14 December 2012

Adeste Fideles

Few things make me as proud of and happy with my Catholic heritage as the musical traditions that come with it. At Christmas particularly, traditional, Catholic hymns take me back to my youth and connect me with my family.


My favorite one is Adeste Fideles, especially when it's sung in Latin. Hearing a choir sing this song is one of the most exultant things there is. By the time the third time the refrain's repeated I'm reduced to a pool of tears and good intentions.


If you don't know the words, here they are:

Adeste Fideles,
Laeti triumphantes;
Venite, venite in Bethlehem;
Natum videte,
Regem Angelorum;

Refrain :
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum !

Deum de Deo,
Lumen de lumine,
Gestant puellae viscera;
Deum verum,
Genitum, non factum :

Refrain

Cantet nunc hymnos
Chorus angelorum,
Cantet nunc aula caelestium:
Gloria, gloria,
In excelsis Deo !

Refrain

Ergo qui natus
Die hodierna,
Jesu tibi sit gloria:
Patris aeterni
Verbum caro factum

Regardless of your religious traditions, or lack there of, I want to wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

3 comments:

  1. O'Holy Night is the one that does it for me. Merry Christmas, Paul, and all the best with the new job in the new year.

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  2. (I'm playing catch-up Paul, so please excuse me for bouncing all over the place with my various comments.)

    First all, I wish you and your family A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and am happy to learn that you are returning to your roots. Pennsylvania as you know gets cold, so remember to bundle up my friend. Living in Florida for as long as you have; the climate may take you awhile to get use to as I'm afraid you may have been spoiled my dear man. ºÜº

    Secondly may the many chapters of your future, be full and rewarding.

    Enjoyed the video performance. Warm hugs from 'the North'
    -Brenda-

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  3. I love it when it's in Latin too.

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