Verse 1
Adeste Fideles laeti triumphantes,
Venite, venite in Bethlehem.
Natum videte, Regem Angelorum;
Refrain
Venite adoremus,
venite adoremus,
venite adoremus
Dominum!
Verse 2
Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine,
gestant puellae viscera.
Deum verum, genitum non factum; (refrain)
Verse 3
Cantet nunc io chorus Angelorum
cantet nunc aula caelestium:
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Verse 4
Ergo qui natus, die hodierna,
Jesu, tibi sit gloria.
Patris aeterni Verbum caro factum;
Verse 5
En grege relicto, Humiles ad cunas,
vocati pastores approperant.
Et nos ovanti gradu festinemus;
Verse 6
Aeterni Parentis splendorem aeternum,
velatum sub carne videbimus.
Deum infantem, pannis involutum;
Verse 7
Pro nobis egenum et foeno cubantem,
piis foveamus amplexibus.
Sic nos anamtem quis non redamaret?
Verse 8
Stella duce, Magi, Christum adorantes,
aurum, thus, et myrrham dant munera.
Jesu infanti corda praebeamus.
The Mysterious Origins of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’
Ever wondered about the story behind “O Come All Ye Faithful,” that Christmas carol you’ve probably sung a hundred times? Well, grab a cup of cocoa and settle in, because it’s quite a tale!
First off, you might know it better by its Latin name, “Adeste Fideles.” It’s one of those timeless carols that just screams “Christmas” as soon as you hear the first few notes. But here’s the strange thing, no one’s quite sure where it came from!
What we do know is that this carol has been around for at least 250 years. That’s older than the United States! But when it comes to who actually wrote it, well, that’s where things get interesting.
Some music detectives point to King John IV of Portugal as the possible composer. This guy wasn’t just your average king – he was known as “the musician-king” and lived from 1604 to 1656. Apparently, he was quite the music buff, writing his own tunes and building up a massive music library that would make any spotify playlist look tiny in comparison.
But hold on, there’s another contender in this musical mystery. Other historians reckon it was an English hymnist named John Francis Wade who penned the carol. Wade lived from 1711 to 1786, so a bit later than our musical monarch.
The oldest versions of “Adeste Fideles” we’ve found are all in Latin. The English version most of us know and love? That didn’t come along until 1841, when a British Catholic priest named Frederick Oakeley decided to translate it.
Now, if you’re feeling ambitious, both versions have eight verses. But don’t worry if you can’t remember them all – not all the verses appeared in the earliest published versions. And that last verse? It’s usually reserved for Christmas Mass, so you’re off the hook for caroling.
Whether you prefer belting it out in English or fancy yourself a Latin scholar, “O Come All Ye Faithful” is a fantastic addition to any Christmas playlist or caroling session. So next time you’re singing along, impress your friends with your newfound knowledge about this mysterious musical masterpiece!