Hasten, Ye Faithful, Glad, Joyful, and Holy

For Christmas

Words and Music: Adeste Fideles, also called “The Portuguese Chapel Hymn”
John Francis Wade (c. 1711-1786), circa 1743 / 4
(and possibly as early as 1740)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Translation: J. R. Beste (15th–16th Century)
Other Translations: Adeste, Fideles Translations

Source: The Harvard Classics, Sacred Writings, Vol. II, "Hymns of the Christian Church," (New York: P. F. Collier & Son Company, 1909–14), pp. 567-8.

See: Notes on Adeste Fideles

1. Hasten, ye faithful, glad, joyful, and holy,
Speed ye to Bethlem to honour the Word;
See there the King of angels is born lowly—
Oh, come and kneel before him;
Oh, come and all adore him;
Oh come, oh come, rejoicing to honour the Lord.

2. God of the Godhead, true Light unabated,
Mary the Virgin has borne the Adored;
True God eternal, begot, uncreated—
Oh, come and kneel before him;
Oh, come and all adore him;
Oh come, oh come, rejoicing to honour the Lord.

3. Sing, all ye angels, till echoes rebounding
Swell through your halls, for ever be heard;
‘Glory to God,’ through all heaven resounding—
Oh, come and kneel before him;
Oh, come and all adore him;
Oh come, oh come, rejoicing to honour the Lord.

4. Praise to the Infant, who this day descended;
Glory to thee, blessed Jesus adored;
Word, in whom two natures join, yet unblended—
Oh, come and kneel before him;
Oh, come and all adore him;
Oh come, oh come, rejoicing to honour the Lord.

Note:

Also found with identical lyrics in Orby Shipley, ed., Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), #33, pp. 32-33.

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