O Come All Ye Faithful Lyrics
1 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!
2 God from true God, and
Light from Light eternal,
born of a virgin, to earth he comes!
Only-begotten Son of God the Father: [Refrain]
3 Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest: [Refrain]
4 Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: [Refrain]
O Come All Ye Faithful Hymn Story
“O Come All Ye Faithful” is a Christmas carol originally composed in Latin by John Francis Wade while he was in exile in France. The earliest manuscript for this song is dated 1743.
The Latin name for this hymn is “Adeste fideles”.
It was originally translated into English by Frederick Oakeley in 1841.
This Christmas carol has gone through various revisions by various musicians over the years.
Wade, a Catholic, was English but fled England following the discrimination meted out against Catholics in the eighteenth century.
This was a time of revolts and tensions between Catholics and Protestants in the United Kingdom. And since power was in the hands of the Protestants there was a lot of discrimination against Catholics.
Even when it came to succession of the British monarchy, no Catholics were allowed to take over the throne.
While in France, Wade taught at the English college in Douay and made money by selling chant music for use in rich people’s chapels.
John Francis Wade was born in England in 1711 and died in France in 1786.
Below are more Christmas carols:
Once In Royal David’s City Christmas Carol
In The Bleak Midwinter Christmas Carol and Story
Mary Did You Know (Christmas Carol with lyrics)
Joy To the World Lyrics and Story
Away In a Manger, No Crib for a Bed
O Come All Ye Faithful Christmas Carol Video
For more hymns’ stories and lyrics see below:
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus Lyrics