English-language translations of
Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
Anonymous

This carol has been attributed to various authors, including John Francis Wade (1711–1786), with the earliest copies of the hymn all bearing his signature, John Reading (1645–1692) and King John IV of Portugal (1604–1656).

As to the authorship and actual date of this hymn nothing positive is known. Most probably it is a hymn of the 17th or 18th century, and of French or German authorship. As early as 1797 the hymn was sung at the Chapel of the Portuguese Embassy, of which Vincent Novello was organist and the tune (ascribed by Novello to John Reading, organist of Winchester Cathedral, 1675-1681, and of the College to 1692) at once became popular. [...] It has been translated many times into English and other languages, with at least sixteen translations in common usage. The most popular of these arrangements begin with Frederick Oakeley's opening of: "O come all ye faithful, joyfully triumphant", or, alternatively, with the second line reading "Joyful and triumphant". Additionally there are around another dozen published translations not in the common usage.

129802Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) — Anonymous

English-language translations of Adeste Fideles include:

The earliest known manuscript of "Adeste Fideles", 1740

As a hymn tune

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Versions of the hymn tune for Adeste Fideles include:

See also

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