My Christmas Gift to You, Dear Friends

Some time back, I was astonished to find this breathtaking recording of the revered Irish tenor, John McCormack (1884-1945), singing the beloved 18th-century hymn, Adeste Fideles, and I have been saving it up as a Christmas gift to my dear friends in the blogosphere. McCormack was widely considered the best Irish tenor ever born and, in some respects, one of the three greatest tenors of all time.

McCormack began his wildly successful career in the Choir of Dublin's Cathedral and eventually became a naturalized American citizen and patriot. In this recording produced by the Victor Talking Machine Company, the bass voice belongs to another famous singer of the day, William F. Hooley. This recording dates from 1915.

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Latin

Adeste Fideles,
Laeti triumphantes,
Veníte, veníte in Bethlehem.
Natum vidéte,
Regem Angelorum:

          Veníte adoremus,
          Veníte adoremus
          Veníte adoremus Dóminum

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

Veníte adoremus,
Veníte adoremus
Veníte adoremus Dóminum

English

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethelehem;
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels:

           O come, let us adore him,
           O come, let us adore him,
           O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

God from God,
Light from Light,
Born of a virgin;
True God,
Begotten, not made:

           O come, let us adore him,
           O come, let us adore him,
           O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

__________