Center For Church Music, Songs & Hymns
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ADESTE FIDELES
The origin of the hymn tune ADESTE FIDELES to which we sing "O Come, All Ye Faithful" is as unclear as the origin of the words of this song. The words and music appeared together in the earliest known manuscripts and therefore many believe the tune to have been written by John Francis Wade, who also penned the lyrics.
The tune's name comes from the first words of the Latin refrain, as it was originally written in the hymn. It was also know by other names including: Air of Reading, Old English Air, Oporto, and Portuguese Hymn.
Of these alternative names, Portuguese Hymn was the most common. The Duke of Leeds heard it at the Portuguese chapel in London, and assuming it had been written for the chapel, he always referred to the tune using that name.
The hymn tune ADESTE FIDELES is frequently used for the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" as well.