"Adeste Fideles" is a hymn tune attributed to English hymnist John Francis Wade (although the exact authorship is unknown and disputed). The text itself has unclear beginnings, and may have been written in the 13th century, though it has been concluded that Wade was probably the author.
The original four verses of the hymn were extended to a total of eight, and these have been translated into many languages many times, though the English "O Come All Ye Faithful" translation by the English Roman Catholic priest Frederick Oakeley is particularly widespread.
Lyrics
- 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
- [Chorus]
- O come let us adore Him
- O come let us adore Him
- O come let us adore Him
- Christ the Lord
- Sing choirs of angels
- Sing in exultation
- Sing all ye citizens of heav'n above
- Glory to God in the Highest
- [Chorus]
- Yea Lord we greet Thee
- Born this happy morning
- Jesus to Thee be glory giv'n
- Word of the Father now in flesh appearing
- [Chorus]