For Those Few of You Who May Remember...

as I do, the original version of "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" was written in Latin (not the most common of communication languages today), and is generally accepted to have originated around the 13th century. There is some discussion over who originally authored the piece - John of Reading, or John Francis Wade. The earliest existing manuscript, showing both words and tune, is attributed to Wade in 1751. For your enlightenment and enjoyment, both versions follow. (I wouldn't be surprised if the Latin version wasn't used yet today by Catholic choirs - the Catholic Church is steeped in tradition, and seems to be relatively slow to incorporate/accept change):

Adeste, Fideles

		English Version: O Come, All Ye Faithful
Adeste Fideles Laeti triumphantes Venite, venite in Bethlehem Natum videte Regem angelorum Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Dominum Cantet nunc io Chorus angelorum Cantet nunc aula caelestium Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Dominum Ergo qui natus Die hodierna Jesu, tibi sit gloria Patris aeterni Verbum caro factus Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Dominum		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; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, O sing all ye bright host of heaven above; Glory to God, All glory in the highest; . O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Yea, Lord we greet thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. MERRY CHRISTMAS IN EITHER LANGUAGE!!