ADESTE FIDELES
ANONYMOUS
Called “THE PORTUGUESE CHAPEL HYMN.”
Tr. J. R. BESTE
[15th-16th Century]
HASTEN, ye faithful, glad, joyful, and holy,
Speed ye to Bethlem to honour the Word;
See there the King of angels is born lowly—
Oh, come and kneel before him;
Oh, come and all adore him;
Oh come, oh come, rejoicing to honour the Lord.
God of the Godhead, true Light unabated,
Mary the Virgin has borne the Adored;
True God eternal, begot, uncreated—
Oh, come and kneel before him;
Oh, come and all adore him;
Oh come, oh come, rejoicing to honour the Lord.
Sing, all ye angels, till echoes rebounding
Swell through your halls, for ever be heard;
‘Glory to God,’ through all heaven resounding—
Oh, come and kneel before him;
Oh, come and all adore him;
Oh come, oh come, rejoicing to honour the Lord.
Praise to the Infant, who this day descended;
Glory to thee, blessed Jesus adored;
Word, in whom two natures join, yet unblended—
Oh, come and kneel before him;
Oh, come and all adore him;
Oh come, oh come, rejoicing to honour the Lord.