Be Present, Ye Faithful

For Christmas

Words: Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade (c. 1711/2-1786), circa 1743/4, with notes and music
Additional notes: Notes on Adeste Fideles
Translation: J. M. Neale, 1851
Other Translations: Adeste, Fideles Translations

Music: "Adeste fideles"
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Source: Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore, eds., Hymnal Noted, Part I. (London: Novello & Co., 1852), Part II (London: Novello & Co., 1856), #67 (#35 Common Edition), pp. 134-135.

Luke ii., 15. “the shepherds said one to another, Let us not go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.”

1. ^a Be present, ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
^b And hasten, and hasten, to Bethlehem ;
^c See in a manger the Monarch of Angels :
        ^d O come and let us worship,
        O come and let us worship,
        ^e O come and let us worship the Lord with them !

2. ^f God of God eternal, Light from Light proceeding, ^g
h He deigns in the Virgin's womb to lie :
ⁱ Very God of Very God, begotten, not created ;
        O come and let us worship,
        O come and let us worship,
        O come and let us worship the Lord on high !

3. ^k Say Alleluia, Chorus of the Angels,
^l Sing, Heavenly Citizens, joyously :
m Glory to God in the highest, glory;—
        O come and let us worship,
        O come and let us worship,
        O come and let us worship the Lord on high !

4. To Thee, Who wast born on Christmas Day of Mary,
ⁿ O Jesu, be praise eternally :
^o Word of th' Eternal Father, now Incarnate : ^p
        O come and let us worship,
        O come and let us worship,
        O come and let us worship the Lord on high !

Notes from The Words of the Hymnal Noted Complete With Scriptural References (London: J. A. Novello and J. Masters, no date, circa 1855), p.  41.

a. Zech. ii. 10. Return

b. S. Luke ii. 15. Return

c. Isaiah 1. 3. S. Luke ii. 15. Rev. xix. 13, 14. Return

d. Psalm xcv. 6. Return

e. Rev. iv. 9. Return

f. Heb. i. 2. Return

g. Rev. xxi. 23. Return

h. Isaiah lxvi. 7. S. Luke i. 31. Return

i. Psalm ii. 7. S. John i. 1, 2. Return

k. Rev. xix. 1. Return

l. S. John xiv. 2. Epb. ii. 19. Return

m. S. Luke ii. 14. Return

n. Rev. v. 12, 13. Return

o. Rev. xix. 13. Rev. i. 2. Ecclus. xxiv. 3. Return

p. S. John i. 14. Return

Sheet Music from Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore, eds., Hymnal Noted, Part I. (London: Novello & Co., 1852), Part II (London: Novello & Co., 1856), #67, pp. 134-135.

Sheet Music from Thomas Helmore, Accompanying Harmonies to the Hymnal Noted. Part I (London: Novello, Ewer and Co., and Masters and Son, 1852), Part II (London: Novello and Co., Joseph Masters and J. T. Hayes, 1858),  #67, p. 217.

Note: Words are identical in The Hymnal Noted, With Appendix. Revised and Greatly Enlarged, and Supplement. (London: J. Masters & Co., 1889), #35, pp. 36-37.

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