O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles): Lyrics and History

“O Come, All Ye Faithful,” in Latin Adeste Fideles, is the great processional hymn of Christmas, inviting all the faithful to come to Bethlehem and adore the newborn King. It was born in the Catholic world of the eighteenth century and is now sung by Christians everywhere. Below are the English lyrics in Frederick Oakeley’s translation, the Latin original, the hymn’s history and meaning, and when it is sung.

The lyrics in English

Frederick Oakeley’s translation, as printed in The Army and Navy Hymnal (1920). The refrain “O come, let us adore him” is sung after every verse.

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;
(Refrain)
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye bright hosts of heaven above;
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
(Refrain)

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
(Refrain)
Amen.

The Latin original: Adeste Fideles

The Latin text as printed in the Catholic section of the same hymnal:

Adeste fideles, laeti triumphantes;
Venite venite in Bethlehem;
Natum videte Regem Angelorum;
Venite adoremus,
Venite, adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum.

En grege relicto, humiles ad cunas
Vocati pastores approperant:
Et nos ovanti gradu festinemus;
Venite adoremus,
Venite, adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum.

Aeterni Parentis splendorem aeternum
Velatum sub carne videbimus;
Deum infantem pannis involutum;
Venite adoremus,
Venite, adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum.

Pro nobis egenum et foeno cubantem
Piis foveamus amplexibus:
Sic nos amantem quis non redamaret?
Venite adoremus,
Venite, adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum.

History

John Francis Wade (1711–1786), an English Catholic layman who lived among the exiled English Catholics at Douai in France and earned his living copying music, wrote out the earliest known manuscripts of the hymn in the 1740s. He is usually credited with the words and perhaps the melody.
The “Portuguese Hymn”: in the 1790s it became famous in London at the chapel of the Portuguese Embassy, one of the few places Catholics could worship openly, and was long known by that name.
Frederick Oakeley (1802–1880), an Anglican priest who became a Catholic in 1845, made the English translation in 1841; it was published in 1852 and became the standard version.

What the hymn means

The hymn is an invitation, like the angels’ to the shepherds: come to Bethlehem, see the King of angels born, and adore him. The Latin verses go further: the shepherds leave their flocks and hurry to the crib, and we too hasten “with joyful steps”; we shall see the eternal splendor of the Father hidden in flesh, God as an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. The refrain, “Venite adoremus,” is the heart of Christmas: adoration.

When is it sung?

At Christmas Masses, often as the entrance procession at Midnight Mass. See Christmas Mass.
At Christmas carol services and Benediction during the Christmas season.
Through the Christmas season until the Baptism of the Lord. See the Epiphany.

Frequently asked questions

What does Adeste Fideles mean?

“Come, faithful ones,” the first words of the Latin hymn.

Who wrote O Come, All Ye Faithful?

The Latin hymn is usually credited to John Francis Wade (around 1743); the English translation is by Frederick Oakeley (1841).

Is O Come, All Ye Faithful a Catholic hymn?

Yes, it comes from eighteenth-century Catholic circles, and it is sung today by Christians of all traditions.

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Texts and sources

English: Frederick Oakeley, as printed in The Army and Navy Hymnal (1920), no. 36, public domain (Wikisource).
Latin: The Army and Navy Hymnal (1920), Catholic section, public domain (Latin Wikisource). Small transcription corrections are listed in our text log.