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"Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" is a popular Christmas carol, but it was not originally composed by Felix Mendelssohn. However, there is an interesting connection between Mendelssohn and this carol:

1. Composition Origin: The melody for "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" was originally composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840 as part of a cantata called "Festgesang" (Festival Song). The cantata was written to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press.

2. Lyrics: The lyrics we associate with the carol today were not originally written for Mendelssohn's melody. The words were penned by Charles Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, and were originally part of a hymn titled "Hymns and Sacred Poems" in 1739. The lyrics were later adapted to fit Mendelssohn's melody, creating the version we know today.

3. Modification: The adaptation of Wesley's lyrics to Mendelssohn's melody was done by various composers, including William H. Cummings, who made significant changes to the text to match the music. This resulted in the familiar version of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" that is widely sung during the Christmas season.

4. Debate: There has been some debate and controversy surrounding the use of Mendelssohn's music for a Christmas carol, as Mendelssohn was of Jewish heritage and did not intend for his music to be associated with religious Christmas celebrations. Nevertheless, the melody has become an integral part of Christmas traditions worldwide.

So, while Felix Mendelssohn did compose the melody for "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," the lyrics we sing today were not originally intended for this music.