O Come, All Ye Faithful facts for kids

"O Come, All Ye Faithful", also known by its Latin name "Adeste Fideles", is a very famous Christmas carol. A carol is a joyful song, often sung during holidays. This particular song is also a hymn, which is a type of religious song. Many people have been suggested as the author of this carol. These include John Francis Wade, John Reading, and even John IV of Portugal. The oldest printed version of the song appeared in a book by Wade. A handwritten copy by Wade from 1751 is kept at Stonyhurst College in England.

The song originally had four verses in Latin. Over time, more verses were added, making a total of eight. These verses have been translated into many different languages around the world. In 1841, an English priest named Frederick Oakeley translated the hymn into English. This English version, "O Come All Ye Faithful", quickly became very popular in countries where English is spoken.

About "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

The Song's History

Who Wrote the Words?

The original words of this hymn have been linked to several people and groups over the years. Some thought St. Bonaventure wrote it in the 1200s. Others believed it was John IV of Portugal in the 1600s. It was also commonly thought that Cistercian monks wrote the text.

Today, most English hymn books credit the words to John Francis Wade. Wade was an English Catholic who lived in France. He earned a living by copying musical manuscripts. He often signed his copies because his handwriting was so beautiful. In 1751, he published a collection of his copies called Cantus Diversi. This book is the first place where "Adeste Fideles" appeared in print.

Wade's version had four Latin verses. Later, a French priest named Jean-François-Étienne Borderies added three more Latin verses. There is also another Latin verse that is not often printed.

Who Composed the Music?

Just like the words, the music for "O Come, All Ye Faithful" has been attributed to many different composers. Some people thought John Reading or his son composed it. Others suggested famous composers like George Frideric Handel or Christoph Willibald Gluck. Marcos Portugal and John IV of Portugal have also been given credit. Thomas Arne, who knew Wade, is another possible composer. There were many similar tunes around that time. It's hard to know if they copied the hymn, or if the hymn was based on them.

How It Was First Published

The hymn was first printed in John Francis Wade's collection Cantus Diversi in 1751. It had four Latin verses and music written in an old style called square notation. This early version was in a different rhythm than modern ones. It also appeared in other church books later on.

The song became known as the "Portuguese Hymn" for a while. This happened after the Duke of Leeds heard it sung at the Portuguese embassy in London in 1795.

The Meaning of the Lyrics

The most common English version of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" combines translations by Frederick Oakeley and William Thomas Brooke. It was first published in Murray's Hymnal in 1852. The lyrics invite everyone to come to Bethlehem to see Jesus, who is called the "King of Angels" and "Christ the Lord." They speak of God becoming human and the angels singing praises.

Additional verses were composed later in the 1700s. These verses describe shepherds coming to the cradle and wise men (Magi) bringing gifts. They also talk about embracing Jesus, who was born poor in a manger.

A Secret Message Theory?

Even though the hymn is widely known as a Christmas carol, some historians have suggested it might have had a secret meaning. This idea comes from the life of John Francis Wade, who first published the song. Wade lived in France because of political events in England. His books sometimes had pictures that supported a certain political group.

Professor Bennett Zon from Durham University proposed this theory. He believes the original Latin song was a coded message. For example, some think "Bethlehem" might have been a secret code word for England. Also, the phrase Regem Angelorum ("King of Angels") might have been a clever play on words. It could have secretly referred to the "King of the English."

However, there are reasons why this theory might not be true. There is no clear proof that Wade wrote the hymn as a political message. It's possible the political pictures in his books just showed his personal beliefs. Also, we don't know for sure if Wade wrote the hymn himself or just copied it from older sources. Most of the song's original words are about Christian beliefs, which suggests it was written for religious worship.

Where the Carol is Sung Today

When "O Come, All Ye Faithful" is performed, sometimes certain verses are left out. This might be because the song is very long, or because some words fit better on specific days. For example, a special verse is usually only sung on Epiphany.

In the United Kingdom and the United States, the carol is often sung using an arrangement by Sir David Willcocks. This version was first published in 1961. It includes a special high vocal part (called a soprano descant) and a unique harmony for the organ in some verses.

This carol is traditionally one of the last hymns sung at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. This famous event takes place at King's College, Cambridge. It is also the final anthem sung during Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Images for kids

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  Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, Warwick Street

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  The earliest known printed version of "Adeste Fideles"

See also

In Spanish: Adeste fideles para niños

• List of Christmas carols