#5 O Come, All Ye Faithful
The popular traditional religious Christmas carol "O Come, All Ye Faithful," originally known as "Adeste Fideles," has been translated many times in many different cultures.
The words for the carol were written by John Francis Wade in 1743. Verses 1-3 and verse 6 were translated from Latin to English by Frederick Oakeley in 1841 while verses 4 and 5 were translated by William Thomas Brooke (1848-1917). The music composition has been attributed variously to John Wade, John Reading, or Simao Portogallo. The earliest existing manuscript shows the words as well as the tune and lists John Wade as both writer and composer.
It was published in the 1760 edition of Evening Offices of the Church. John Francis Wade included it in his own publication of Cantus Diversi in 1761.
The carol has been covered by some of the greatest contemporary artists; from Josh Groban, Clay Aiken and Martina McBride to Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
The words for the carol were written by John Francis Wade in 1743. Verses 1-3 and verse 6 were translated from Latin to English by Frederick Oakeley in 1841 while verses 4 and 5 were translated by William Thomas Brooke (1848-1917). The music composition has been attributed variously to John Wade, John Reading, or Simao Portogallo. The earliest existing manuscript shows the words as well as the tune and lists John Wade as both writer and composer.
It was published in the 1760 edition of Evening Offices of the Church. John Francis Wade included it in his own publication of Cantus Diversi in 1761.
The carol has been covered by some of the greatest contemporary artists; from Josh Groban, Clay Aiken and Martina McBride to Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
(Refrain)
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
Repeat refrain
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Repeat refrain
See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
Repeat refrain
Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.
Repeat refrain
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?
Repeat refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
Repeat refrain
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
(Refrain)
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
Repeat refrain
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Repeat refrain
See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
Repeat refrain
Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.
Repeat refrain
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?
Repeat refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
Repeat refrain