I'm realizing I should have saved, "O Holy Night" for today...it was my Gram's all-time favorite, and today is her birthday. The last Christmas we celebrated with her was in 2002 and I am missing her a lot today.
Another Christmas song she loved was "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and that will be today's song. Also known as "Adeste Fideles," this song has some mystery surrounding its authorship (the most likely composer being John Francis Wade.) This song has been recorded by hundreds of artists, some of my favorites being Amy Grant, Bing Crosby, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Anne Murray, Martina McBride, Glad and Enya. (Can you believe Twisted Sister also recorded this song?!!)
** addendum: i just went on "spotify" and found a GAZILLION more versions: Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Celtic Woman, Chris Tomlin, Chris Rice, Matthew West and Phil Wickham are all amazing!! Even Take 6 and Weezer have great arrangements!!
What I love most about this song is the way the chorus is often sung in unison on the first line, with layers of harmony added with each line. I also LOVE singing alto on this song...
O Come, All Ye Faithful
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:
Chorus:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
Missing Gram too. Thanks for more inspiration.
ReplyDeletei love O Holy Night too. O Come All Ye Faithful was my dad's favorite. i miss him every time i hear it.
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