"O Come, All Ye Faithful" (originally written in Latin as Adeste Fideles) is a Christmas carol that has been attributed to various authors, including John Francis Wade (1711–1786), John Reading (1645–1692), King John IV of Portugal (1604–1656), and anonymous monks. The earliest printed version is in a book published by Wade, but the earliest manuscript bears the name of King John IV, and is located in the library of the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa. A manuscript by Wade, dating to 1751, is held by Stonyhurst College in Lancashire. So like many of the other carols we've learned about this month, no one really knows who wrote it- it's that old!
The English translation of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" was written in 1841 by the English Catholic priest Frederick Oakeley and this is the version most people are familiar with. The most popular melody is a tune that was recorded in the English Hymnal of 1906, but the original song is also attributed to a number of different people. John Reading, John Francis Wade, Thomas Arne, George Frederick Handel and Gluck are listed among the possible composers.
It looks like Rosie, JoJo, Pip and Petunia have found the perfect setting to illustrate this beautiful Christmas carol and you are being invited to join them!
Thanks you my friends! We're having a grand time with the grandsons! I will catch up with you when I can. Thanks for your patience!