This one is an extremely old Carol, first written in Latin during the middle ages. It is not known for certain who wrote the lyrics or the music though there is much speculation on the subject.
This song has such a "joyful and triumphant" tune that it fits perfectly with the lyrics. Extremely well matched.
Below I have put the original Latin and the English translation. When we were children we had a little children's Christmas hymn book with both English and Latin verses. I had the first verse in Latin memorized as did a couple of my siblings it was a really educational experience!
| ADESTE fideles laeti triumphantes; venite, venite in Bethlehem; Natum videte Regem Angelorum: | O COME, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant: o come ye to Bethlehem, come and behold Him, born the King of Angels. |
| R. Venite, adoremus, venite, adoremus, venite, adoremus Dominum. | R. O come let us adore Him; O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. |
| Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine, gestant puellae viscera, Deum verum, Genitum non factum. R. | God of God eternal, Light from Light proceeding, Lo, He deigns in the Virgin's womb to lie; God uncreated, very God begotten. R. |
| En, grege relicto, humiles ad cunas, vocati pastores approperant; et nos ovanti gradu festinemus. R. | Forsaking the sheepfold, to his lowly cradle, obedient and swiftly run the shepherd throng, with exultation let our footsteps follow. R. |
| Stella duce, Magi Christum adorantes aurum, tus et myrrham dant munera. Iesu infanti corda praebeamus; R. | Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring, offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh; We to the Christ Child bring our hearts' oblations. R. |
| Aeterni Parentis splendorem aeternum, velatum sub carne videbimus; Deum infantem pannis involutum. R. | The splendor Immortal, Son of God Eternal, now hidden in mortal flesh our eyes shall view. See there the Infant, swaddling clothes enfold him. R. |
| Pro nobis egenum et faeno cubantem, piis foveamus amplexibus. Sic nos amantem quis non redamaret? R. | For man poor and needy cradled in a manger, O let us in loving arms enfold Him fast! So true a lover shall we not requite Him? R. |
| Cantet nunc Io chorus Angelorum; cantet nunc aula caelestium, gloria in excelsis Deo. R. | Sing, choirs of Angels, sing in exultation, sing all ye citizens of heaven above, Glory to God in the highest. R. |
| Ergo qui natus die hodierna, Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Patris aeterni Verbum caro factum. R. | Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesu, to Thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. R. |
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