Ye Faithful, Approach Ye

For Christmas

Words: Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade (c. 1711/2-1786), circa 1743/4

Translator: Canon Frederick Oakeley, Alt.
Other Translations: Adeste, Fideles Translations

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

Source: Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica: containing all the hymns of the Roman breviary and missal, with others from various sources : arranged for every day in the week, and the festivals and saints' days throughout the year : with a selection of hymns, anthems, and sacred poetry, from approved sources. (New York: E. Dunigan and Brother, 1851), pp. 350-351.

See: Notes on Adeste Fideles

Ye faithful, approach ye,
Joyfully triumphing;
O, come ye, oh, come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold ye
Born the King of angels:
    Oh, come, let us worship,
    Oh, come, let us worship,
    Oh, come, let us worship Christ the Lord.

True God of God,
True Light of Light,
Lo, He disdains not the Virgin's womb.
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
    Oh, come, let us worship, &c.

Sing alleluia,
Let the courts of Heaven
Ring with the Angel-chorus, --
Praise the Lord,
Glory to God in the highest:
    Oh, come, let us worship, &c.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesu, to Thee be glory given:
Word of the Father
In our flesh appearing:
    Oh, come, let us worship, &c.

Note:

This version was added to the American Edition of Caswall's Lyra Catholica, 1851, together with the note: "The following version is added as better adapted for singing than that in the Sacred Year at page 296." See: Oh, Come! All Ye Faithful!

The name of the translator was not provided, although it is clearly adapted from Canon Oakeley's first translation, Ye Faithful, Approach Ye (1841).

The Preface by the American Editor indicated that additional materials had been added to the complete original from Rev. Caswall, including hymns and anthems from

• "Jesus and Mary, or Catholic Hymns," by Rev. F. W. Faber (London, 1849)
• "Hymns of the Heart," by Matthew Brydges, Esq.
• "The Catholic Choralist," by Wm. Young (Dublin, 1842)

First three verses also found in Richard Challoner, Bishop of Debra, The Garden of the Soul, or, A Manual of Spiritual Exercises and Instructions (1874), p. 349.

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols