Yup. It was originally written in Latin. I assume that the translator was trying to achieve a certain approximate meter and number of syllables per line while being accurate. My guess is that, precisely because this doesn't rhyme, it is a more faithful translation than several other familiar carols that *do* rhyme. For example, sometime look up the German of "Silent Night" and see how far our translation departs from accuracy--because it needs to rhyme. Similarly, there is some variation even among the rhyming translations of "Angels We Have Heard On HIgh" because of different decisions made in translating it from French into English while maintaining both rhyme and meter. The translator of Adeste Fidelis decided to be more...er...Fidelis. Merry Christmas!
Good to know! I did a little research and found a few American songs that do not rhyme. Simon and Garfunkel's "America" is one. Paul Simon wrote a few without rhyme. Anyone know of any others?
Anyone ever notice that this song doesn't rhyme?
ReplyDeleteYup. It was originally written in Latin. I assume that the translator was trying to achieve a certain approximate meter and number of syllables per line while being accurate. My guess is that, precisely because this doesn't rhyme, it is a more faithful translation than several other familiar carols that *do* rhyme. For example, sometime look up the German of "Silent Night" and see how far our translation departs from accuracy--because it needs to rhyme. Similarly, there is some variation even among the rhyming translations of "Angels We Have Heard On HIgh" because of different decisions made in translating it from French into English while maintaining both rhyme and meter. The translator of Adeste Fidelis decided to be more...er...Fidelis. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I did a little research and found a few American songs that do not rhyme. Simon and Garfunkel's "America" is one. Paul Simon wrote a few without rhyme. Anyone know of any others?
ReplyDeleteHa, I've never noticed that - it flows so well that it's irrelevant. Very cool.
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