Adeste, Fideles Translations
Words: Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade (c. 1711/2-1786), circa 1743/4
Compiled by Dr. John Julian through 1907.
With additional, more recent translations.
Source: John Julian, A Dictionary of Hymnology. Second Revised Edition with New Supplement, John Murray, 1907. Reprinted in Two Volumes, New York: Dover Publications, 1972.
Translations in Common Use
1. Come, faithful all, rejoice and sing. Anon. Every Families Assistant at Compline, Benediction, &c., 1789. Later as Ye Faithful Souls Rejoice and Sing (Rayment, 1806) and as Ye Faithful, Come Rejoice And Sing.
2. Ye Faithful, Approach Ye. F. Oakeley. This is a translation of the English form of the Latin text, 1841.
3. O Come, All Ye Faithful. This form of Canon Oakeley's translation is the most popular arrangement of the Adeste fideles we possess. It first appeared in Murray's Hymnal, 1852.
4. Be Present, Ye Faithful. In Chope's Hymnal, 1854, and later editions, is Canon Oakeley's translation, re-written.
5. Approach All Ye Faithful. This translation by "C." is the Irvingite Hymns for the Use of the Churches, 1864, dates from 1845.
6. Oh, Come! All Ye Faithful! E. Caswall, 1st published in his Lyra Catholica, 1849, p. 250, and his Hymns and Poems, 1873, p. 146. In the American Edition of 1851, an additional version was added: Ye Faithful, Approach Ye.
7. Come Hither, Ye Faithful. This, as given in Schaff's Christ in Song, 1870, p. 37; and in the Prot. Episco. Hymnal, 1872, is E. Caswall's tr. with alterations.
8. O Come, All Ye Faithful. W. Mercer. This translations can be distinguished from others beginning with the same first line by the 3rd stanza, which reads, "Raise, raise, choirs of angels," &c. It was written for and first appeared in his Church Psalter and Hymn Book, 1854. In popularity it ranks next to the translation by Canon Oakeley, being found in many collections throughout English-speaking countries.
9. Be Present, Ye Faithful. J. M. Neale. Published in the Hymnal Noted, enlarged edition, 1858.
10. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Johnston's 2nd). Two translations, by J. A. Johnston, are given in his English Hymnal. Editions of 1st-1852 and 2nd-1856/3rd-1861. The First Edition, with the First Translation, is not yet available.
11. Draw Nigh, All Ye Faithful. Dr. Neale's translation re-written by J. Keble for the Salisbury Hymn Book., 1857.
12. O Come All Ye Faithful. J. Ellerton, written for and first published in Church Hymns, 1871.
13. Draw Near, All Ye Faithful. R. C. Singleton, in the revised edition of his Anglican Hymn Book, 1871.
14. Assemble, Ye Faithful. T. Darling, in his Hymns for the Church of England, 1861.
15. O Come, All Ye Faithful. This arrangement in the Westminster Abbey Hymn Book, 1884, is a cento compiled from the above translations.
16. Hither, Ye Faithful, Haste With Songs of Triumph. In the American Presbyterian Psalms and Hymns, Philadelphia, 1843, No. 174.
"These translations have as a rule much in common. The great variety is found in the rendering of the lines in st. ii., "Deum de Deo, Lumen de lumine." These are: --"
God of God, light of light. Oakeley.
True God of God, Light of Light Eternal. J. A. Johnston.
God of God eternal, Light from Light proceeding. J. M. Neale.
True God of True God, True Light of True Light. Cooke & Denton.
Very God of Very God, Light of Light Eternal. Chope's Hymnal.
Trough true God of true God, Light of Light Eternal. W. Mercer.
Who God of God is, Light of Light Eternal. J. A. Johnston.
God-head of God-head, True Light of the True Light. Gainsburgh Coll.
Godhead of Godhead, True light of True light. Dr. Irons.
God of God Almighty, Light of Light Eternal. Sarum Hymnal.
He, God of God, and Light of Light Eternal. J. Ellerton.
True God of True God, Light of Light Eternal. Thring's Coll.
Though God of true God, Light of Light Eternal. Irish Church Hymnal.
For He, God of God, He Light of Light Eternal. E. C. Singleton, 1871.
"These renderings show clearly that the majority of the translators had the Nicene Creed and not the Adeste fideles in their minds as they wrote. This is also the case with those translations which are not in Common Usage."
Translations not in Common Usage
1. Draw near, ye faithful Christians. Evening Office of the Church, 1760.
2. Ye Faithful, Come, Triumphant Come. Orthodox Churchman's Magazine and Review, Nov., 1805.
3. Raise We Our Voices to the Lord of Glory. Ashborne Collection, Uttoxeter, 1808.
4. Believers Assemble, Come With Songs To Bethlem. Dr. Sutton's Psalms & Hymns., Sheffield, 1807.
5. Ye Faithful, Triumphant Enter Into Bethlehem. Psalms & Hymns. Burnley, 1820.
6. Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful, Joyful Triumph Raising. Basil Woodd. Psalms & Hymns., 1821.
7. With Hearts Truly Grateful. Psalms & Hymns. Washington, 1830.
8. Oh ! Come Ye Faithful, And Your Homage Bring. J. Chandler, 1837.
9. O Come All Ye Faithful, Raise the Hymn of Glory. F. C. Huseubeth's Missal for Use of the Laity (3rd ed.), 1840.
10. Ye faithful souls, approach and sing. J. Meade. Selwood Wreath, 1841.
11. Approach, Ye Faithful, Come With Exultation. Jane E. Leeson. Christian Child's Book, 1848.
12. Approach, ye faithful, and with glad accord. Jane E. Leeson. Christian Child's Book, 1848.
13. Hasten, Ye Faithful, Glad, Joyful, and Holy (Also "O hasten, ye faithful.") J. R. Beste. Church Hymns, 1849.
14. O Come, All Ye Faithful. G. Rorison. Hymns & Anthems, 1851.
15. Oh Come, All Ye Faithful. R. Campbell. St. Andrew's Hymnal, 1850.
16. Ye Faithful, Approach Ye. W. J. Blew. Church Hymn & Tune Book, 1852.
17. O Christian People Come. I. Gregory Smith. Hymn Book for the Service of the Church, 1855.
18. Exulting, Triumphing, Come From Every Nation (Anonymous, No Date). Reprinted in Notes & Queries, 5th Ser. xi. p. 418.
19. O hie, ye believers, raise the song of triumph. Francis Trappes, 1865. So far, I've only been able to find the first verse, which was reproduced in Dom John Stephan, O.S.B., Adeste Fideles. A Study On Its Origin And Development (“Publications,” Buckfast Abbey, South Devon, 1947):
O hie, ye believers ! raise the song of triumph
O speed ye, O speed ye! to Bethlehem hie!
Born there, behold the Infant King of Angels
O come and let us worship
O come and let us worship
O come and let us worship the Lord our God!
20. Come, All Ye Faithful, Joyfully Triumphant. Anon. in J. F. Thrupp's Psalms & Hymns, 1853. Also from Thrupp is Ye Faithful, Approach Ye, The Holy Family Hymns (London: Richardson and son, 1860)
21. In Triumph, Joy, and Holy Fear. J. C. Earle. Shipley's Annus Sanctus, 1884.
22. Come, O Faithful, With Sweet Voices. C. Kent. Shipley's Annus Sanctus, 1884.
1907 Supplement from Julian
The following additional translations are listed:
1. Ye Faithful, Approach Ye, in the Altar Hymnal, 1884, No. 7, with translations of stanzas three through six by W. T. Brooke.
2. O Come, All Ye Faithful, in the Arundel Hymns, 1902, No. 23 with translations of stanzas 3, 5, 6 by J. O'Connor.
3. Be Present, Ye Faithful, in G. R. Woodward's Songs of Syon, 1904, No. 13, with translations of stanzas 3, 4, 6, based on the Altar Hymnal, 1884.
4. O Come, All Ye Faithful, in the New Office Hymn Book, 1905, No. 353, with translations of stanzas 3-6 based on the Altar Hymnal, 1884.
5. O come, all ye faithful, in The English Hymnal, 1906:
-
O Come, All Ye Faithful, No. 28, the ordinary form of the text translated by Oakeley, alt.; and
-
O Come, All Ye Faithful, No. 614, with the addition of translation of stanzas 3, 4, 6, based on W. T. Brooke in the Altar Hymnal, 1884.
Translations Not Included in Dr. Julian's List
1. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Translation by Sir Robert Prescott Stewart, ed., Church Hymnal. Fifth Edition (Dublin: Association for Promoting Christian Knowledge-Church of Ireland, 1889), #87, p. 79.)
2. Ye Faithful, With Gladness (Free translation by the Rt. Rev. Hugh T. Henry, ca. 1920, from Montani, St. Gregory Hymnal). Rev. Henry was also the author of four articles published in the American Catholic Quarterly Review, Volumes 39 and 40 (1914-1915).
3. Hither, Ye Faithful, Adoring, Triumphant. Thos. O. Summers, ed., Songs of Zion: a supplement to the Hymn-book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Revised and Enlarged Edition. (Nashville, TN: A.H. Redford, 1874), #6, p. 11.
4. Ye Faithful, Approach Ye, J. F. Thrupp, The Holy Family Hymns (London: Richardson and son, 1860), No. 110, pp. 147-148.
5. Come, All Ye Faithful, Join The March Triumphant, The De La Salle Hymnal for Catholic Schools and Choirs (New York: The La Salle Bureau, 1913), p. 5, with setting by Lerler.
6. Come, All Ye Faithful, The Westminster Hymnal (London: Washbourne, 1912)
7. Ye Faithful, Approach Ye (from Caswall, 1851)
8. O Come, All You Faithful-Hakes. Dr. Steve H. Hakes, Lyricology (2016); Used with permission.
9. O Come, All Ye Faithful. Translator not stated. A Selection of Carols, Pieces, and Anthems, Suitable for Christmas. (London: W. Kent and Co.; Penzance: F. Rodda, ca. 1872), p. 43.
Note: Dom John Stéphan observed:
Dr. Julian has given references to 27 different English versions, and this list is far from being complete. One or the other will be found in every Hymn Book in the English language, and the same remark applies to hymn books in other tongues. It is probably one of the very few hymns that has found its place in every collection of Christian hymns.
At this time, there are 49 "translations" of Adeste Fideles on this web site. I'm not sure how helpful another dozen or more translations will be, and for that reason I will not be actively seeking additional translations or adaptations that are in the Public Domain, although I will incorporate any new versions that I come across. See: Dom John Stéphan, OSB, The Adeste Fideles: A Study On Its Origin and Development (Buckfast Abbey Publications: Devon, 1947).
Translations On This Site
Be Present, Ye Faithful (Neale's Translation, Altered, Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church, Carol #25)
Come Hither, Ye Faithful (From Schaff’s Christ in Song, 1870)
Come, All Ye Faithful (from The Westminster Hymnal (London: Washbourne, 1912)
Come, All Ye Faithful, Join The March Triumphant (from The De La Salle Hymnal for Catholic Schools and Choirs (New York: The La Salle Bureau, 1913), p. 5, with setting by Lerler.)
Come, All Ye Faithful, Joyfully Triumphant (from Thrupp, 1853)
Draw Near, All Ye Faithful (R. C. Singleton)
Exulting, Triumphing, Come From Every Nation (Anonymous, No Date)
Hasten, Ye Faithful, Glad, Joyful, and Holy (J. R. Beste, 15th–16th Century)
O Come All Ye Faithful, Raise the Hymn of Glory (Husenbeth, 1848)
O Come, All Ye Faithful (translation by Edward Caswall, altered by Philip Schaff)
O Come, All Ye Faithful (translation by Frederick Oakeley and William Thomas Brooke)
O Come All Ye Faithful - Version 3 (The Customary Order of Verses from The English Hymnal, #614, 1906; the translations of Oakeley and Brooke)
O Come, All Ye Faithful - Version 4 (Translator Not Stated from JH Hopkins, Great Hymns of the Church)
O Come, All Ye Faithful. Translator not stated. A Selection of Carols, Pieces, and Anthems, Suitable for Christmas. (London: W. Kent and Co.; Penzance: F. Rodda, ca. 1872), p. 43.
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful, Joyful Triumph Raising (Woodd, 1821)
Oh ! Come Ye Faithful, And Your Homage Bring (translation by John Chandler)
O Come, All You Faithful-Hakes (Adaptation by Dr. Steve H. Hakes, Lyricology (2016); Used with permission.)
Raise We Our Voices to the Lord of Glory (from Woodcock, Select Portions of Psalms & Hymns, 1811)
With Hearts Truly Grateful (St. Basil's Hymnal, 12th Edition)
Ye Faithful, Approach Ye (Oakeley, 1841). Oakeley's original four verses, 1841.
Ye Faithful, Approach Ye (translation by Frederick Oakeley and William Thomas Brooke, The Altar Hymnal, 1885)
Ye Faithful, Approach Ye (from Thrupp, The Holy Family Hymns (1860).
Ye Faithful, Come Rejoice And Sing (Anonymous)
Ye Faithful, Come, Triumphant Come (Anonymous)
Ye Faithful, Triumphant Enter Into Bethlehem (Anonymous, 1807)
Ye Faithful, With Gladness (Free translation by the Rt. Rev. Hugh T. Henry, ca. 1920, from Montani, St. Gregory Hymnal, 1920)
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