“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”: From Medieval Latin Hymn to Modern Favorite

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” was originally written in the 12th Century in Latin. It has been covered by hundreds of artists and remains popular today despite its Christian origins. In 1851, John Mason Neale translated the song from Latin to English. Thomas Alexander Lacy created a new translation in 1901; however, that version was not often used. In 1916, Henry Diane Coffin created yet another translation that contained two new verses and is popularly used. Do you think this song needed that many translations?

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Explanation

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” was originally written in Latin and translated into English in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. There were three English translations mentioned in the introduction. Then, in 1940, a full seven-verse English version was first used in the Episcopal Church.

Despite the numerous translations, all versions of the song use the same music. Probably the most significant version of the song is entitled “Veni Emmanuel.” This version of the song was embraced both because of a romantic interest in medieval, Latin texts and its beautiful poetry.

There are several significant musical linkages.  The song has been popular with an eclectic group of artists worldwide. First, Ottorino Respighi quotes the song in his 1927 melody. Second, Zoltan Kodaly wrote a Hungarian version based on the original hum. Third, Dmitri Barber quotes the song in his 1960 melody “Die Natali.” 

The original version of the song is available online. The eleventh-century version had five verses. The song appears for the first time in the seventh edition of Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum (Cologne, 1710). This hymnal was a major force in the history of German church music: first assembled by Jesuit hymnographer Johannes Heringsdorf in 1610 and receiving numerous revised editions through 1868, it achieved enormous impact due to its use in Jesuit schools.

The Covers of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” 

There have been multiple covers of the song, and you are more likely to hear it in the days right before Christmas. Some of the most noteworthy covers include:

• U2’s song, “White as Snow” from its 2009 release, No Line on the Horizon, takes its tune directly from the hymn.
• In 2000, the charity album It’s a Cool, Cool Christmas features a version by the Scottish Band Bach and Sebastian.
• A short version of the song appears on Halfords’ album Halfords III has the song as the third song on the album.
• World fusion artist Scott Jeffers Traveler recorded a great version on his  Old World Christmas album.
• The Punch Brothers released a cover version on their album, Holidays Rule, in  2012.
• Kelly Clarkson included the song on her 2013 Christmas album, Wrapped in Red.
• Punk Rock band Bad Religion had an upbeat version of the song on their 2013 album, Christmas Songs.
• Enya released English and Latin versions on her 2008 album, And Winter Came.
• Australian Christian rock band For God and Country featured a version of the song on their live 2017 Album, Christmas: live from Phoenix. As well as their 2020 studio Album Drummer Boy Christmas.
• Lorena McKennitt included a cover of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” on her eighth studio album from 2008 called A Midwinter Night’s Dream.

Conclusion

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is an ancient hymn that was written in Latin and translated into English in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. So ancient and new at the same time. It has been covered by numerous artists around the world, including recently. The song’s poetic nature makes covering the song very popular with an eclectic group of artists.