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! 2. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing, all ye bright hosts of heav'n above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest! 3. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n; Word of the Father, now in the flesh appearing! Chorus: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Lyrics: Latin hymn, 18th century
Music: John Francis Wade's "Cantus Diversi", 1751
Tune: ADESTE FIDELES
Meter: Irregular meter
Latin hymn, 18th century
English translation by Frederick Oakeley, 1802–1880
For many years this hymn was known as an anonymous Latin hymn. Recent research, however, has revealed manuscripts that indicate that it was written in 1744 by an English layman named John Wade and set to music by him in much the same style as used today. The hymn first appeared in his collection, Cantus Diversi, published in England in 1751. One hundred years later the carol was translated into its present English form by an Anglican minister, Frederick Oakeley, who desired to use it for his congregation. The tune name, “Adeste Fideles,” is taken from the first words of the original Latin text, and translated literally means “be present or near, ye faithful.”