Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) ‎#597

597. O come, all ye faithful

1 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!

2 God from God, Light from light —
lo, he abhors not the virgin's womb!
Very God, begotten, not created. [Refrain]

3 See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;
we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps. [Refrain]

4 Led by the starlight, Magi, Christ adoring,
offer him incense, gold, and myrrh;
we to the Christ-child bring our hearts' oblations. [Refrain]

5 Child, for us sinners, poor and in the manger,
we would embrace thee with love and awe:
who could not love thee, loving us so dearly? [Refrain]

6 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation!
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above,
'Glory to God in the highest!' [Refrain]

7 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born for our salvation;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father now in flesh appearing. [Refrain]

[OR on Christmas morning:]
7 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father now in flesh appearing. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: O come, all ye faithful
• Author: J. F. Wade (1711-1786) (alt.)
• Adapter: F. Oakeley (1802-1880)
• Refrain First Line: O come, let us adore him
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: God's Church: Doxology, Glory to God
• Source: Adapters: and others
• Notes: Includes alternative final verse for Christmas morning. See also revised short version, 65.

Tune Information

• Name: ADESTE FIDELES
• Composer (attributed to): J. F. Wade (1711-1786)
• Arranger: W. H. Monk (1823-1889)
• Composer (descant) and Arranger: Christopher Robinson (born 1935)
• Meter: Irregular
• Key: G Major
• Source: Eighteenth-century melody probably by Wade; arranged mainly by Monk
• Copyright: desc. and arr. © Christopher Robinson
• Notes: Includes separate descant and arrangement for verses 6 and 7. For alternative descant and arrangement see 65.