John Francis Wade facts for kids

John Francis Wade (born January 1, 1711 – died August 16, 1786) was an English musician and writer of hymns. He is often thought to have written and composed the famous hymn "Adeste Fideles". This hymn is also known as "O Come All Ye Faithful," which was translated into English in 1841. Even though many early copies of the hymn have Wade's name on them, we aren't completely sure who wrote it.

After a big event called the Jacobite rising of 1745 ended, John Francis Wade had to leave England. He moved to France, where he lived with other English Catholics who were also in exile. In France, he taught music and created church music for private use.

What Was the Jacobite Rising?

The Jacobite Rising of 1745 was a major rebellion in Great Britain. It was an attempt by supporters of the exiled House of Stuart royal family to put Bonnie Prince Charlie on the throne. This group was known as the Jacobites. They wanted to bring back the Stuart kings who had been removed from power. The rebellion failed, and many Jacobites, like Wade, had to leave the country.

Hidden Meanings in Music?

Some experts, like Bennett Zon from Durham University, believe that John Francis Wade's religious books and music might have contained secret messages. These messages were likely for the Jacobites, the people who supported Bonnie Prince Charlie.

For example, the hymn "Adeste Fideles" might have been a special song celebrating the birth of Bonnie Prince Charlie. It's thought that the words had hidden meanings that only the "faithful" – meaning the Jacobite followers – would understand. This was a clever way to share their beliefs and hopes without being too obvious.