as” to download.

About Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Wesley's Hymn, Mendelssohn's Tune

The words to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing were written by the Methodist minister Charles Wesley in 1739, originally opening with the rather different line “Hark, how all the welkin rings.” The text was revised by several editors over the following century into the version sung today.

The tune familiar today wasn't written for these words at all — it comes from a cantata Felix Mendelssohn composed in 1840 to mark the anniversary of Gutenberg's printing press, and the organist William H. Cummings adapted the melody to fit Wesley's hymn in 1855.

If you are also building a Christmas set, Joy to the World is another free carol on this site worth pairing it with.

The Tune & Chords

A Grand, Fanfare-Like Melody

Mendelssohn's melody has a broad, ceremonial quality that suits its cantata origins — wide leaps, a strong sense of arrival on the “Glory to the newborn King” refrain, and a natural fit for a full, confident tone. It reads and plays like a fanfare more than a folk tune, and rewards a bold, projected sound rather than an understated one.

One simplified concert-pitch harmonisation — traditional carols were passed down as melodies, so chord choices vary between arrangers and songbooks.

Using This Lead Sheet

A Confident Opener or Finale

This tune's grand, fanfare-like character makes it an effective opener or closer for a church service or carol concert, where its sense of occasion suits the start or end of a programme better than a quiet mid-set moment. Played straight with a full sound, it carries a room on its own.

If you would like one-to-one guidance building a Christmas set or working on your reading and improvisation more generally, saxophone lessons in person in South East London or online are available. You can also browse the full Christmas lead sheet index for more free carols, including The Holly and the Ivy.